The only privately owned island in San Francisco bay is hitting the market this week – and for $25 million it can be yours, as long as you can live without water, power and Wi-Fi.
Red Rock Island – also known as Moleta and Golden Rock – is set to come in hot on the San Francisco Bay housing market at $25 million, a bargain for owning a private island.
The catch is that the currently uninhabited 5.8 acre island has absolutely nothing on it – leaving the future buyer without running water, power, Wi-Fi … or even a bathroom.
Sitting on the south of Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and the dividing line between San Francisco and San Pablo bays – Red Rock Island can only be accessedby air or water, which makes the ‘property viewings’ tricky.
The island has been put on the market multiple times over the years since it was first claimed by Selim E. Woodworth in the 19th century.
Red Rock Island – also known as Moleta and Golden Rock – is set to come in hot on the San Francisco Bay housing market at $25 million, a bargain for owning a private island
Red Rock Island is the only privately owned island in San Francisco bay
The catch is that the currently uninhabited 5.8 acre island has absolutely nothing on it – leaving the future buyer without running water, power, Wi-Fi, parking or even a bathroom
Sitting on the south of Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and the dividing line between San Francisco and San Pablo bays – Red Rock Island is only reachable by air or water, which makes the ‘property viewings’ tricky
Woodworth, a former state senator, built a cabin and maintained a hunting preserve on the island – which appeared as ‘Molate Island’ on an 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area.
The name Molate – which has now transformed into Moleta – was applied to the island because its shape resembles the conical stone used by painters to grind colors, which is called ‘moleta’ in Spanish.
Following Woodworth’s ownership – the island was a location for mining manganese, a hard, brittle, silvery metal used for steel and aluminum products like batteries.
Red Rock Island was privately purchased in the 1920s and – after a series of owners – finally landed in the hands of San Francisco attorney and part-time real estate buyer David Glickman, who bought the island in 1964 for $49,500.
Grand plans for the island were brainstormed in 1964 which included shaving the top half of the island off and transforming the spot into a 10-story hotel and casino with a yacht harbor on the north side.
The idea planned for water and power to be provided by lines connected to the San Rafael Bridge and the discarded part of the terrain was going to be sold for highway roadbed construction.
The plans never came to fruition and the island remained uninhabited. In 2001, the California Department of Fish and Game was offered to buy the island but they declined.
A ‘sex guru’ spiritual leader tried to buy the island in 1985 to expand his Oregon commune. Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh was deported and couldn’t follow through with the sale after his commune collapsed.
The island has been put on the market multiple times over the years since it was first claimed by Selim E. Woodworth in the 19th century. Woodworth, a former state senator, built a cabin and maintained a hunting preserve on the island
Grand plans for the island were brainstormed in 1964 which included shaving the top half of the island off and transforming the spot into a 10-story hotel and casino with a yacht harbor on the north side
A ‘sex guru’ spiritual leader tried to buy the island in 1985 to expand his Oregon commune. Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh was deported and couldn’t follow through with the sale after his commune collapsed
In 2007 – Glickman announced that Red Rock Island was for sale for $10 million. It was listed again in early 2012 for $5 million.
This week, Brock Durning, who inherited the island from his father, placed the island on the market for $25 million and listed it for the first time on a multiple listing service – which is a database that allows brokers to see other agents’ listings.
Viewings for the island are by appointment only, Red Rock’s listing agent Chris Lim said.
‘We can go by chartered yacht or boat, by seaplane or helicopter,’ Lim said.
‘For those a bit more adventurous, we could go by Jet Ski or kayak or even paragliding.
‘There is so much that is possible with this island. The views of San Francisco, Belvedere, the Oakland hills and the Bay Bridge are incredible.’
Like any good real estate agent – Lin wanted to get to know his property to understand what he’s selling. So he took a private to spend an entire day on the island.
‘I felt an undeniable connection to Northern California — the rugged landscape, unspoiled beaches, and the deep, mesmerizing blue waters,’ he said.
He added: ‘I’m interested in finding a prospective buyer who realizes the exceptionally rare nature of the property. Whether it is for conservation or for potential development.’
This week, Brock Durning, who inherited the island from his father, placed the island on the market for $25 million and listed it for the first time on a multiple listing service – which is a database that allows brokers to see other agents’ listings
Viewing for the island are by appointment only, Red Rock’s listing agent Chris Lim said. ‘We can go by chartered yacht or boat, by seaplane or helicopter,’ Lim said. ‘For those a bit more adventurous, we could go by Jet Ski or kayak or even paragliding’
In August an entire island complete with a lighthouse and a little one-room home in Maine was sold for just $400,000 – but had no bathrooms or running water.
On the higher end of the private island budget was a Florida mansion worth $218 million.
The 11 bedroom, 15 bathroom home sat perched on a private island in Florida’s Palm Beach.
As well as having plenty of space for guests to stay – the mansion also boasted two swimming pools, a five-car garage, tennis court, hair salon, library, wine room, at-home gym, elevator and an indoor spa with massage room and sauna.
Across the Atlantic Ocean – a private island was listed off the coast of Scotland for just $187,000.
The small price tag might be because there are no buildings on the land, so any potential buyers that are interested in turning this island into their home will have to inquire about planning permission.