Pebble Beach Nirvana: The Firestone Mansion, Built on Tires, Where Andrew Firestone Might Appear Any Given Second

Pebble Beach real estate is just the epitome, the uber pinnacle, of second home gratification.

When you look at this home, I want you to realize that it is built on tires. Rubber tires, millions of them. The Firestone Mansion, or 1491 Bonifacio Road in Pebble Beach, California, has a great history behind it tied to one of the nation’s prominent families of great fortune, the Firestones. It was built by Leonard Kimball Firestone, who was the son of Harvey and Idabelle Smith Firestone of Akron, Ohio, and the man who started the tire company bearing his name. Leonard graduated from Princeton — he played golf and polo — and then went to work for Firestone Tire and Rubber Company for years. In 1943, Leonard, who was born in 1907, was named president of Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. of California. In 1966 he was the target of a multi-million dollar kidnap plan that, thankfully, was aborted. He was active in California Republican politics, close to Nelson Rockefeller, the Gerald Fords, etc. and in fact was co-founder of the Betty Ford Center. Firestone also had a ranch in Rancho Mirage, and he developed vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley in 1972. 

I am not sure if Mr. Firestone actually built this home, or purchased it, but it was constructed in 1990 and he lived here a long time. He died in Pebble Beach on Christmas Eve in 1996. In any case, I toured the home, listed for $8,900,000 last month when I was at Concours. All I can say is hands down this is the most gorgeous home I have ever been in, and I have been in, gosh, hundreds of gorgeous homes. 

Pure, sheer indulgence in every room, every inch, every foot. There are 8,390 square feet on 1.07 acres overlooking the coast, smack dab right there. (And just a brisk hike to the Lodge at Pebble Beach, too for golf.) Each room of this  spectacular Italianate style villa has a perfect view of the water, not to say elegant, incredible design. (Check out the front winding staircase, all marble, and the ceiling in the foyer!) There are six bedrooms suites,  2 offices, a full wine cellar, elevator, gourmet kitchen and enormous, elegant dining room. Oh how I wish those walls could talk! But the best part, for me at least, was the never-ending formals, all leading to sunny terraces and verandas on which to dine, drink Napa wine and soak up the sun.  All on over an acre of pure privacy — I am sure the Firestones felt incredibly safe here, as Pebble Beach is a gated community. 

My other favorite: the elegant walkway to the home’s front door. I shot a video — I’ll try to get it up but meantime, do feast your eyes on the photos. And if anyone wants to co-buy a second home in Pebble Beach, holler at me!

Oh! Reality TV star Andrew Firestone is the grandson of Leonard Firestone.

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