Silicon Valley Pioneer Selling Longtime California Home for $21M

Almost two decades ago, Dale Fuller, one of Silicon Valley’s first-generation entrepreneurs, purchased a home in Menlo Park, California, to be close to the venture capital companies and headquarters of tech giants.

Sitting on almost one acre, the house was one of five uniquely designed French chateau-style houses on Robert S. Drive, built in the 1940s for the prominent San Francisco capitalist Robert Steven Moore, Mr. Fuller said.

"It was the largest piece of property available in the center of Silicon Valley, close to Stanford University and 80% of the venture capitalist companies," he said, "And I liked the architecture."

However, the estate wasn’t exactly in a perfect condition. After spending $4.15 million to purchase the property in 1999, Mr. Fuller, 60,invested a lot more money to remodel it over the next four years.

"We really followed the original design to keep the same look, but we added the second floor, the basement and gut-renovated the interior," he said.

He was personally involved in all the design and construction, paying attention to all the details down to each corner.

"I had an 80-year-old, 23-color slate from upstate New York used for the entire roof. It’s really unique," Mr. Fuller said.

The 9,585-square-foot mansion has six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, grand living and dining rooms, a European-inspired gourmet kitchen, as well as a temperature-controlled wine cellar.

The park-like grounds have a pavilion pool house with a stone fireplace, kitchenette, iron fixtures and multi-retractable glass doors opening to the gardens and pool area.

"It is rare to find a home in Silicon Valley that has true historic roots and boasts luxurious details and finishings that the discerning buyer expects," said Billy McNair of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Northern California, who is handling the off-market sale.

Mr. Fuller, known for founding internet-service company WhoWhere? Inc. and his wife, Jennifer, decided to sell the home as their children are now grown. They are asking $21 million.

"Our family has thoroughly enjoyed all that this exquisite home has offered us over the years," Mr. Fuller told Mansion Global. "We are excited to open another chapter of this home’s story to a new owner."