A Landmark of Legacy in the Heart of the Rose Garden. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to steward one of San Jose’s most treasured estates. A generational offering of scale, substance, and story. Welcome to the Wilder-Hait Mansion, an architectural crown jewel nestled in the heart of the Rose Garden neighborhood, resting gracefully upon 1.155 lush, storybook acres — the largest private residential lot in the entire district. A property of unrivaled prominence, where history lingers in every stone, beam, and breeze.

Commissioned in the 1920s for Frank Wilder — co-founder of the pioneering Pratt-Low Cannery, one of Santa Clara County’s largest and most influential employers — and his wife, Ethel, this magnificent estate was thoughtfully conceived by the esteemed architectural firm Binder & Curtis. Their vision brought to life an exquisite interpretation of the Modern English Tudor Revival, rich in detail, poetic in form, and steeped in old-world elegance.

At first glance, the home stuns with its steeply pitched gable roofs, prominent arched entryway, and decorative half-timbering. But it is upon closer inspection that the soul of the estate reveals itself. Tall, narrow multi-pane windows invite the golden California light to dance across the original hardwoods. Diamond-leaded casements, anchored with hand-forged metal hinges, whisper of craftsmanship from another era. Ornate scuppers, stucco privacy walls crowned with stone finials, and a floor plan shaped like an L, with a graceful single-story rear wing extending southeast — all details purposefully chosen to echo its English inspirations while embracing California charm.

The grounds evoke the romance of a countryside manor. A sweeping lawn, towering redwood grove, and landscaped gardens offer serenity and spectacle in equal measure. A sparkling swimming pool, classic cabana, and detached three-car garage complete the estate’s elegant footprint. Here is a canvas for grand celebrations, philanthropic galas, twilight garden parties, or tranquil afternoons under the shade of century-old trees. A place where community leaders once gathered, and where new legacies await.

But this is more than architecture — it is a living artifact of San Jose’s social and cultural history. After the Wilders, the estate was passed to James and Ruth Hait in 1945. Mr. Hait, a celebrated engineer and inventor in the field of Ordnance materiel, brought his own chapter of innovation and stature. In the 1950s, the Levy family, owners of the beloved Stratford’s Clothing Store on South First Street, became stewards of the home. By the late 1960s, the estate transitioned to the YMCA, which operated its administrative offices from within these walls for over three decades — preserving the spirit of community at its core.

Now, after more than a century of influence, the Wilder-Hait Mansion seeks a new visionary. One with reverence for heritage, and a passion for restoring the grandeur, grace, and quiet dignity this estate so richly deserves. This is not simply a home — it is a chapter in San Jose’s living history. A chance to own a residence that is at once architecturally distinguished, socially significant, and wholly irreplaceable.

For those who dream in character and think in legacy — this is your moment.