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The home of late Blackhawk founder Ken Behring is up for auction from June 28 to July 18. (Photo by Brian Kitts, courtesy Steven Magner and David Duncan Livingston)

The prominent home of late Blackhawk developer and founder Ken Behring is now up for auction through the middle of July after being placed on the market for the first time ever last year.

The high bid for the sprawling, 4.5-acre Behring Estate located above the Blackhawk Country Club at 81 Eagle Ridge Place was at $10 million as of Tuesday evening, nearly a year after it was put on the market for an asking price of just under $25 million in August 2023. 

“The new owner of this iconic property will not just possess a home; they’ll own a piece of living history that stands as a hallmark among residences in Blackhawk and the broader East Bay,” real estate agent JouJou Chawla told Embarcadero Media.

The property has been a staple in Blackhawk since early in the planned community’s history, with Behring purchasing the property that was previously known as Blackhawk Ranch in 1975 for the purposes of developing housing and a small community in the unincorporated Contra Costa County territory outside of Danville.

Construction on the estate was completed in 1988, with the property having served as a landmark in the community ever since, as well as being home to Behring and his family prior to his death in 2019, followed by the death of his wife in 2022.

“Having sold real estate for over 40 years, I can confidently say that this home’s craftsmanship and choice of materials are unmatched,” Chawla said. “It’s a rare find that showcases a level of quality and detail that couldn’t be replicated today.”

Behring’s former home is more than 26,600 square feet in size, consisting of seven bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, and six half-bathrooms in addition to sculptures, a pool, and other water features and landscaping.

“From the moment you approach this estate, its beauty enchants and captivates,” Chawla said. “Being involved with such a significant home within the Blackhawk community is truly an honor, a testament to the enduring allure and prestige that defines this remarkable residence.”

In addition to the estate, Behring, who was owner of the Seattle Seahawks from 1988 to 1997, continues to be known for his wide-ranging philanthropy even after his death, having worked to found the nonprofit Wheelchair Foundation and the Blackhawk Museum. 

Last year, John Muir Health received a record-breaking $20 million grant from the Behring Global Education foundation for the development of a new cancer treatment facility at the Walnut Creek hospital, which opened earlier this year. 

Bidding for the Behring Estate started on June 28 and is set to remain open through July 18. Viewings are available by appointment.

“From its sprawling 7,000-square-foot ballroom to the exquisite collection of art and artifacts, this home presents an unparalleled opportunity,” Chawla said. “It’s a place where every imaginable luxury converges, offering the next owner not just a residence, but a rare chance to own a piece of history and an extraordinary living experience.”

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Jeanita Lyman is a second-generation Bay Area local who has been closely observing the changes to her home and surrounding area since childhood. Since coming aboard the Pleasanton Weekly staff in 2021,...

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