1 minute read

Potter Daniels Manor

Originally named "El Roble" for the grand oak tree on its lawn, Potter Daniels Manor, designed by Joseph J. Blick in 1902 for Chicago socialite Gertrude Potter Daniels, served as the Daniels family's winter retreat.

Nestled amidst the verdant embrace of Pasadena, Potter Daniels Manor stands as a magnificent testament to timeless elegance and historical significance. Revered as the 2024 Pasadena Showcase House of Design and adorned with the prestigious designation of a Pasadena City Landmark, this exquisite estate bears witness to a bygone era of opulence and refinement.

Advertisement

Originally christened "El Roble" in homage to the majestic oak tree that once graced its front lawn, this architectural marvel was commissioned in 1902 by the esteemed Gertrude Potter Daniels, a luminary in Chicago's elite circles. Designed by the visionary architect Joseph J. Blick, Potter Daniels Manor emerged as a sanctuary of grandeur, destined to cradle the Daniels family amidst its embrace during the winter months.

Through the corridors of time, this stately manor has played host to dignitaries and luminaries, including the famed President Theodore Roosevelt, whose presence graced its hallowed halls.

However, it was under the illustrious ownership of Susanna Bransford Emery Holmes, fondly known as the "Silver Queen" for her husband's successes in the Silver King Mines, that Potter Daniels Manor underwent a remarkable metamorphosis. Inspired by her European sojourns, Mrs. Holmes embarked on a grand odyssey of architectural refinement, entrusting the artisans of the renowned Postle Company of Los Angeles to reimagine the manor into the brilliant English Tudor Revival Style masterpiece that stands today.

Beyond its high iron gates, on over an acre of meticulously manicured grounds, Potter Daniels Manor unfolds its majesty like the pages of a cherished storybook. Its façade, adorned with traditional brick, exudes an air of timeless romance, accentuated by the luminous dance of light through two-story leaded glass windows.

Crossing the threshold, guests are welcomed into a noble walnut-paneled foyer, where intricately carved banisters guide them towards the upper realms of opulence. On the first floor, a symphony of entertainment spaces awaits, from the banquetsized dining room to the stately living room, each exuding an aura of refined sophistication.

Ascending to the second floor, one discovers a sanctuary of tranquility and indulgence. The primary bedroom, adorned with a fireplace, sitting room, and bath, offers a haven of respite. A balcony presents sweeping vistas of northwest mountains, inviting contemplation amidst nature's grandeur.

With three additional bedrooms, each ensconced in its own luxury, Potter Daniels Manor stands as a beacon of Pasadena's architectural legacy, preserving its elegance and historical significance for generations to come to admire and cherish.

This article is from: