Pasadena Estate with Grand Ballroom and Lush Gardens

Welcome to the Swick Haven INTRO: The home of Thom & Magdalena Swick, Swick Haven was a six-year passion project by the family and their team of expert craftsmen. The project was designed by their son Kris in close collaboration with both of them and the draftsman, architect Everett Smith. It is designed to entertain their frequent guests and serve as the home base for their family, their ‘SwickHaven’. It features a modern combination of highly textured natural materials and sleek man-made finishes, complemented by a unique collection of carved wood furniture and folk arts from around the world. Located in eastern Pasadena near Sierra Madre, the parcel was largely undeveloped but featured an impressive view through a natural privacy screen of old growth pine and oak trees. The south-south facing addition features oversized wooden doors and windows that seamlessly connect the interior spaces to the towering trees and drought-tolerant garden. Due to the natural elevation change, the new ballroom and other main living spaces look out over the southern neighbors toward lower Kinneloa Mesa, with privacy maintained by the screen of lush vegetation. BALLROOM (2,200 sq.ft.): Perfect for parties and special events The ballroom is the heart of the house, featuring oversized wooden doors and windows that frame views of giant pine trees and Pasadena in the distance. The twelve-foot-tall pivot doors open onto the main terrace, which overlooks the gardens and game courts. White glass columnar light boxes and globes, recessed into skylights and clustered around the chandelier, provide ample lighting. The teak slab dining tables and antique carved wood bar complement a richly textured floor of ‘leathered’ granite and the oversized marble mantelpiece. The oversized balcony off of the Ballroom features an outdoor fireplace and television, plus numerous potted plants and the best views of the expansive gardens. LIBRARY (1,290 sq.ft.): Perfect for lectures, readings, meetings, or quiet work time The library features towering architectural-scale bookcases and an antique pulpit, installed for readings and lectures. Oversized parallel-laminated engineered timber beams support the shelves, mounted pulpit, reading room benches, and antique furnishings embedded within the bookcases. The built-ins are complemented by rich leather upholstery and folk arts. KITCHEN (600 sq.ft.): Perfect for cooking classes or catering for big events The kitchen features continuous leathered granite countertops with extra large four-inch aprons to match the four-inch thick parallel- laminated engineered timber beams that frame appliances and provide storage above the counters. The countertops continue upward to provide a full-wall backsplash, covering the entire rear wall of the kitchen. A vaulted aluminum ceiling complements the stainless steel appliances and fixtures. GAME ROOM (2,000 sq.ft.): Perfect for family fun and group exercise The game room has ample space for game tables, exercise facilities, and comfortable seating. It is lit by a combination of its columnar light boxes, coves, and accent walls on the inside and through oversized wooden doors and windows opening onto the gardens and game courts outside. GARDENS (11,300+ sq.ft.): Perfect for ceremonies, special events, and parties The expansive gardens provide space for outdoor events and gameplay. They feature courts for horseshoes, shuffleboard, and basketball alongside drought-tolerant vegetation combined with bronze and marble statuary. POOL PATIO (2,600 sq.ft.): Perfect for pool parties and BBQ's At street level, a lush planter provides privacy for the pool and adjacent dining patio. The patio features a marble colonnade dining cabana and bronze statuary, and provides access to the much larger roof patio above the adjacent garage. The pool features multiple waterfalls, a volleyball net, and lush surroundings. MAIN GUEST SUITE (1,000 sq.ft.): Perfect staging area for your wedding party, performers, etc. or quiet childcare space The two-bedroom main level guest suite overlooks the gardens and opens onto the main level balcony with an outdoor fireplace. White tile and porcelain fixtures in each bedroom’s en-suite bathroom complement their dark wood geometric mosaic headboards and furnishings.