Pacific blue

When the designer-builder of this home, Mitch Wiener, first visited the site, two things were clear. First, the location on San Francisco's upmarket Belvedere Island overlooking Golden Gate Bridge was world-class. Second, although the original 1980s residence was scheduled for demolition, there was scope to retain the lower two stories, which were built of reinforced concrete and steel to commercial standards.

Remodeling half the home was a greener alternative to shifting tons of unwanted building materials to landfill, says Wiener, who specializes in historic restoration.

"My concept was to work within the existing structural design and original footprint," he says. "I also wanted to draw on the Bay Area Contemporary aesthetic, with its emphasis on natural materials, and take it up several notches by using exclusive finishes not seen elsewhere."

Wiener had a clear picture of the prospective homeowner, who would be attracted by the subtropical microclimate of Belvedere Island, the proximity of the water, and the home's 60ft lap pool and private health spa.

"I envisioned this as a vibrant home, next to the water, where an international buyer could feel vital and alive. And as the outlook over the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge is the home's number-one asset, I've made the view the main focus of the rooms. I've also ensured that the walls not facing the ocean are suitable for hanging paintings I imagine this home would suit a collector of post-World War II art."

Wiener says that the choice of color palette came to him early in his planning. As the dominant color surrounding the home is the blue of the ocean and sky, he selected complementary hues warm neutrals of beige, off white, ochre and yellow.

The material palette is predominantly natural, with stone used throughout the home. Wiener has specified blue-gray Vermont slate for the roof and Midwest sandstone for the exterior masonry walls. Slabs of French limestone, granite and marble also feature throughout the interior.

Although this 11,000sq ft home is large at 3500sq ft the health club alone is comparable to facilities in a small European hotel Wiener has paid close attention to detailing. The interior iron railings, for example, are made of steel milled to precise dimensions and assembled using traditional methods, without any welding.

This is also a home that functions as a warm and welcoming domestic residence, despite its large volumes, says Wiener.

"I've compartmentalized the home so that the enormity of it is not overwhelming. The first two floors are complete, with the living spaces above and the bedrooms below. If you take the elevator or the stairs, you go down to the separate guest floor or the health spa you can live here without feeling as if you are in a ballroom."

For details, contact Mitch Wiener, phone (415) 457 1144 or Isobel Wiener of DB Sotheby's International Realty, phone (415) 456 0888, or visit the website: www.bestaddressbelvedere.com.

Story by: Trendsideas