By Elizabeth Cloutman

Photo by Monique Schoenfeld, Town Crier

The Winbigler property undergoes remodeling and seismic upgrades

Los Altos Hills residents might have been startled recently when they noticed a familiar Fremont Road landmark, known as the Winbigler home, missing from its usual prominent perch atop a gentle knoll on Campo Vista Lane. Instead, the stately, cream-colored, two-story home sits to the right of its old foundation.

Although it is not an official historic site, the French Provincial home is recognized in the town’s general plan as being of local historic significance. Its current owners, Gordon Campbell and Maria Ligeti, are doing extensive remodeling and seismic upgrading of the home.

Campbell and Ligeti are replacing the home’s old foundation by constructing an expanded basement, which will include a five-car underground garage. They are also adding two, 2-story wings that will attach to the sides and the rear of the existing home. “In French Provincial architecture, adding big wings is traditional,” said Carl Cahill, Los Altos Hills planning director.

Other additions to the property include a caretaker’s residence, a studio-workshop with decking, a swimming pool and a tennis court. The architect, David Bogstead, of Loving and Campos Architects, Walnut Creek, noted that because of the home’s age, its old foundation was vulnerable to earthquakes. The old basement had become musty and filled with mildew. According to Cahill’s report to the town planning commission, the home’s roof will be clad with a “unique lead shingle roofing system” and most of its numerous oak and redwood trees will be undisturbed by the additional structures.

Despite the alterations to the 1926 home, Bogstead wants to reassure residents the uniqueness of the landmark home will be preserved. “The overall goal is, when it’s done, it looks like it’s always been there,” he said.