Gates behind the gates in Poway

The sprawling Poway mansion at 14105 Biscayne Place is described in listing materials as “the Trophy Estate at the Heritage,” a private gated community of 111 custom homes encircling the nationally acclaimed Maderas Golf Club.

Sited on over 2.5 acres of land, the home itself features five bedrooms, eight baths, and 15,844 square feet of living area. Last sold in 2013 for just over $9 million, the home’s current owner is said to have spent another $3 million in renovations over the past three years.

“Your private cul-de-sac awaits in the gates behind the gates,” state advertising remarks, noting that a second lot included in the sale brings the estate to “just under four acres of manicured grounds.”

“Twenty-plus foot ceilings greet you upon entry, with custom travertine flooring and immediate views.” The entry level “features formal living room, cigar lounge with humidor, 1200-bottle temperature controlled wine room with separate tasting room, full home theater with snack bar and ambient ceiling lighting, chef’s kitchen with Caesar stone counters, stainless steel appliances, butler’s pantry,” and a “solarium dining area flooded with light and water feature.”

The first floor also includes a guest bedroom suite and 660-square-foot family room, while the upper level has three more en-suite bedrooms and the master, which “features a seating area with fireplace, views of the golf course, two large walk-in closets, two showers, soaking tub, three vanities, and a second laundry room.”

In proper Southern California fashion, “the luxury living continues outdoors, with infinity edge pool” and a pool house that could double as guest quarters with its own living/game room, “four televisions, fireplace, full gym, bathroom with shower, and a Roman steam spa.” The pool house is adjacent to a covered outdoor living area with flat-screen television and full outdoor kitchen, built-in barbecue, two refrigerators, and a pizza oven.

Other features include a tennis court and five-car garage. While the included secondary lot could be used to build another estate, the owner also has the option of retaining it as parkland.

When the Biscayne estate was last sold by Gerald and Patrice Simonsen for $9,075,000 in June of 2013 it earned the distinction of being the highest-valued transfer in the neighborhood. It currently carries an annual property-tax bill exceeding $96,000.

The owner of the property had a brief and highly publicized stay in San Diego. When Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Matt Kemp was traded to the Padres prior to the 2015 season, new ownership of the local baseball club was hoping to make a big splash and prove to a beleaguered fan base they were serious about winning. Kemp was hailed as a cornerstone of the new club, and it was frequently noted by media that he’d purchased the Poway home well before the trade was announced as a way of endearing him to locals.

Unfortunately, age and injuries, including a severe case of arthritis, hounded Kemp during his stay, and his performance never matched the expectations of a $20+ million salary, though he did become the only Padre in franchise history to hit for the cycle — a single, double, triple, and home run all in the same game. By July of 2016, less than two full seasons after his arrival, Kemp was traded to the Atlanta Braves.

The Poway estate, however, wasn’t immediately listed for sale. Though records indicate it’s no longer owner-occupied, the property remained off-market until December 12, 2016, when it was listed for $11,500,000 — less than the reported cost of acquisition and upgrades. If it fetches that price, it’ll once again set a record for the Heritage community.