The sale of a vast modernist residence in Northern California, which was constructed in 1987 for the late real estate developer and Seattle Seahawks owner Ken Behring, would be the property’s first sale since it was modeled after Frank Lloyd Wright’s groundbreaking Fallingwater.
With a fantastic location in one of the seven exclusive gated neighborhoods within the 2,500-home Blackhawk Country Club—built by Behring 40 years ago on 5,000 acres of undulating hills in Danville, California, around 30 miles east of San Francisco—the mansion will go up for auction next month. At the age of 91, he passed away in 2019.
“The estate is the crown jewel of Blackhawk Country Club” according to David Behring, who is overseeing the sale of his father’s property. He serves as president of the Wheelchair Foundation, a division of the Behring Global Educational Foundation. “I was one of four brothers, and we spent quite a bit of time there since we lived so close,” he said, noting that he and one of his siblings reside in Blackhawk.
The residence boasts five bedrooms, six full bathrooms, six half bathrooms, two detached one-bedroom guest apartments, a 7,000-square-foot indoor event venue that doubles as a classic car showroom and a wine cellar.
The property will be auctioned off from June 28 to July 18 and is also listed at $24.998 million. There isn’t a reserve, but Concierge Auctions, which is managing the sale alongside Joujou Chawla of Compass, predicts that bidding will begin between $7 million and $11 million.
Situated on a cul-de-sac in the exclusive Eagle Ridge enclave, the 26,627-square-foot residence—which took some three years to complete—occupies one of the largest lots (at 4.54 acres) and commands 360-degree views of the country club, Mount Diablo and its rolling foothills, planted with tens of thousands of oak trees.
The property is surrounded by sculpted trees, flowering bushes, rock outcroppings, covered breezeways, and streams, waterfalls, and a multi-level koi pond that bring water in from the outside. “There is undoubtedly an Asian influence on the house; my father would make multiple trips to China every year,” Behring stated.
There are glass walls with expansive vistas, Chinese statues and other relics, and an atrium with lush vegetation and a waterfall inside. The double-height areas are connected by floating walkways and staircases, and an elevator makes access possible.
Behring stated that the main level features an open-concept floor design with a formal living room, dining area, chef’s kitchen, and family space that can hold up to 40 people. The family area has a home theater, a sunken billiards room, and a full-size bar that seats ten people. “Everyone would fill up this entire space—it was our focal point for family get-togethers,” he remarked.
This level also houses the 7,000 square foot event space. The vast “ballroom,” which has a lounge, bar, and caterer’s kitchen, stands out from the other areas due to its mirrored columns, black granite flooring, and enormous crystal chandeliers hanging from mirrored ceilings.
The main suite, located upstairs, has a sitting area, a fireplace, a private kitchen, and views of Mount Diablo. The connected indoor-outdoor spa bathroom has a waterfall, etched glass walls, a steam shower, a sauna, and a hot tub in addition to a retractable gridded-teak ceiling.
A heated outdoor tennis court situated above the ballroom, a swimming pool, and an outdoor kitchen, grilling area, all have glass tops. Behring recalled, “This was where we got together for pool parties and family picnics.” “When driving to the estate at night, the first thing that catches your eye is the custom set of neon lights above the multi-tiled table.”
The private country club, which features two 18-hole championship golf courses, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a fitness facility, pickleball and tennis courts, and a sports complex, is also accessible to residents.
Danville’s downtown is around fifteen minutes distant.