Back in 2020, billionaire developer Huang Kangjing thought he’d snagged a buyer for his historic Pasadena estate. Unfortunately, the sale fell through; now the place has returned to the market with listing agent Brent Chang of Compass, this time with a significantly increased ask of nearly $15 million.
Property records show Kangjing, owner of one of the top real estate construction conglomerates in Shenzhen, doled out $5.8 million for the century-old English Arts and Crafts-style mansion in 2012. He then undertook an extensive multimillion-dollar restoration in preparation for its appearance as the 2014 Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts. Since then, the residence has been occupied by his son and a former USC student, Ganyu Huang.
Originally built and designed in 1915 by noted architect Stiles O. Clements — best known for his work on the El Capitan, Mayan and Wiltern theaters in Los Angeles — at a cost of about $28,000, the property was enlarged in 1931 by architect Kenneth A. Gordon. Initially owned by carbonic acid and oxygen gas manufacturer Robert Philip Flint, it later served as the longtime home of Philip Chandler, son of Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler.
Resting on a flat, heavily wooded parcel of just over 3.5 acres in West Pasadena’s affluent South Arroyo neighborhood, the timber-framed main house has seven bedrooms and 10 baths in nearly 10,000 square feet of lavish living space boasting wood-paneled walls, wood-beam ceilings, quarter-sawn oak floors and leaded glass windows. Several out-buildings include a carriage/slat house crowned by a one-bedroom guest suite with a kitchenette and sitting room, greenhouse, aviary and river-rock artesian spring house.
Gates open to reveal an entry garden, and then steps and a brick-inlaid walkway with an aged finish lead to the solid wood front door, which opens into a double-height entry hall displaying a winding staircase. From there, an expansive redwood-clad great room boasts a custom wet bar, oversized fireplace with a mosaic-trimmed wood mantle and banks of windows overlooking garden views.
Other highlights include a formal dining room sporting walls clad in a palm green hue, and an elegant light-filled living room accented with shades of white, taupe, cream and beige. A sizable gourmet kitchen is outfitted with an eat-in island, Viking appliances, a French door oven and an adjacent breakfast nook; and upstairs, the sumptuous master suite offers a marble fireplace, plus a luxe bath equipped with a Picasso tub and glass-encased shower.
Especially standing out are the picturesque grounds, which include a sprawling backyard hosting an al fresco dining patio flanked by a fireplace and an outdoor kitchen with a built-in barbecue. Rounding it all out are a pool and raised spa, sunken fire-pit area, tennis pavilion, sports court, terraced rose garden and lily pond.
