BING CROSBY HILLSBOROUGH ESTATE FOR SALE

Anyone with funds to spare - you can own a part of Crosby history...

The Bing Crosby Estate
Hillsborough
Inquire for Price
11 Beds |
10 Full Baths and 5 Half Baths |
18,535 Sq Ft

A rare opportunity to own a piece of history, the Bing Crosby Estate is a grand French chateau-style residence originally built in 1929 (*per tax records). Nestled in the prestigious Lower North Hillsborough area, this remarkable estate spans approximately 13,635 square feet of finished space (per floorplan artist) and 18,535 square feet in total, including finished and unfinished areas. Situated on 5.38 acres, the property comprises four parcels:APN: 027-341-030 – 21,780 sq. ft. (0.5 acres)
APN: 027-330-490 – 36,590 sq. ft. (0.84 acres)
APN: 027-330-500 – 12,632 sq. ft. (0.29 acres)
APN: 027-341-070 – 163,437 sq. ft. (3.75 acres, house parcel)

The estate boasts 11 bedrooms, 10 full bathrooms, and 5 half bathrooms, blending timeless elegance with historic significance.

Commissioned by Lindsay Howard, son of a prominent Buick distributor, as a wedding gift for his bride Anita Zabala, the home was designed by celebrated San Francisco architects John Bakewell Jr. and Ernest Weihe. Bakewell was renowned for his work on San Francisco City Hall, while Weihe contributed to projects such as the San Francisco Hall of Justice and the Morrison Planetarium.

In 1938, after Howard’s marriage ended, his father, Charles Howard Sr., a Buick magnate and legendary owner of Seabiscuit, acquired the property. The estate once included a barn, horse stalls, an oval riding track, and a pasture where racehorses were rested between competitions at Tanforan and Bay Meadows.

The estate later captured the heart of Bing Crosby, one of America’s most beloved entertainers. A longtime friend of Lindsay Howard, Crosby had admired the home for years, particularly its racehorse portrait gallery and garage of classic Buick racing cars. In the early 1960s, after multiple ownership changes and subdivision of the estate, Crosby acquired the property as a surprise for his wife, Kathryn, fulfilling her childhood dream. In December 1965, the Crosbys moved in with their children Harry Lillis Jr., Nathaniel, and Mary Frances.

With Kathryn and John Scott Trotter (Bing’s musical director), the couple made extensive renovations, incorporating antiques from William Randolph Hearst’s collection. These additions included a wooden staircase banister, linen fold paneling, and custom furnishings. The estate was staffed by 10 employees, including English butler Alan Fisher, who previously served Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) and later worked for Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

The estate embodies the grandeur of 1920s French chateau architecture, with exquisite craftsmanship and period details preserved throughout. Notable spaces include:

Main Level:Grand Entry Hall – Featuring a stunning staircase and a powder room tucked beneath.
Smoke Room – Includes a built-in bar and a half bath.
Library – A stately space with rich wood paneling, a fireplace, and built-in bookcases.
Formal Living Room – Adorned with French doors, a grand fireplace, and chandeliers.
Formal Dining Room – Kathryn Crosby’s dining sanctuary, highlighted by a Venetian chandelier and hand-painted rose garden walls by artist Al Proom.
Kitchen & Service Areas – Featuring a pantry, prep room, vintage walk-in fridge, mudroom, and staff office.
Breakfast Nook – A charming space adjacent to the dining and kitchen.
Basement – Houses laundry facilities, storage, and a mechanical room.

Upper Levels:Primary Suite (Bedroom 2) – Features a vestibule, dual closets, his-and-hers baths, and a fireplace.
Additional Bedrooms (3-5) – Each with en-suite bathrooms and spacious closets.
Circular Room with Deck – A unique space, possibly once used as a private salon.

Staff Wing & Attic:Separate Staff Quarters – Includes multiple bedrooms and bathrooms.
Attic Suite – Features Bedroom 11 with a half bath, a large entertainment room with a pool table, and ample storage.

A Legacy of Elegance & Prestige

The Bing Crosby Estate stands as a timeless icon, steeped in history and prestige. From the legacy of Seabiscuit and Lindsay Howard to the grandeur of Bing Crosby’s legendary residency, this estate is a rare offering in Hillsborough’s most distinguished enclave. A true sanctuary of elegance, this is more than a home—it is a living piece of history...

SOURCE

MISSED NEWS: DECEMBER 1, 1997

Here is a news item written by journalist Carl Swanson which was published on December 1, 1997. It details a home that Bing's son Harry Crosby purchased...

Bing Crosby’s son, Harry Crosby, has just purchased the 12-room duplex maisonette that was owned by Anne McDonnell Ford Johnson, the ex-wife of Henry Ford II who died last year, for around $4.35 million, according to brokers currently dealing with the exclusive building.

Mr. Crosby, 39, is the elegant eldest son from Bing Crosby’s second marriage, to actress Kathryn Grant. (Mr. Crosby could not be reached for comment.) An avid golfer (like his father) and a man described by an acquaintance as “a wonderful and very attractive guy,” Mr. Crosby spent his youth performing on his father’s annual Christmas TV special.

Mr. Crosby’s maisonette, which can be entered from the lobby or the street, is described as “very grand” by brokers who have seen it, with “very comfortable servant’s quarters” and a “beautiful staircase.” Facing Fifth Avenue, at 64th Street, it just lacks the privacy that upper-floor apartments have. The 5,000-square-foot home was put on the market several months after Ms. Johnson passed away in March 1996. The maintenance is just over $5,000 per month.

Did he get a deal? Many consider the maisonette, a duplex apartment which begins on the street level and has private entrances, to be the great (relative) bargain in one of the city’s finest buildings. Even in a building as enviable as No. 834-where socialite Carroll Petrie, left, Greek shipping magnate George Livanos and Sotheby’s chairman Alfred Taubman are current residents, and Elizabeth Arden, John DeLorean and Rupert Murdoch are former owners-“you don’t have to be as rich to get [into the maisonette],” noted one broker familiar with the building. “And they cost half as much as upstairs.”

This year, all three maisonettes at No. 834 have been on the market. One sold at the beginning of the year for around $4.6 million and the third, which Mr. Livanos is trying to sell, is being offered for $4.85 million.

SOURCE

BING'S ESTATE: RANCHO MIRAGE

Here is a listing for Bing Crosby's estate at Rancho Mirage for anyone with extra money in their pocket...

Absolutely stunning! Indulge in this spacious ultra-luxe celebrity estate located in one of the most prestigious communities in the USA. The spectacular Bing Crosby Estate is a legendary home located in Thunderbird Heights, a private community in Rancho Mirage, Ca. This sprawling estate is well appointed for luxurious upscale living.

Bing Crosby himself enjoyed the Palm Springs lifestyle, including his love for golf, in this spectacular residence across from the Thunderbird Country Club that the actor-singer helped establish. Bing Crosby sold his golf course lot in 1952 and purchased the first house in what became Thunderbird Heights with his first wife Dixie Lee.

This luxury estate rests on the hillside in the center of Rancho Mirage in a luxury neighborhood filled with history, charm, and plenty of Hollywood celebrity intrigue.

Thunderbird Heights is and was the place to be for the rich and famous. Many infamous stories can be told about the playground of the Presidents and celebrities alike. (In fact, Rancho Mirage, where this home is located, is often referred to as the Playground of the Presidents).

This remarkable Rancho Mirage celebrity estate with approximately 7,000 square feet of luxurious living space is one of a kind. The home's elegant blend of custom-made furnishings and contemporary comforts and style along with every possible modern amenity ensure a relaxing visit.

The residence features accents from Asian influences starting with the foyer's 10 foot majestic front door to midcentury Hollywood film posters in the state-of-the-art movie theater with comfortable seating for six to eight people, and much more.

Pocket glass walls open the great room out to the lanai creating additional living space while enjoying the desert panoramic landscape in the distance. Sandstone flooring is laid throughout the entertainment and living areas to the pool including the billiards area and indoor wet bar. The pool table doubles as a ping-pong table as well.

The master suite includes approximately 1,400 square feet for pampered privacy and relaxation including a sitting area with fireplace and an ensuite spa-quality bathroom with a second outdoor shower surrounded by glass blocks for privacy.

Each bedroom has been thoughtfully and luxuriously appointed, each with an en suite bath. Two bedrooms share a second full size kitchen and a private entrance.

The kitchen and dining area feature modern Thermador appliances and all of the accoutrements for high style entertaining. Outdoor dining is also available with the BBQ kitchen island and patio dining area.

A spectacular pebble tech pool and spa with adjacent fire pits serve as a splendid centerpiece from nearly every room in this celebrity estate.

A putting green as the Crooner himself might have practiced on is also available. The home is updated with the latest technology and is the perfect celebrity estate to celebrate or to simply relax and indulge in this incredible home...

SOURCE