Rosecroft: Point Loma’s Largest Italian Renaissance Mansion

Dave Rice January 22, 2019 1 Comment 0 Likes 1346 Views

Portion of Point Loma Nazarene once known as Lomaland on the Peninsula

Rosecroft is a historically-designated estate occupying nearly two-and-a-half acres atop Point Loma. Built in 1912 by architect Emmor Brooke Weaver, who oversaw the design of dozens of local residences between 1904 and 1945, the Italian Renaissance mansion includes nine bedrooms and 12 baths spread across 15,600 square feet of living space in the main residence and outbuildings.

The largest remaining residential parcel in Point Loma, Rosecroft’s grounds were purchased in 1903 by heiress Marion James Robinson and her husband Alfred. The Robinsons were drawn to the area by Katherine Tingley, leader of the spiritual Theosophy movement. At the time, Tingley was endeavoring to create a new utopian society known as Lomaland on the peninsula, many buildings and gardens from the era remain as a part of the Point Loma Nazarene University campus.

The home itself includes detailed finish work of the era, including coved and coiffured ceilings, hardwood floors, a wood-paneled library with ornately-carved fireplace mantle, formal dining with seating for ten, tile-finished archways, and a covered patio with gas firepit on the edge of the pool deck. There’s a gym with an indoor racquetball court, attached garage with parking for three limousines, and separate detached garage with parking for another four cars, along with a guest cottage. The home’s second story offers a view of the downtown skyline and a peek into San Diego Bay to the east.

For the balance, go here.

Author: Dave Rice

Dave grew up in East County, where El Cajon meets La Mesa meets Spring Valley, but always had a fondness for OB, where his parents had been taking him on weekends since he was young. He bounced in and out of private, public, and home school systems before finally dropping out about halfway through his third freshman year of junior college. Politicized at an early age by his father, his interest has always been in opposition politics, though his slant toward progressive ideas developed later. At 13, he started working in a bicycle shop and had his own parts-and-repair business operating by 16. After a brief stint in banking (he was fired for performing his job too effectively), he's returned to the family real estate brokerage with his father and sister. He currently resides in the southern portion of OB with his partner and elementary-age daughter.

1 thought on “Rosecroft: Point Loma’s Largest Italian Renaissance Mansion”

Alan de Chezet says:

January 24, 2019 at 8:56 pm

My mother used to take me to Rosecroft Gardens, when I was a boy growing up in Point Loma in the mid-60s and early 70s. Thanks for the reminder that the property exists, other than in my memory. Oh, the ceilings are “coffered,” not coiffured.

I may live in British Columbia, but will always keep the Point Loma vibe, and I read the OB Rag to stay connected. Can’t wait to get my daughter’s feet wet at OB this summer, her first trip to SD.

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