LIFE BEYOND FIRST CLASS
ESTATES
ARCHITECTURAL
PRESENCE
High above rolling hills where the horizon softens and sunlight moves deliberately across the landscape, a contemporary estate in Los Altos Hills reveals itself as both refuge and revelation.
Los Altos Hills, California
$19,800,000
SAMANTHA GREENE
Designed by world-renowned architect Stan Field and built over years with uncompromising intention, the property is not a conventional California home—it is a deeply personal architectural statement shaped by vision, craftsmanship, and an insistence on excellence at every level.
For owner Ricki Alon, the journey began not with blueprints, but with a feeling.
“We were relocating from Beverly Hills and searching for something very specific,” Alon recalls. “We wanted serenity, privacy, incredible views, and access to excellent schools—but we also wanted a home that felt meaningful. This property gave us that immediately.”
Though the estate feels a world apart, its location is deceptively connected—less than two miles from a major thoroughfare and just fifteen minutes from Stanford University. That balance between seclusion and access became foundational to the home’s identity.
The selection of the architect was equally deliberate. After interviewing five firms, Alon and her family found many proposals felt templated—beautiful, but impersonal.
“We wanted something that was truly ours,” she says. “We weren’t interested in safe design. We wanted a house with presence.”
Stan Field came highly recommended, not just for his portfolio, but for his philosophy. Known for approaching architecture “from the soul,” Field spent extensive time on the land before drawing a single line.
“He didn’t impose a design on the property,” Alon explains. “He listened to it. He studied how the light moved, how the sun entered the site, how the views unfolded—and then positioned the home so sunlight would stream through it all day.”
The result is an estate of more than 10,000 square feet, where glass, stone, and metal define a language of strength and refinement. From the moment one enters, the home unfolds with continuity and flow—grand entertaining spaces, intimate retreats, and seamless circulation made possible by multiple staircases that eliminate bottlenecks and invite exploration.
“You never have to backtrack in this house,” Alon says. “There are always multiple ways to move through it, which makes it feel natural and alive.”
Throughout the interior, expansive windows dominate—not merely as architectural features, but as philosophy.
“We don’t like to feel closed in,” she says. “The windows were essential. They bring the outdoors in, and they frame the views we believed were possible when we bought the property. Even now, we’re still wowed by them.”
Materials were sourced globally, chosen without compromise. Stone, glass, and metal arrived from Italy, Germany, South Korea, and Israel—selected for quality rather than convenience. One notable example: custom butterfly glass doors, impossible to source domestically at the time, were commissioned from a German manufacturer accustomed to such precision.
“There was never a conversation about something being too expensive and finding a cheaper alternative,” Alon says. “It was always about what was right.”
Italy, in particular, played a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetic.
“Italian architecture challenges you,” she explains. “It has confidence. Strong lines. Strong colors. This house was using black in 2008 in a way that feels current now—it was ahead of its time.”
The stones themselves presented one of the most complex challenges. Too heavy to be mounted conventionally, they required specialized stonemasons flown in from abroad, who lived on-site until installation was complete.
“That level of craftsmanship mattered to us,” Alon says. “It wasn’t about speed. It was about doing it properly.”
Outside, the landscape is as intentional as the architecture. Full-sized evergreen trees were planted throughout, ensuring the property remains vibrant year-round.
“Falling leaves feel depressing to me,” Alon admits with a smile. “I wanted the property to feel alive in every season.”
The grounds are fully landscaped and layered with movement—water features, an infinity-edge pool, cascading elements, and even an indoor-outdoor koi pond. The effect is restorative, designed to evoke peace and quiet immersion.
“We wanted the house to function as a family home,” she says, “but also to feel like a retreat—like a resort you never want to leave.”
Family was, in fact, the guiding principle behind the scale of the home. With eight bedrooms, eleven baths, an elevator, and a guest residence added in 2022, the estate was designed to accommodate a blended family, visiting guests, and aging parents—all without sacrificing elegance or flow.
“This was never a spec home,” Alon emphasizes. “It was built to evolve through different stages of life.”
One of the most beloved spaces is the home theater—initially conceived as a luxury amenity, but unexpectedly transformed into the emotional center of the house.
“We weren’t sure how much it would be used,” she says. “Now it’s where we watch the news and educational programming with our grandchildren—it became the heart of the home. And it’s soundproof, so no one is disturbed.”
Sustainability and resilience were woven quietly into the design. Dual solar systems power both the home and the pool, radiant floors provide warmth without reliance on forced heat, and the absence of wood—replaced by stone, metal, and glass—creates a highly fire-resistant structure.
When asked what she hopes the next owner will feel upon entering, Alon pauses.
“I hope they feel that balance,” she says. “That it feels like home—but still delivers that wow factor. Contemporary homes can feel cold. Achieving warmth and grandeur together isn’t easy. We’re proud that this house does.”
Looking back over more than sixteen years, she finds no regrets.
“There’s nothing we would have done differently,” Alon reflects. “It addresses every need—from daily living to quiet moments to large gatherings. That’s what makes it timeless.”
And for whoever carries its story forward?
“Someone who appreciates attention to detail,” she says simply. “This house was built without compromise. It deserves someone who understands that.”
In Los Altos Hills, where privacy is prized and architecture speaks softly yet confidently, this estate stands as a living sculpture—an enduring expression of light, form, and the rare luxury of doing things exactly right.
Full address disclosed upon request.
Now offered at $19,800,000.
For more information or to schedule a private viewing:
Lisa M. Musich
Real Estate Agent
Compass
415.619.1426
Lisa.Musich@compass.com
Maryam
Real Estate Advisor
Compass
917.428.4600
Maryam@MMLuxuryRealty.com
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