Few coastal farms have impacted the course of American photography history quite like Annie Leibovitz's Bolinas estate. Leibovitz, best known for her portraits of the world's most influential figures, purchased the farm that was formerly a photographic interest for Ansel Adams in the 1930s, with the aim of maintaining its legacy. However, now, the Californian agrarian sanctuary is ready for its next chapter.
Nestled in the serenity of Bolinas, where the Pacific Ocean and Marin County’s Mount Tamalpais meet, Leibovitz's estate, called The Hideaway, comprises 65 acres with views of Bolinas Lagoon, Stinson Beach, Mount Tamalpais, and the surrounding countryside.
With many of its seven primary structures dating back to the time of the original settlers in Bolinas, this piece of American history is an equine enthusiast's dream – they just need $8.995 million for the keys.
The primary residential compound features four structures, including a 1920s SFH with four bedrooms, a guest house, a caretaker’s residence, and a converted garage. The living spaces have a rustic, warm, minimalist aesthetic that feels modern yet pays homage to its roots.
With its soothing white color palette, exhibited throughout the home, the property is a masterclass in decorating with neutrals. Though the color scheme is often categorized as a conventional classic, Leibovitz has ensured the spaces remain interesting by layering textures and allowing the architectural assets to shine through. An example of this is seen in the all-white kitchen, where tiles meet wooden cabinets and glass-fronted cabinets – a consistent celebrity favorite that taps into the 'old money' design movement.
Leibovitz continues this textured decorating technique in the primary bedroom – a space where color choices arguably matter the most. The combination of white and wooden hues ensures the room is a grounding sanctuary for sleep (while simultaneously allowing the greens and blues from the surrounding landscape to take center stage).
Prior to Leibovitz’s tenure, the farm was under the stewardship of Warren Hellman, San Francisco financier and founder of the Hardly Strictly Blue Grass music festival. Hellman converted an unused farm building into a music studio and another into a music venue to host private concerts. After his passing, his family sold the estate to Annie Leibovitz, who says she always thought of herself as 'a California person.'
'I went to school there, at the San Francisco Art Institute. I learned to be a photographer there. When Rolling Stone moved to New York in 1977, I didn’t think that I was moving too. I didn’t believe that I went to New York to stay. I thought I lived in California. But the work was in New York. Or Europe. After all those years living and working in New York and raising my children, I dreamed about returning to California,' Leibovitz comments.
The photographer explains how she spent many holidays with friends in Bolinas, during which she would search for 'the place.'
'It seemed like my oldest daughter was going to go to college in the Bay Area. Plus, she was always deeply involved in farming and agriculture. We were told of this extraordinary property that, from the top of the hill, had views of the lagoon and bay and the coast that are magnificent. It has its own special climate. Everything can grow year-round. There were 65 acres with an old milking barn that Ansel Adams had photographed. It had been used as a gathering place for country and folk music concerts in its day. We planned to partner with a legendary farmer over the hill to bring the place back to its former self as a working and teaching farm. Things don’t always go as planned. Then all three of my girls decided to go to college in the Northeast.'
Compass agent Alexander Lurie, who co-lists the ranch with Nick Svenson, also highlights its history – further emphasizing how it's one of the most exciting listings of the moment – and one of the world's best homes.
'The Hideaway has an indelible place in history – both for the SF Bay Area as well as globally – this special space has served as a launching pad of creative inspiration for renowned musical and visual artists of international repute,' he says.
While we can't all buy her ranch, we can read up on the photographer herself. This collection of her work from 1990 to 2005 includes figures such as Johnny Cash, Nicole Kidman, Keith Richards, Michael Jordan, and Joan Didion.
