Incredible $1.9million gold mansion splits opinion with bizarre saxophone design
An incredible gold-plated mansion bizarrely built in the shape of a saxophone has gone up for sale for $1.9million - and has REALLY split opinion.
Known as 'TunnelRoad', the building features two massive gold towers and a curved centrepiece that all look like parts of a saxophone.
The luxury property in the affluent Berkeley Hills area in California was first built in 1996 and has been the topic of debate ever since.
Real estate blog Curbed gave it the dubious award of “Most Hideous of 2010,” in an end-of-year roundup.
Two giant gold towers that look like the popular woodwinds instrument can be seen from the front of the property, with more brass horn like structures at the rear of the property.
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The rear of the gold plated house (MercadoVisualz)Inside, the musical theme continues with the balcony railing shaped like treble clefs, used to indicate what pitch a piece of music is written in on a score.
Listing agent Derek Han told SFGATE that the musical theme used to style the house is no coincidence.
Derek Han said: "My understanding is it was designed for an amateur jazz musician."
The spacious interior (MercadoVisualz)The house was built in the wake of the Oakland Firestorm in 1991 which devastated the local area injuring 150 people and causing 25 deaths.
The cost to clean up the area was equivalent to $2.7billion in cash today.
According to a local legend, the architects found a saxophone among the debris of the fire during clean up operations, which inspired the shape of the mansion, reported the San Francisco Chronicle.
The grand main bedroom (MercadoVisualz)After the firestorm, developers saw an opportunity and began to build on the site.
Historically, the site has divided opinion and was even awarded the "Most Hideous of 2010" award by real estate blog Curbed.
"Wow, I absolutely love this," one person said.
"Too bad it's in Berkeley."
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Another added: "That exterior is bold as hell — not for everyone, sure, but it’s really well done.
One of the bathrooms (MercadoVisualz)Others were less sure, with one person simply saying: "This house blows".
Potential buyers looking for a five-bedroom, four-bathroom home can purchase it for a cool $1,997,000, which some consider a bargain in the extremely wealthy area it stands in.
Its listing on Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate reads: "Welcome to 1985 Tunnel Road - THE Saxophone House! Secluded in Berkeley Claremont Hill, this Tunnel Road Castle designed by Ace Architects is a stunning piece of art featuring some of the most whimsical looks.
"Built in 1996 for an amateur jazz player, you will appreciate the details throughout this home by its magnificent and magical presence, the swirling golden staircases, captivating curved balconies with treble-clef railings, and the massive striking saxophone towers. "
Other features of the property include "sweeping canyon views" of the Claremont Hills and a "gourmet kitchen with sub-zero refrigerator".
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