Chenery House occupies a full city block in San Francisco's Glen Park neighborhood. It hit the market in September for $12.5 million and has recently been reduced to $8.5 million. Considering the price of San Francisco real estate, that's a bargain. The neoclassical estate with an indoor pool is owned by former ad man Bob Pritkin. It is hidden among the trees on a block that has bodegas, liquor stores, apartment buildings, and single family homes.
To get to the mansion, you enter through an apartment building that fronts 47 Chenery. From there you enter an English country style garden that leads to the main house with five bedrooms and five bathrooms. The foyer of the home is a large entertaining space that can seat 50 for dinner. The living room is the size of a tennis court. Chenery House has 9, 966 square feet of living space as well as an indoor-outdoor swimming pool with a retractable glass roof. The property's driveway can hold 15 cars.
Bob Pritikin worked in advertising in New York and Los Angeles. He made his fortune after writing "Rice-a-Roni, the San Francisco treat" jingle in the 1950s. He is an avid collector of art and oddities and the houses in the Chenery Street property contain his finds, including the clock that hung above F.A.O. Schwarz in San Francisco. Pritkin became well known for hosting fundraisers and parties over the years. At one of his annual 850 guest Labor Day parties, Carol Channing performed a set wearing pigtails with red ribbons. Other guests have included Bob Weir, Liberace, and Mickey Rooney.
Tenants live in the apartment building that fronts 47 Chenery. It contains two units with two bedrooms and a one bedroom plus loft. Pritikin, who is in his 80s, lives in the main residence. When the property sells, he plans to move into "some other glamorous place," according to the real estate agent.
