Google's Ruth Porat splashes an eye-watering $30m on Levi Strauss home

It may just have three bedrooms and an acre of land - not much compared to its neighbors. But this colonial-style home in Palo Alto, California, has just been snapped up by Google chief financial officer for an eye-watering $30 million.

It may just have three bedrooms and an acre of land - not much compared to its neighbors.

But this colonial-style home in Palo Alto, California, has just been snapped up by Google chief financial officer for an eye-watering $30 million.

Ruth Porat, who moved to the tech firm from Morgan Stanley in March, discreetly acquired the sought-after property on Cowper Street in July.

According to the Palo Alto Daily Post, it is the biggest purchase ever made in the neighborhood.  

This is the colonial-style Palo Alto home built for Louise Stern, an heir to Levi Strauss, which has sold to Google's CFO for $30 million

This is the colonial-style Palo Alto home built for Louise Stern, an heir to Levi Strauss, which has sold to Google's CFO for $30 million

With terracotta-tiled roofs, wrought iron windows, and nestling trees, it is a work of art by revered architect Birge Clark

With terracotta-tiled roofs, wrought iron windows, and nestling trees, it is a work of art by revered architect Birge Clark

Ruth Porat, who moved to Google from Morgan Stanley in March, discreetly acquired the sought-after property on Cowper Street in July

Ruth Porat, who moved to Google from Morgan Stanley in March, discreetly acquired the sought-after property on Cowper Street in July

The abode's terracotta-tiled roofs and wrought iron-framed windows were originally designed for Louise Stern, an heir to denim pioneer Levi Strauss in 1932, in the previously rural area.

Almost 100 years later, it is a hub for Silicon Valley executives and their luxurious mansions. 

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The property, which was not publicly listed, was last sold for $1 million in 1978, and has been unoccupied for years. 

It was designed by Birge Clark, a celebrated architect in Palo Alto, whose affection for Spanish colonial-style homes inspired a wave of similarly-inspired properties in the area.

According to Past Heritage, Clark met Stern in 1931 and offered to build two near-identical homes on Cowper Street: one for her and one for her disabled daughter Ruth.  

The property, which was not publicly listed, was last sold for $1 million in 1978, and has been unoccupied for years

The property, which was not publicly listed, was last sold for $1 million in 1978, and has been unoccupied for years

Clark met Stern (pictured, right) in 1931 and offered to build two next-door homes: one for her and one for her disabled daughter Ruth (left)

Clark met Stern (pictured, right) in 1931 and offered to build two next-door homes: one for her and one for her disabled daughter Ruth (left)

The two homes, 1990 Cowper Street and 1950 Cowper Street, are connected by a secret garden with fountains and patios 

The two homes, 1990 Cowper Street and 1950 Cowper Street, are connected by a secret garden with fountains and patios 

A previously rural area, the neighborhood is a hub for Silicon Valley executives and their luxurious mansions almost 100 years later

A previously rural area, the neighborhood is a hub for Silicon Valley executives and their luxurious mansions almost 100 years later

Inside, the ceilings are lined with heavy wooden beams. There are servants quarters and guest quarters

Inside, the ceilings are lined with heavy wooden beams. There are servants quarters and guest quarters

Porat's purchase comes after she landed $70 million in compensation, a $5 million one-time signing bonus, and a $25 million stock grant

Porat's purchase comes after she landed $70 million in compensation, a $5 million one-time signing bonus, and a $25 million stock grant

The project provided welcome relief for new widow, whose husband Louis, president of the denim company, died in 1924 - making Louise the new owner.

Inside, the ceilings are lined with heavy wooden beams. There are servants quarters and guest quarters. Between Louise's home, at 1990 Cowper Street, and Ruth's, at 1950 Cowper Street, there lay a 'secret garden' landscaped by Les Kiler. 

Porat's purchase comes after she landed $70 million in compensation, a $5 million one-time signing bonus, and a $25 million stock grant on joining Google, according to Bloomberg. 

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