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Pueblo Revival Home in Santa Fe with History, Culture and Craftsmanship

Just outside of downtown, the 12,208-square-foot home sits on 11 acres of landscaped property in New Mexico

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Listing of the Day

Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico

Price: $11.5 million

When Bob and Miryam Knutson first came across this 11-acre property just outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, the grounds and its large Pueblo revival house were in drastic need of an update. Once owned by timberland and wood-making company Weyerhaeuser’s heiress, Peggy Driscoll, the expansive Pueblo Revival home had previously been the sophisticated social center of Santa Fe’s opera community for many decades. However, after Driscoll’s untimely death in the 1980s, the home passed hands and slowly fell into decline.

"It was the most atrocious thing in the world," Mrs. Knutson said. Rooms were painted in primary colors, carpets were piled-up throughout the home and the property’s amenities, such as its private tennis court, were in "disastrous" condition, the couple said.

Yet despite its state, the Knutsons—who together ran the for-profit Education Management Company and have always been very involved in the arts community in Santa Fe—recognized the home’s strong architectural "bones," striking design, scenic grounds and convenient proximity to downtown Santa Fe. Noting they put a combined $18 million into the home’s renovation and acquisition, the Knutsons asserted they spared no expense in returning the home to its former glory.

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"We did what we do everywhere—which is we spend far more money than we should, because we think we’ll live there forever," Mrs. Knutson said.

High-quality craftsmanship shines throughout the interior, with exposed wood beams, textured wood plank floors and intricate carved corbels.

In keeping with traditional Adobe design, the home’s interior is completely devoid of right-angles. Adding to the home’s authenticity. Adobe experts and artisans finished the walls as they were traditionally done–rubbing them day-after-day until firm and smooth.

Although they repaired the tennis court and the home’s two guesthouses–even adding a third– the Knutsons were not originally keen on maintaining the pool. But when a friend from the local opera community showed them photos of it during the period when Driscoll lived there and told them that "most of the drunken parties ended in that pool" they were sold.

Thanks to its large size, multiple guest houses and recreational amenities, the compound is ideal for both families and soirees.

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Reflecting on the property’s unique blend of traditional Adobe design, sophisticated craftsmanship, listing agent Stephanie Duran of Barker Realty/ Christie’s International Real Estate said the home "wraps its arms around you."

Stats

Situated on 11 acres, the 12,208-square-foot main house has six bedrooms. In total, there are 10 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms on the property.

Amenities

In addition to various gardens and paths throughout the property, the home has a swimming pool, tennis court and three guest houses. The homeowners noted that some of the furniture could be available for an additional, negotiable price.  

More:For Traditional Pueblo Architecture, Santa Fe’s Historic Eastside Is Hard to Beat

Talking Point

Built in the 1930s, the home was first owned by New Mexico congressman and governor John Dempsey.

Agent: Stephanie Duran, Barker Realty/ Christie’s International Real Estate

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