Billionaire, philanthropist, and composer Gordon Getty has listed his historic villa, The Temple of Wings, in Berkeley Hills for $5 million, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
This stunning property, which Getty acquired decades ago alongside his late wife Ann, was built in the early 1910s and showcases classical Greek and Roman architectural elements. Its impressive fa?ade features 16 Corinthian columns that beautifully connect the gazebo to the lush gardens.
Visitors are greeted by a cobblestone driveway flanked by charming Parisian-style lamp posts, leading to an estate enveloped in verdant greenery and majestic trees. Situated at 2800 Buena Vista Avenue, the villa offers spectacular views of the Bay and its iconic landmarks from both the south and north wings.
Designed by renowned architect Bernard Maybeck in 1911, the open-air villa harmoniously blends indoor and outdoor spaces, having been updated for contemporary living while remaining conveniently close to the UC Berkeley campus.
Following the death of his wife in 2020, Getty made the decision to put the property on the market, as noted by Joel Goodrich of Coldwell Banker Realty. The property is being co-listed by Adrienne Krumins and Anian Tunney from Grubb Co.
At 90 years old, Getty, the son of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, shared in a statement, “Though it is time to say goodbye, The Temple of Wings will forever represent a serene place where beauty has time to rest before it blooms.”
The villa features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two dressing rooms, two expansive entertainment areas, a library, and eight balconies. Additional highlights include a well-equipped kitchen, a laundry room, a three-car driveway, a semi-circular gazebo adorned with Corinthian columns, and gardens on the south and east sides, all within 3,991 square feet on a generous 16,560-square-foot lot.
Originally constructed in 1914 for attorney Charles Calvin Boynton, his artist and educator wife, and their eight children, the home was a hub of artistic influence. His wife imparted dance theories and techniques learned from her friend, the legendary dancer Isadora Duncan, to the children of Berkeley.
When the Gettys purchased the villa, it had been unoccupied for several years. Ann Getty devoted herself to its restoration, incorporating numerous pieces of late 19th and early 20th-century art deco. Last year, over 400 items from The Temple of Wings were auctioned by Jonathan Rendell, Vice Chairman of Christie’s Americas, in New York.
As confirmed by Alameda County tax records, the property is designated as a historical landmark in Berkeley and is included in the California State Historic Resources Inventory. Gordon Getty also owns a mansion in San Francisco’s prestigious Pacific Heights neighborhood.
