A historic Pasadena property with deep roots in California’s early 20th-century botanical beauty has been listed for $3.9 million. Built in 1936, the English country-style home sits on what was once the original Busch Gardens, a lush 38-acre landscape created by Anheuser-Busch co-founder Adolphus Busch.
Unlike today’s theme parks bearing the Busch name, the original gardens were a botanical wonderland open to the public from 1906 to 1938 and once dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” When the gardens closed, portions of the land were transformed into upscale residential lots—this home is among them.
The 4,174-square-foot residence, nestled on nearly half an acre in the Lower Arroyo neighborhood, features four bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, a versatile flex room, and a loft. A two-car garage cleverly doubles as a half-court for basketball.
A major renovation in 2019 brought the home up to modern standards while preserving original details like Cuban mahogany wood floors and double-leaded French doors that open to rose-lined gardens and a serene patio.
Marketed by Compass agent George Penner, the home offers both spacious entertaining areas and cozy retreats. The property includes two primary suites and retains many of its 1930s architectural flourishes, making it a rare blend of vintage and contemporary.
Records show the current owners purchased the home in 2017 for $1.975 million from the estate of the late designer Richard Selje, a pioneer of the open-plan office and co-creator of the first L-shaped office desk. Selje and his family had lived in the residence for over 40 years.
Located just steps from Lower Arroyo Park and within two miles of the Rose Bowl, the property delivers not only privacy and greenery but also access to Pasadena’s most cherished recreational spaces.https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/on-the-site-of-the-original-
