In the hills of Silicon Valley, one of Northern California's most extravagant private estates has changed hands for $70 million. This sale sets a new record, doubling the previous high of $35 million. Known as Villa de Verano, the Lake Como-inspired residence was commissioned by private equity investor Ted Kruttschnitt and his wife Alexia, taking six years to build. Completed around 2010, the estate, spanning over 12 acres, is a comprehensive homage to the Italian lake region, including terraced gardens, dramatic water features, and one of the most extensive private amenity collections in Hillsborough.
Although the buyer's name has not been officially released, the New York Post reported that the property may have been acquired by xAI co-founder Tony Yuhuai Wu. The estate combines luxury and extensive facilities in one of California's most exclusive locations.
The Main Residence and Outdoor Areas
At the heart of the property is the 12,404 square foot main residence, a three-storey house connected by a lift and designed around a blend of formal living areas and private amenities. Custom furniture and artworks fill the interiors, while dedicated areas include a fitness centre, a theatre, a games room, a spa, and a saltwater aquarium. Outside, the house opens to a series of covered and open-air patios, furnished for dining and relaxation. Tall arches, oversized lanterns, and floor-to-ceiling windows frame the outdoor spaces, with views extending over the surrounding pool and reflection pond to San Francisco Bay.
The patios surround various sides of the residence, creating multiple spots to step outside and enjoy the gardens, redwood grove, water features, or the broader views beyond the estate. Additionally, the property houses a 4,612 square foot guesthouse and a sports pavilion that spans two storeys, offering an upper viewing platform above a sunken tennis court. Surrounded by dedicated courts for pickleball, volleyball, badminton, bocce, horseshoe tossing, and shuffleboard, as well as a putting green, this area forms a self-contained retreat.
Extensive Leisure Facilities and Gardens
- —Price: $70 Million
- —Location: Hillsborough, California
- —Size: 12,404 square feet on 12.33 acres
- —Bedrooms: 6, Bathrooms: 7 full, 10 half
Behind the main house, cascading fountains extend through the landscape to a massive reflection pond, modelled after the Bellagio in Las Vegas. At the far end, an open-air pavilion sits directly on the water, framing views back towards the house and across the city. From this pond, paths branch off leading to an Asian garden with a koi pond, a rose garden, a redwood grove, and an English spiral mound. Other notable features include a 150-seat amphitheatre, an executive-length golf course, a 2,100-gallon saltwater aquarium, as well as a theatre, fitness centre, spa, and games room.
Villa de Verano ranks among the most opulent private residences in Silicon Valley, conceived with a scale and customisation rarely found in the Californian property market. Drawing inspiration from Lake Como, the stunning gardens, and the extensive list of amenities, the Kruttschnitts created a true legacy estate. However, as they spend most of the year in Palm Desert to the south, where they own a home at the Bighorn Golf Club, it no longer made sense for them to retain Villa de Verano. The sale offered the new owner the opportunity to acquire a property unlikely to return to the market anytime soon.
