Living Large, Living Home - Granite Bay Estate (Copy)
Set among 17 acres of former orchards outside Sacramento, this 15,260-square-foot estate was designed to answer a unique question: How do you create a home that feels warm and personal for a family of six, yet can gracefully open its doors to host large events ?
For the executive couple who commissioned it, the house needed to do both. On one hand, it had to serve as the daily backdrop of family life—kids coming and going, private wings for quiet retreats, a place where six people could each feel at home. On the other, it had to stand ready to transform into a venue for extended gatherings, parties, and celebrations, where hundreds of guests could be welcomed without losing the intimacy of the setting.
The design draws inspiration from Mediterranean estates, with terracotta roofs, arched windows, and golden stucco walls that glow in the California sun. A series of courtyards and terraces anchor the architecture, extending the living spaces outward and creating a natural flow between the indoors and outdoors. The pool terrace, layered with stone and shaded by palms, feels as suited for an afternoon swim as it does for an elegant evening reception.
Make it stand out
inspiration from Mediterranean estates, with terracotta roofs, arched windows, and golden stucco walls that glow in the California sun.
Inside, the great room rises with soaring ceilings, chandeliers, and tall arched windows that flood the space with light. Yet, despite the scale, the details remain personal—warm finishes, layered textures, and spaces scaled to feel inviting rather than overwhelming. A custom wood bar and lounge provides a cozier counterpoint, a favorite spot for family evenings and smaller gatherings.
“What I carried forward from this project was the idea that even the largest houses have to succeed first as homes. The grandeur matters—but the real success is when each family member feels comfortable, grounded, and connected in the space.” — Doron Dreksler
What makes this estate remarkable is not only its size, but the way it balances two worlds: the grandeur of an executive retreat and the heart of a family home. That balance, struck in 2006, continues to reflect Spire’s philosophy—architecture that embraces complexity while staying grounded in the human experience.
Spire Architecture Inc. is a boutique architectural design-build firm based in northern California.
