1998

HOUSE OF DESIGN

The Estate and Its History

The 1998 Pasadena Showcase House of Design is a magnificent 1915 Palladian villa designed by famed architects Sylvanus Marston and Garrett Van Pelt. The home of many famous and infamous characters, both fictional and real, it is a two story seventeen room residence built at the then extravagant cost of $50,000.
Cloistered behind a gated entry and at the end of a tree-lined 100 yard driveway, the house was originally situated on a nine acre parcel of land stretching from Rosalind Road to Lombardy Road. Six full time gardeners were employed to maintain the grounds and its celebrated seven gardens.

Fans of the Dynasty television series will no doubt recognize the outdoor setting of one of the show's most memorable events. The peaceful reflecting pond gained notoriety as the site of Alexis Carrington's legendary underwater submersion by her rival, wife of the famous financier, Blake Carrington.

Equally wealthy, the original owner of the property, William Kennon Jewett, was a native of Youngstown, Ohio. Heir to a railroad fortune, Mr. Jewett made another fortune as President of the London Mines Company of Colorado, one of the largest gold mines in the country. Although prominent in early Pasadena society, Mr. Jewett and his second wife, Elise Stewart of Philadelphia, entertained in a more decorous manner, hosting musical evenings in the "garage" which housed a large ballroom and five two-room chauffeur's apartments. The garage was demolished in 1948 by a subsequent owner. The property was also subdivided leaving only the original house and a modernized four car garage on the current two and a half acre parcel.

In 1957, the house was sold to Coleman and Jane Morton who added the tennis court and swimming pool. Mr. Morton was the President of Capital Research Company of Los Angeles and owned the property until a few years ago.

The Morton family shared their exquisite home with countless television and movie fans. The estate has been featured in the Marx Brothers movie "Duck Soup," Paramount Pictures, "Terms of Endearment," and a host of television programs including "Knots Landing," "Hart to Hart," and "Remington Steele."

Blending the beauty and glamour of the 1998 Pasadena Showcase of Design with the exploits of some very engaging fictional characters brings a new dimension to this classic example of early Pasadena architecture. Graciously reminding us of a grand and luxurious lifestyle, it continues to intrigue and enchant millions of viewers, whose memories are rich in stories told and re-created in this elegant home.