In 1991, the co-founder of Intel, Gordon Moore, along with his wife Betty, acquired a historic property in Woodside, California, which spans 24 acres, for $6 million. Surrounded by redwoods, meadows, gardens, and natural springs, the property, Mountain Meadow, already had the reputation of being one of the best-known estates in the vicinity, until the Moores treated it as more than a private residence for the next three decades. They restored its historic buildings while preserving the landscape that made this estate famous.
Thirty years later, that same commitment to preserve the estate extended beyond their ownership of it as just a residence. Instead of preparing the land for development, the estate placed it under a legal conservation easement that prevented development and subdivision while protecting its historical and natural features, including its redwood groves, gardens, and open meadows. According to The Almanac publication, the easement permanently limits large-scale development while allowing the historic estate to continue as a private residence.
Restoring history instead of replacing it
Mountain Meadow was originally built in 1927 as a country retreat, featuring a Tudor Revival home by the architect Gardner Dailey. Over the years, notable landscape architects, such as Bruce Porter, John McLaren, and Thomas Church, contributed to the estate's landscaping and gardening, creating an important site of California architecture and landscape.
When the Moores purchased the estate, they devoted considerable resources to restoration instead of reconstruction. Reports indicate that over $15 million was invested in the modernization process meant to preserve the estate’s original style. The restoration team searched for period-appropriate windows, fixtures, and architectural materials so repairs would match the original design as closely as possible. At the same time, modern infrastructure was added without changing the estate's historic appearance. The restoration extended beyond the buildings. The redwood groves, meadows, gardens, walking trails, and open spaces remained central to the property, reflecting the Moores' long-standing interest in conservation as well as historic preservation.
