Pasadena has no shortage of architectural gems, but every once in a while a property comes along that stops the conversation cold. The Bauer/Cannell Estate — a 1928 Monterey Colonial designed by Reginald D. Johnson — is one of those properties.
Set on five sprawling acres in the middle of Pasadena, the estate has been owned by only two families in nearly a century, shielded from time and change like its own private world.
And now it’s back in the spotlight in a major way.
Recently reimagined as the 2025 Pasadena Showcase House of Design, the estate became a month-long playground for 30 top designers who gave its historic bones a fresh, modern mood. Think restored architectural details, bold room makeovers, lush gardens brought to life again — all without losing an ounce of Johnson’s original grandeur.
Freshly listed for $22 million, the home sits amidst 5 acres of landmarked gardens
With five acres of landmarked gardens, a pool and pool house, a north-south tennis court, a sweeping motor court, and eighteen grand rooms — ten featuring wood-burning fireplaces — it feels like one of those once-in-a-generation Pasadena moments.
Now listed for $22 million, the estate is officially ready for its next chapter. Ted Clark and Heather Lillard with Compass hold the listing.
The property at a glance
- Address: 1220 Hillcrest Ave, Pasadena, CA
- Price: $22,000,000
- Architect: Reginald D. Johnson
- Beds/Baths: 5 beds, 13 baths
- Size: 15,533 sq ft
- Agents: Ted Clark & Heather Lillard, Compass
- Notables: Five acres, historic gardens designation, contributing property in the proposed National Register Historic District, 2025 Pasadena Showcase House of Design
An estate with a century of history baked in
Johnson’s Monterey Colonial architecture gives the home its signature presence — a long, elegant façade, brick cladding, balconies, symmetry, and an undeniable Pasadena polish.
Nearly 100 years after it was built, the estate still carries that sense of occasion the architect was known for, with restored millwork, deep-set windows, and fireplaces anchoring almost every important room.
A sweeping staircase sets the tone
The double-height entry hall is Johnson at his grandest: curved millwork, a graceful staircase that rises in a slow arc, and large-scale mural accents that give the space a modern Showcase House twist. It’s a room meant for arriving — and making an entrance.
The formal living room brings the drama
With its pale blue walls, intricate coffered ceiling, oversized fireplace, and the kind of proportions you rarely see anymore, the living room is a true showpiece. Designers leaned into the architecture with soft textures and sculptural lighting that amplify the room’s already-stately presence.
A reimagined kitchen built for serious scale
The kitchen spans an enormous footprint, anchored by dual marble-topped islands and framed by custom wood cabinetry.
Oversized geometric pendants give the room a fresh edge, while the layout flows straight into a large family room — perfect for modern living without disrupting the historic bones.
The family room keeps things relaxed
Off the kitchen, the family room introduces a more casual energy with painted built-ins, a large brick fireplace, and French doors that open toward the grounds. The wood floors and clean-lined furnishings keep the space grounded while still feeling elevated.
Powder rooms with personality
Showcase designers went all in on the secondary spaces, including powder rooms wrapped in elaborate, mural-style wallcoverings and warm tones. Original detailing meets whimsical new finishes — the kind of transformation Showcase House fans expect every year.
A designer lounge that mixes softness with sculptural lines
One of the home’s more relaxed entertaining spaces leans into curved silhouettes, layered textures, and warm neutrals.
Upholstered seating, tailored drapery, and detailed millwork give the room a refined edge, while playful statement pieces add energy without overwhelming the architecture. It’s the kind of space that easily shifts from daytime reading to evening cocktails.
A Showcase House–ready bar with custom detailing
The bar area brings serious personality, pairing rich cabinetry with brass accents and patterned backing that nods to classic botanical motifs.
The marble counter softens the mood, while the built-in shelving creates a focal point that feels both modern and rooted in the home’s historic formality. It’s a standout example of how designers gave traditional rooms a fresh spin.
An elegant dining room scaled for grand gatherings
The formal dining room stretches across a generous footprint, framed by oversized wall treatments and a sleek contemporary chandelier.
A long table anchors the space, emphasizing volume and symmetry while allowing the surrounding details — custom paneling, a refined fireplace, and wide-plank floors — to shine. The result is equal parts timeless and newly reimagined.
A library steeped in color
One of the boldest Showcase House moments lives in the paneled library, where saturated terracotta walls, patterned ceiling paper, brass lighting, and built-in shelving give the room a richly layered look. It’s warm and moody, but still refined — exactly the kind of space estates like this do so well.
A spacious primary suite with its own retreat
The primary bedroom is all about volume and ease, offering space for a seating area and direct access to a sun-filled private room framed by shelving. It has the feel of a quiet escape within the larger estate.
A spa-style bath with terrace views
The primary bath carries a sense of grandeur with its patterned flooring, freestanding soaking tub, long double vanity, and access to a balcony that overlooks the grounds. Brass fixtures and subtle stone detailing layer in warmth.
An upper landing with mural views and gallery moments
At the top of the staircase, the landing becomes a destination of its own. Designers highlighted the curvature of the walls with vivid, hand-painted-style murals and warm metal accents overhead.
The open railing and elevated vantage point emphasize the estate’s scale.
A richly saturated dressing room built for display
One of the boldest transformations can be found in a dressing room wrapped in deep color, from the millwork to the ceiling. A large central island offers practical storage, while inset scenic panels introduce quiet storytelling.
The space feels tailored and dramatic — a confident design statement that still aligns with the estate’s traditional framework.
Gardens that feel like a private park
Five acres in Pasadena is rare enough — but five acres with formal parterres, rose gardens, oak groves, and olive trees arranged in a historic landscape plan is something else entirely.
The grounds were recognized in Pasadena’s survey of Historic Gardens and continue to embody that quiet, old-world beauty.
A pool and pool house tucked into the terraces
A brick-lined staircase leads down to the pool area, where a curved pool house creates a sense of enclosure. With its arches and symmetry, it mirrors the estate’s architecture while adding a more relaxed, resort-like moment.
A classic tennis court hidden under a canopy of trees
Low on the hillside, the north-south tennis court sits under mature trees — the kind of private, shaded setup that makes outdoor recreation especially appealing here.
A motor court built to impress
A sweeping circular drive leads to a large motor court and a ten-car garage — a rarity even among Pasadena estates. There’s also a guest house set discreetly off the main drive, adding to the sense of a fully realized compound.
A historic estate reintroduced for a new era
After nearly a century, the Bauer/Cannell Estate has been restored, redesigned, and reintroduced — still unmistakably Reginald D. Johnson, but now layered with fresh ideas from some of California’s leading designers.
With its architectural pedigree, Showcase House spotlight, and park-like acreage, it stands out even in a city known for its architectural heavyweights.
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