The Legacy Will Live...The Vanderlip Vision Endures
The Legacy Will Live...The Vanderlip Vision Endures
The majestic Villa Narcissa was built in the 1920s by Frank and Narcissa Cox Vanderlip. Frank Vanderlip was a bank president and former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, and was instrumental in the development of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. His consortium owned 16,000 acres of land at the time the Villa was built. The land was eventually developed, and now comprises the cities of Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates.
The Vanderlip Family recently sold the 11 acres of land and the 7,700 square foot mansion, situated above Wayfarer's Chapel and the Portuguese Bend Riding Club. The impressive Villa is a Mediterranean-style residence boasting classical art and architecture. The estate also boasts sweeping views of the sea and of Catalina Island. Although it is long-rumored the Villa Narcissa is haunted, this is an urban myth.
Making a lot of noise in the local press was the recent sale of the estate. We caught up with real estate agents Steve Lampe and Brok Butcher who represent the new Vanderlip estate buyer to learn some tidbits...
As an architect, you design for the present, with an awareness of the past for a future which is essentially unknown - Norman Foster
Pour a glass of wine and read along as we answer all your questions as best we can, while maintaining the privacy and anonymity of new the steward of the Vanderlip vision.
Who are the new owners?
The new owners would like to be anonymous at this time. However, Before purchasing Villa Narcissa, the new owners had been to the property on several occasions and always had an admiration and deep connection to the land.
Where are they from?
The new owners have lived in several different states throughout the country and ultimately put roots down in Palos Verdes Over 30 years ago.
How did you meet them?
Steve sold them an apartment building about 7 years ago. From there they purchased 3 more properties with unique architecture or history for long term hold. When the Villa Narcissa came on the market they were very determined to acquire it.
What are they planning to do with the property?
The new owners plan on restoring Villa Narcissa to its original glory. While updating and rectifying any safety hazards, they plan on updating the Villa while keeping the same character, architectural features, and restoring the amazing gardens that cover a good portion of the 5-acre area surrounding the structures. There is an additional 6 acres that will remain undeveloped and the goal is to keep the legacy of Frank Vanderlip Sr. alive with Villa Narcissa being the centerpiece and the historical icon it has been for the past 90+ years. They will continue to rent out the cottages, and use the main residence at times when they are on the West Coast.
What do they love about the property the most?
The new owners love the rich history that comes with the property. Frank Vanderlip Sr. had a vision but had to overcome several setbacks, including the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and Great Depression, but in the end the vision came to fruition.
Do they intend to live on the property?
We will let the new owners answer that question, but it’s certainly a possibility.
What is their vision?
The new owners plan on restoring Villa Narcissa to its original glory. It's important to the new owners that the essence of the property stays the same; from the landscaping completed by the Olmstead brothers in the 1920's, to the architectural integrity of the main Villa, all will remain the same with just a few touches of "lipstick" added here and there. The new owners want to maintain Frank Vanderlips original vision of elegance, charm and beauty that has made the legacy of the Villa a historical icon for the past 90+ years. The only changes would be the restoration of the structures, however, everything else, for the most part, will most likely stay the same.
What do they perceive as the best feature of the property? How about the worst feature?
It is very difficult to point out just one feature that would be considered the “best”. However, the overall beauty of the land, the panoramic ocean/Catalina views, the unparalleled attention to detail and the lifetimes of love and passion that went into every inch of this estate is what attracted the new owners to pursue this Villa.
When will they begin improvements?
Improvements will begin when the time is right and the new owners have the perfect team in place!
How long do they estimate it will be to achieve their vision?
It’s tough to put a time frame on a vision. What we do know is that the new owners will take as long as needed to make their vision a reality. No corners will be cut, every part of the restoration will use the same care and passion that was carefully used the Villa was first constructed. It will be a continuous work in process.
What other homes/properties have the owners created and or restored?
They have a historical property on the East Coast that was acquired many years ago. It was, of course, tastefully restored and brought back to its former glory.
What do the owners do for a living?
They invest and manage properties full time.
Is the owner an artist?
They are artists in their ability to restore historical properties.
What is the first project that the owner plans on tackling? What's the biggest project to be done?
We believe there will be ongoing projects for years to come. They are meticulous in their details and steadfast on their vision.
With all the beautiful properties available in So. Cal why did they pick this one?
The property speaks for itself, I can’t think of a more magnetic, artistic, and historic estate.
Does the owner plan on renovating/flipping/whatever more properties in the future? If so what will be next?
They are NOT flippers, any property they have purchased is for the long term. We think they have enough on their plate at the moment, especially the completion of their current vision for the Villa.
Back row: Kelvin Vanderlip and Narcissa Vanderlip. Front row are realtors Stephen Lampe and Brok Butcher .
Please stay tuned for more developing stories about this historical transition.
For further reading:
Federal Reserve System, Frank Vanderlip Federal Reserve Palos Verdes Beechwood Citibank Home
Pinale Press is owned by author Vicki Mack, the biographer of Federal Reserve System and Palos Verdes, CA founder Frank Vanderlip.
When Don Christy made a discovery in a closet at his home in Portuguese Bend, It started him on a journey into local history. The closet contained aerial photos of Palos Verdes, especially the Portuguese Bend area, left there by his late stepfather, John Vanderlip, son of the founder of Palos Verdes.
An unidentified buyer has snapped up the near-century-old Vanderlip family estate atop Rancho Palos Verdes’ Portuguese Bend for $10.5 million. Known as Villa Narcissa, this 11.5-acre property with unobstructed Catalina Island views has a 7,700-square-foot Tuscan-style villa complete with 10 ...
Photo credits Berlyn Photography www.berlynphotography.com
Realtors Stephen Lampe and Brok Butcher (click images for website links)
