Can a property inherently inspire some of the world’s most successful artists? It would seem that 8 Laurel St., nestled in Marin County’s woods, can. Here, for the price of $6.75 million, not only is a Mill Valley mini-compound on offer, but so is an extraordinary creative legacy.
On this quiet, forested .28 acre property, previous residents have created magic. In the detached studio cottage, a 296-square-foot abode aptly nicknamed “The Nest,” Francis Ford Coppola crafted the screenplay for “The Godfather.” Complete with its own kitchen and bath and surrounded by redwoods, this tiny shelter gave Coppola the sanctuary and inspiration he needed to create the first film in his iconic series.
The Nest wasn’t originally part of the 8 Laurel St. compound. In 1890, the cottage had its own address (116 Cascade Drive), and as such, it was one of the first vacation cottages built in Cascade Canyon. Its first owner was Jerome Stanford, “nephew of Leland Stanford, a governor of California and founder of the Leland Stanford Jr. University,” according to the Mill Valley Historical Society’s vignette on The Nest. In the 1970s, Coppola acquired The Nest, as well as the property at 8 Laurel St.
Joel Rosenberg, who owns the home with his wife Jane Rosenberg, pointed out in an email that “Coppola is well known for having great taste and outside of film, food and wine he has collected exceptional properties.” Clearly, 8 Laurel St. was one of them…