A Palo Alto Treehouse Designed Around Oaks and Redwoods

Location: 465 Hale Street, Palo Alto, California

Price: $16,000,000

Year Built: 2014

Architect: Aidlin Darling Design

Footprint: 5,135 square feet (4 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths)

From the Agents: "Known as The Treehouse, this award-winning home was designed to exist in close relationship with the remarkable oaks and redwoods that define the property. A grove of redwoods at the front of the property and a canopy of oaks at the rear shape the experience of the home, bringing drama, privacy, filtered light, and a sense of sanctuary. Expanses of glass frame these views from nearly every room, creating a tranquil indoor-outdoor connection and a daily living experience immersed in nature.

Designed by Aidlin Darling Design of San Francisco, the architecture emphasizes structural clarity, refined craftsmanship, and a thoughtful relationship to its surroundings. The trees are not merely preserved—they are central to the experience of the home, creating a sense of calm, beauty, and retreat from the outside world.

A pivoting front door stands beside a soaring two-story wall of glass that reveals afloating reclaimed-wood staircase framed in glass and illuminated by one of threeLindsey Adelman sculptural light fixtures. Radiant heat beneath terrazzo-style honed concrete floors on the main level and hardwood floors upstairs adds warmth and comfort throughout.

A central architectural element clad in custom-milled rough-sawn cedar spans the entire home. Each piece of cedar was individually cut and installed by a skilled craftsman, creating a richly textured surface that conceals extensive customized storage while maintaining the home’s clean architectural lines.