There was a period in Southern California history known as the "Golden Age" of architecture between the years 1920 and 1940. As a result of the Great Depression and World War II, highly skilled craftsmen, top-notch building materials, and well-heeled clients became scarce during this relatively brief window. 

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These items would all become scarce after the Great Depression and World War II. The architect Gordon B. Kaufmann was one of the most popular with those who had no problem spending money during this time. His client list included illustrious names such as Doheny, Chandler, and Adamson.

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Harry L. Thompson and his wife, Anna Lambert Thompson, commissioned Kaufmann to design a residence for their family in 1927, and it was completed in 1928. In addition to his business partner, steel magnate John Lambert (who was the father of Anna's mother), Thompson also owned a controlling interest in several Pasadena hotels with his business partner, Lambert. 

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There is no doubt that the Thompson family's Palladian-style villa was constructed not far from what is now known as the Huntington Library, Museum, and Botanical Gardens, which was constructed in the early twentieth century as a palatial estate of Henry and Arabella Huntington that has become almost as spectacular today as it has been throughout the centuries.

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In the Villa, which occupies a plot of land of slightly more than one acre, there are nine bedrooms spread across three levels, which are connected by nine bathrooms. One, perhaps the most outstanding public spaces is the large drawing room with Italian marble fireplace and hand-painted ceiling murals by Giovanni Smeraldi, the dining room with wallpaper by Zuber & Cie, and a walnut-paneled library with a secret bar room from the Prohibition era. 

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Additionally, Rich Report points out that the interior of the building features exquisite details, including Palladian arches, marble, stone, and tile floors, elaborate moldings and plaster work, coffered ceilings, French doors, an elevator, and an elegant loggia with groin-vaulted arches, painted tile, and original cast-iron lanterns.

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On the exterior of the estate, there are a number of amenities that can be enjoyed by its residents and guests, including a swimming pool, a spa, a lighted tennis court facing north and south, as well as a garage with parking space for six cars. Additionally, there is a one-bedroom guesthouse that has a kitchen and a living room, which can accommodate up to three people, comprising of a bedroom and a living room.

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This is one of the most impressive properties in the world with a pedigree that has been owned by the same family since 1984, and is now available for purchase for $12.5 million. Listed under the Chang Group at Compass, the listing is held by Brent Chang of the Chang Group. 

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