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Edward, Prince of Wales, lived here

Melrose Ranch has quite a history

Warner Bros. filmed scenes from Uncertain Glory at this location (starring Errol Flynn!)
Warner Bros. filmed scenes from Uncertain Glory at this location (starring Errol Flynn!)
Map

16757 Old Guejito Grade Road, Escondido, 92027

16757 Old Guejito Grade Road, Escondido, 92027

Current Owner: de Jong Family

Beds: 5

Baths: 4

List Price: $28,000,000

Listing materials for Melrose Ranch, a “one of a kind property,” assure that the place has been “amazingly restored by a family of craftsmen who lived on site for several years during renovations and improvements.”

The estate, originally constructed in 1925, comprises six residences, a barn, and other structures sprawling across two parcels encompassing a total of 118 acres in northeastern Escondido. The Manor House, as the main residence is dubbed, has five bedrooms, four baths, and 6500 square feet of living space.

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“The lower, street level of Manor House was originally staff quarters, similar to the arrangement in ‘Downton Abbey,’” according to listing materials. “Today, this level includes a very handsome executive office with secretarial/reception area and conference room, pool changing rooms, a large bathroom, and large bonus room with beautiful imported floor tile.”

On the main level, prospective buyers will find “a gorgeous, huge gourmet kitchen, formal dining area and the large, handsome and historic family room with large windows open to your outside gardens,” along with a “handsome, custom library with fireplace including one-of-a-kind furniture” and separate servant/guest living quarters with living area, bath, and kitchen. The wine cellar, “accessible by the same stairs used for 90 years by staff and guests, is a treasure.”

Behind the mansion lie extensive brick patios surrounding the pool area, landscaped gardens ranging in theme from desert cactus to tropical to traditional English, as well as the Lath House, an arboretum reminiscent of and likely inspired by Balboa Park’s Botanical Building, built a few years earlier.

Outside, “stunning landscape and natural beauty adorn Melrose Ranch including the finest plants, trees and materials.” In addition to five guest/employee residences, there are detached garages “with workshop to support your passion for performance or antique automobiles,” and structures like the Jamesway Barn, a covered picnic/party area with its own caterers’ kitchen and Western-themed full service bar. There’s a separate barn and tack room actually meant to cater to the ranch’s horses, as well as miles of riding trails both on the property and in the hills immediately adjacent.

Melrose Ranch has quite a history. It was originally developed “by Lord Sommerville, a British nobleman from Scotland who sold Melrose Ranch to US Commodore Causey and his wife Adelaide Fairbanks. Guests of Melrose Ranch include Edward, Prince of Wales, and the Warner Bros cast and crew who filmed scenes from Uncertain Glory, which starred Errol Flynn. The Manor House was a secret rendezvous location for Prince Edward of Wales to court American divorcée Mrs. Wallis Simpson, which became one of the greatest love stories of the 20th century.”

In 1997, the estate was acquired by Arie and Anneke de Jong, who began renovating and restoring the property. Arie, whose dairy-farming family emigrated from Holland in the 1940s, established Hollandia Dairy in North County, which today is still one of the largest dairies in the county.

After remaining off-market for nearly 20 years, Melrose Ranch was listed for sale in late April, with the sellers requesting offers between $25 million and $28 million. The price remains unchanged to date.

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Warner Bros. filmed scenes from Uncertain Glory at this location (starring Errol Flynn!)
Warner Bros. filmed scenes from Uncertain Glory at this location (starring Errol Flynn!)
Map

16757 Old Guejito Grade Road, Escondido, 92027

16757 Old Guejito Grade Road, Escondido, 92027

Current Owner: de Jong Family

Beds: 5

Baths: 4

List Price: $28,000,000

Listing materials for Melrose Ranch, a “one of a kind property,” assure that the place has been “amazingly restored by a family of craftsmen who lived on site for several years during renovations and improvements.”

The estate, originally constructed in 1925, comprises six residences, a barn, and other structures sprawling across two parcels encompassing a total of 118 acres in northeastern Escondido. The Manor House, as the main residence is dubbed, has five bedrooms, four baths, and 6500 square feet of living space.

Sponsored
Sponsored

“The lower, street level of Manor House was originally staff quarters, similar to the arrangement in ‘Downton Abbey,’” according to listing materials. “Today, this level includes a very handsome executive office with secretarial/reception area and conference room, pool changing rooms, a large bathroom, and large bonus room with beautiful imported floor tile.”

On the main level, prospective buyers will find “a gorgeous, huge gourmet kitchen, formal dining area and the large, handsome and historic family room with large windows open to your outside gardens,” along with a “handsome, custom library with fireplace including one-of-a-kind furniture” and separate servant/guest living quarters with living area, bath, and kitchen. The wine cellar, “accessible by the same stairs used for 90 years by staff and guests, is a treasure.”

Behind the mansion lie extensive brick patios surrounding the pool area, landscaped gardens ranging in theme from desert cactus to tropical to traditional English, as well as the Lath House, an arboretum reminiscent of and likely inspired by Balboa Park’s Botanical Building, built a few years earlier.

Outside, “stunning landscape and natural beauty adorn Melrose Ranch including the finest plants, trees and materials.” In addition to five guest/employee residences, there are detached garages “with workshop to support your passion for performance or antique automobiles,” and structures like the Jamesway Barn, a covered picnic/party area with its own caterers’ kitchen and Western-themed full service bar. There’s a separate barn and tack room actually meant to cater to the ranch’s horses, as well as miles of riding trails both on the property and in the hills immediately adjacent.

Melrose Ranch has quite a history. It was originally developed “by Lord Sommerville, a British nobleman from Scotland who sold Melrose Ranch to US Commodore Causey and his wife Adelaide Fairbanks. Guests of Melrose Ranch include Edward, Prince of Wales, and the Warner Bros cast and crew who filmed scenes from Uncertain Glory, which starred Errol Flynn. The Manor House was a secret rendezvous location for Prince Edward of Wales to court American divorcée Mrs. Wallis Simpson, which became one of the greatest love stories of the 20th century.”

In 1997, the estate was acquired by Arie and Anneke de Jong, who began renovating and restoring the property. Arie, whose dairy-farming family emigrated from Holland in the 1940s, established Hollandia Dairy in North County, which today is still one of the largest dairies in the county.

After remaining off-market for nearly 20 years, Melrose Ranch was listed for sale in late April, with the sellers requesting offers between $25 million and $28 million. The price remains unchanged to date.

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The latest copy of the Reader

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Use San Diego crosswalks at your own peril

But new state law clearing nearby parking might backfire
Next Article

Aaron Stewart trades Christmas wonders for his first new music in 15 years

“Just because the job part was done, didn’t mean the passion had to die”
Comments
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4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
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