The Elijah Parking Residence: 1928 Andalusian Revival

4 BEDROOMS | 4 BATHROOMS | 3,606 SQUARE FEET | 23,522 SF LOT | BUILT 1928 | Offered at $1,400,000

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4631 Ladera Lane, Riverside, Ca, 92501

The Elijah Parker Residence is a masterpiece of Andalusian Revival architecture rooted in the rugged natural setting of the Mount Rubidoux Historic District. It was designed by Robert Spurgeon Jr, a formally trained architect at Columbia University and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Spurgeon is responsible for some of the most significant Spanish Revival homes in the City of Riverside and this home is certainly among those few. While the arched front doorway, carved Monterrey balcony, and iron accents capture your attention at first glance, the true genius of Spurgeon lies in the finer details. The more time you spend in this home, the more subtle treasures you will discover. The property features gorgeous living and dining rooms, a luxurious remodeled kitchen and large basement currently in use as an atelier. There is a downstairs en-suite bedroom with sitting room, two private secondary bedrooms with views of lush greenery, and a primary suite with a comfortable sunroom. Spurgeon was also influenced by the Arts and Crafts philosophy and therefore was highly conscious of both the site of the home and its orientation. This property is situated on the arcadian south-eastern slope of Little Rubidoux. The natural environment of soft chaparral features sage brush, brittle bush and native oak where the local wildlife make their homes; however, the current owners have also cultivated a beautiful garden of flowering plants and fruit trees. This gorgeous scene is the backdrop from which you can enjoy your private pool terrace. This terrace has been decorated with over 5000 handmade Moorish-inspired tiles. They feature a star and cross pattern depicting six species of local flora and fauna which were created by the current owners and are a welcome addition to the masterful character already found in this property. Finally, the home’s proximity to the trails on Mount Rubidoux, the lakes at Fairmount Park and our vibrant Downtown core are another strong attraction to this wonderful historic neighborhood.

Architect of the Elijah Parker Home: Robert Spurgeon Jr

Robert Spurgeon Jr is a fascinating character in the rich and varied history of this City of Riverside. He did not spend an enormous amount of time here but his impact is lasting and represents a rapid ascent to architectural excellence. He was raised in a wealthy family, the son of a corporate attorney, and therefore had the opportunity to study architecture at Columbia University and then continued his studies at the E’cole de Beaux Arts in Paris, France. He first came to Riverside after the death of his sister’s first husband. Family had brought him to Riverside and once he was here he jumped into the architectural scene with both feet. He took on his first commissions in 1922 immediately working on some large projects like the Pinkerton Estate (now the Cowboy Streets Tract) and several impressive homes on Magnolia avenue. In 1924 he designed one of the most iconic homes in the entire city, not only for its scale and beauty but also for its hillside position that can be viewed clearly from the road that climbed Mount Rubidoux. To this day if you look toward Fairmount Park on the Northeast side of the mountain you can see the home prominently displayed as well as two other phenomenal Spurgeon designs, the Lillian Spurgeon home and the Elijah Parker home both built in 1927. The period from 1924 to 1928 was among his busiest as he was designing some of our city’s most prominent Spanish Revival residential structures as well as smaller homes that were built on speculation, for additional income. He was young and ambitious and so it is no surprise that after getting married he moved to Santa Barbara to be closer to his mother and sister. It wasn’t all family however, as Santa Barbara had declared, after a disastrous earthquake in 1925, that they would rebuild the city entirely in the Spanish Revival style of which Spurgeon was highly skilled. Unfortunately he passed not too long after re-locating to Santa Barbara of a ruptured appendix, he was only in his mid-30’s. Riverside and Santa Barbara were undoubtedly deprived of many potential Spurgeon masterpieces; yet, this very scarcity renders his existing designs even more desirable. Much like Vincent van Gogh, whose death at 37 cut short a legendary career, Spurgeon’s limited body of work has transformed his few remaining creations into rare, highly sought-after treasures.