In the 1850s, the O’Donnell family established a ranch and settlement known as the O’Donnell Estates in Carmichael, California. The property, spanning nine parcels on six acres, is now on the market for $2.75 million. It includes a restored Victorian farmhouse built in the 1880s, a 4,600-square-foot mansion, and 150-year-old olive trees. The two residences are physically connected, with the farmhouse being a historic property that must be preserved.
The property was the highest-priced sale in Carmichael in 2017, when it was sold for $1.7 million to Nicksam Properties LLC. The architecture of the O’Donnell house is unique, with over 8,000 square feet of space and six acres of land. While initially met with resistance from the neighborhood, the county approved a site plan and possible lot split for the estate. The prospect of developing the property into multiple units is being considered due to the size and location of the land, but it could also be maintained as a private family compound.
In 1985, Marc Turtletaub and his then-wife Paula Turtletaub purchased the property from the O’Donnell family. Marc Turtletaub, a former president and CEO of The Money Store, later became a film producer and founded the educational facility Meristem in Sacramento. The original Victorian home was extensively restored by Turtletaub, preserving details from the original era and adding modern amenities such as skylights and an exterior hot tub.
The second residence on the property was added in the mid-2000s at a reported cost of $9.2 million. This four-story mansion includes a top-level turret reached by a grand marble staircase and an elevator for easy floor navigation. The house features a ballroom with a full bar, a second-floor library with a sliding ladder, and a domed turret with a 360-degree balcony offering views of Carmichael and Sacramento.
The estate is situated on six acres divided into nine parcels, including the farmhouse and mansion. The property boasts a 500-year-old oak tree, original outbuildings like a carriage and well house, and sports courts with lighting. In 2015, Sunmark Capital acquired the property for $1.55 million. The listing highlights the potential for development and the unique opportunity for a skilled developer to transform the property into something remarkable.
The O’Donnell family also donated 9.4 adjacent acres for a community park that features a nature path, butterfly garden, and playground. Despite the possibility of development, there is a green belt in the area that will remain undeveloped. The property listing emphasizes the property’s potential and encourages those seeking a remarkable property to visit and consider the unique opportunities it presents in the heart of Carmichael.
