In 1973, legendary Sacramento developer Buzz Oates built and lived in an incredible Tudor-style home overlooking the American River — on what might still be one of the finest waterfront lots in the city.
Decades later, the home declined after another owner moved away and left the property vacant. It was boarded up for many years to keep trespassers out.
Becoming frustrated with county complaints and with no interest in renovating, the owner finally decided to sell — recognizing the home’s underlying value. He turned to listing agent Lisa McIntosh-Milburn of Windermere Signature Properties, who put the estate on the market and found a buyer.
It marked the beginning of a new chapter in the home’s story. The current owner has fully renovated the property — and the result is awe-inspiring.
Now, the 3,481-square-foot estate sitting on nearly an acre of riverfront land is for sale for $2.5 million.
A landmark reborn: Originally built by iconic developer Buzz Oates in 1973, this 3,481-square-foot, four-bedroom estate on nearly an acre along the American River has been fully restored and is now offered at $2.5 million.
“(The current owner) wanted to bring back the home, update it to be more contemporary, but keep the Tudor style the way Buzz Oates originally wanted,” McIntosh-Milburn said.
McIntosh-Milburn was not involved financially in the restoration but worked with the seller as a team, engaging in the project beyond the traditional role of a real estate agent. She offered advice on design and construction and helped with some of the required physical tasks.
This week, she sat on the home’s expansive patio above the banks of the iconic river and talked about the joy of seeing the property finally come together.
“It’s pretty amazing to just sit here when it’s quiet and listen and watch the river,” McIntosh-Milburn said. “I have been working on this project for two years, and it never gets old.”
A dramatic entry: From the gated drive lined with manicured trees to the lighted pickleball and tennis court, the estate’s arrival is as impressive as its views.
Lighted pickleball court
The estate is nestled in a wealthy enclave in the La Riviera neighborhood on the south side of the American River.
“This property is stunning with the view and sound of the river, but it’s also about the pool overlooking the river, ample space for outdoor entertaining, and a tennis court on site,” Ryan Lundquist, a Sacramento appraiser and housing market analyst, said. “This one (is marked by) high-quality elements throughout the interior. “
The property’s allure begins the minute the private gate opens. The long driveway up to the home is surrounded by manicured grounds and mature trees. The lighted tennis/pickleball court sits near the house in front.
“Some homes offer space, and some offer luxury, and then there’s 9815 Mira Del Rio Drive — a one of a kind, riverfront estate where both come together in the most unforgettable way,” McIntosh-Milburn said in a marketing video. “This is more than just a property. It’s an experience.“
Heritage meets contemporary style inside, where soaring ceilings, exposed beams, and walls of windows fill the home with natural light and luxury — every detail honoring Buzz Oates’ original Tudor vision.
Inside, soaring ceilings, exposed beams and expansive windows define the luxurious estate. There are four bedrooms, six bathrooms and four fireplaces.
The upstairs primary suite is a sanctuary with a private terrace where rise-and-shine time is accompanied by sounds of birds and the river. The centerpiece of the attached, spa-like primary bathroom is a deep-soak tub that sits in front of a window with a view.
The designer kitchen features high-end appliances, an oversized island and breakfast bay that provides even more panoramic water views.
The magic unfolds outdoors — folding glass doors open the grand room to an expansive riverfront patio and modern pool, delivering seamless indoor-outdoor living with panoramic water views.
Grand room to riverfront patio
Folding glass doors in the grand room open out to the oversized riverfront patio.
“It’s outside where the magic truly unfolds” — whether it’s in the form of epic parties or peaceful solitude, McIntosh-Milburn said.
Adjacent to the patio is the fully remodeled pool and spa that benefit from Delta breezes coming right off the river. There’s an outdoor bathroom, shower and dressing room next to the pool.
A whimsical touch is found upstairs in a bedroom where a sliding bookcase opens into an 850-square-foot bonus room that can be used as a theater room, gym, yoga space, art studio, play area and more.
In the mid-1970s, the Mira del Rio home sold for $260,000 — a transaction that represented the most expensive single-family home sale in the city at the time, according to a Sacramento Bee article.
Dr. George Wernette, a local surgeon who also co-founded Tri Tool Technologies, bought the residence from Oates, according to public records. Wernette took care of the property until he sold it in 1997 to the third owner in the home’s history.
The upstairs primary suite offers a private terrace and spa-like bath with a deep-soaking tub beside the window, where morning sun and the sound of the river create the perfect personal retreat.
Top of the home market
In the La Riviera haven on the northern side of Mira Del Rio Drive, next to the American River, lots tend to be larger, the homes stately and the river views unparalleled. The parcels sit slightly higher than some of the other river properties around the Sacramento region, offering a sense of privacy, Lundquist said.
The highest MLS sale on Mira Del Rio Drive was a $1.73 million deal in 2024. There was also a $1.65 million transaction in 2018. Today, two riverfront listings on Mira Del Rio Drive hover around $2.5 million, Lundquist said.
Marvin “Buzz” Oates was renowned for transforming the region with his large-scale commercial and industrial projects. His longtime community involvement and philanthropic contributions included a wide range of causes from education and homelessness to youth and women services. He died in 2013.
See Sacramento home with unmatched views of American River and custom surprises throughout
