During the reign of King George I in the early 1700's, and King George III later in the century, Britons drew inspiration from the Greeks and the Italian Renaissance to design their palaces. As America prospered in the late 1800s, the desire for this grandeur and elaborate design bloomed.

The architecture of the mansion at 2090 Vallejo Street echoes this sumptuous Neo-Georgian era through stately mortared brick, white trim French doors, paned windows, and steep roofs with beautiful chimneys at the apex. 2090 Vallejo is one of San Francisco’s most beloved homes. Inviting, sensual French designs are integrated over the front door, which curves into a voluptuous wave-crest of cornices and friezes. The bay windows on Buchanan Street delight not only in the spectacular views, but also in the sumptuous series of rounded moldings amazingly delighting the eye as one walks down the street.

The renowned architect, Clarence A. Tantau, built 2090 Vallejo in 1919. Tantau belonged to the third generation of Bay Area Tradition architects, whose stylist began with Maybeck, Polk, et.al., inspiring the estates that Berkeleyans justly boast. 2090 Vallejo was the only home in San Francisco built by Tantau, as he preferred the lavish acreage that the Berkeley Hills and the Peninsula offered his designs; however, he could not pass up the generous opportunity to work with 2090 Vallejo’s original owner, Benjamin F. Schlesinger.

Benjamin F. Schlesinger was known as “The Big Chief.” He owned a number of department stores. The flagship store being the darling, City of Paris that had branches in Paris and New York, whose San Francisco rotunda was known the world over. Mr. Schlesinger also owned the May Company and B. F. Schlesinger department stores. With his wife and four sons, they happily lived in San Francisco and 2090 Vallejo for more than 20 years.

The second of the four owners was Arthur Dunne, attorney son of an attorney. Arthur graduated from U. C. Berkeley in 1920 and Harvard Law School in 1923. For close to 50 years Arthur and his wife fruitfully lived at 2090 Vallejo, raising four children and entertaining lavishly in this gorgeous home. Dunne, a member of the finest socially approved clubs and charities, eventually became the Dean of Hastings Law School before retiring and living out his last days, well into his 90’s, in his cherished home.

The third owner was Gary Rowe, successful homebuilder and renovator of many beautiful landmark homes in San Francisco. Mr. Rowe bought 2090 Vallejo in the late 80’s from the Dunne Estate, purchasing it as his residence. For 3 years with his firm, Mr. Rowe invested over $1 million updating and restoring the home, creating larger, more spacious rooms, elaborating views, redoing all electric and plumbing, seismically retrofitting, and adding the garages and parking court.

Cinthia Coletti Haan is only the fourth owner of 2090 Vallejo in 88 years. She has lived in this majestic home for almost 15 years, raising her two children who are now grown. Seeing the potential exquisiteness of the home, Cinthia was determined to bring the home to the original magnificence—the City of Paris days. She contracted with and flew in experts and artisans from Europe, in Neo-classic and Georgian design, with the desire to create a masterpiece of visual pleasure. Taking close to 4-years, Ms. Haan added sumptuous delights—extradornary moldings; lavish columns; opulent 24 carat gilding; artiste-wall painting; curvaceous staircase with glided iron balustrade; impressive murals; and, so much more. More than $3 million was devoted to the construction of the public rooms alone, giving 2090 Vallejo 2090 Vallejo splendor known to few homes in America. Ms. Haan, a founding member of Sprint, a director of Ford Aerospace, and the head of a number of merger and acquisition in the telecommunication industry, founded the Haan Foundation for Children in 2000—focusing on neuroscience and reading research. For all who have the opportunity to enjoy her generous and easy entertaining of dignitaries, family members, friends, and colleagues, Ms. Haan and her artiste have made 2090 Vallejo a dearly loved and cherished home.