latimes.com — The late-1920s Emison-Georgieff house has had some illustrious visitors. The Spanish Colonial Revival structure is also a regular stop on the Floral Park neighborhood’s home and garden tour.
Historical homes in Santa Ana’s quiet Floral Park neighborhood don’t generally carry a “party central” reputation, but this Spanish Colonial Revival has been the site of numerous political fundraisers, weddings and receptions. The guest list has included Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, state Senator Lou Correa, students from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and members of the Hispanic Bar Association.
Current owner and longtime Santa Ana orthodontist George Georgieff says the socials gatherings have been a blessing and a curse. “The people in our neighborhood think I’m a party animal, but I don’t even drink,” he said.
Over the years, the Emison-Georgieff house (so titled after its first and fourth owners and as listed in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties), has become a regular stop on Floral Park’s home and garden tour and for good reason: It’s an icon among the hundreds of period structures built there from the 1920s through the 1950s.
The home, which was constructed from 1926 to 1928, is positioned on a wedged-shaped lot on nearly half an acre that fronts both North Park Boulevard and Riverside Avenue, shaded by huge, century-old pine and redwood trees. Before multi-story commercial structures rose up nearby, the trees were a landmark for the property and could be spotted from the Santa Ana Freeway.
Ornate, wrought iron fencing forms a perimeter wall between square stucco posts. It was added several years after the Georgieffs purchased the property in 1968.
A round tower crowned with red clay tiles covering its low-pitched, hipped roof centers the south facing, L-shaped home. Multi-pane wood casement windows are recessed on both stories.
A cantilevered, Monterey Revival style wraparound balcony occupies the southeast corner. Exposed beams and triangular brackets support the balcony’s wood walkway. A tapered stucco-covered chimney rises up from the west side.
An original octagon iron chandelier, which once hung in the entryway, was moved out to the front patio.
Inside, at the base of a stairwell, Mexican tiles—bronze-colored, with a circular pattern in turquoise stripes—flow into the winding wood stairway. Wood flooring is predominant on the first and second levels.
From the entry, archways with louver doors connect to the living room, den/library and formal dining room. The living room features a wood beam ceiling that contrasts with the crème-colored plastered walls.
One hallway leads to a butler’s pantry and then to the kitchen. Another hallway from the den leads to the servant’s quarters, a bathroom and a narrow second stairway.
On the second floor, an L-shaped walk-in closet was turned into a small office with a view from corner windows. The small balcony off the large master suit was enclosed and turned into a small office as well.
The home qualifies for tax relief under a Mills Act agreement, which is transferable to the new owner when the property is sold.
Location: 2335 North Park Blvd., Santa Ana 92706
Asking price: $1.65 million
Previously sold for: $82,500 in 1968 Size: four bedrooms and 4 ½ baths in 3,606 square feet
Lot Size: 18,639 square feet (0.43 acres)
Additional features: A 450-square-foot wood-paneled studio guesthouse; one-bedroom apartment over the garage with access from the wraparound balcony or outside stairway; above-ground spa; gazebo in the front yard with a Spanish style fountain that positioned behind it on a bed of Mexican pavers; full basement.
