5353 N Camino Escuela Tucson, AZ 85718
7 Beds
8 Baths
5,868 SqFt
UPDATED:
Key Details
Property Type Single Family Home
Sub Type Single Family Residence
Listing Status Active
Purchase Type For Sale
Square Footage 5,868 sqft
Price per Sqft $680
Subdivision Catalina Foothills Estates
MLS Listing ID 22623140
Style Spanish,Santa Fe
Bedrooms 7
Full Baths 8
HOA Y/N No
Year Built 1936
Annual Tax Amount $10,282
Tax Year 2025
Lot Size 8.040 Acres
Acres 8.04
Lot Dimensions Irregular
Property Sub-Type Single Family Residence
Source MLS of Southern Arizona
Property Description
Encompassing more than eight acres atop a saguaro-studded hilltop, the estate lies within the magical and coveted ''Old Foothills,'' where money whispers and life seems to move at a slower, more gracious pace. At its heart is an extraordinary 1936 residence designed by renowned Swiss-born architect Josias Joesler, whose work helped define the architectural identity of the Catalina Foothills. The property represents a remarkable convergence of architectural provenance, timeless beauty, understated charm and an increasingly irreplaceable sense of place--a combination unlikely to ever be duplicated.
Guided by an artist's eye and an uncompromising approach to quality, the current stewards have meticulously maintained and thoughtfully updated the estate to a standard rarely encountered in Tucson, particularly in a residence of this vintage. Yet what makes the restoration so successful is not simply what has been added, but what has deliberately been left alone.
The experience begins before reaching the front door. As the drive winds upward through the native desert, the city gradually falls away and the property reveals itself. Custom antique iron gates announce your arrival and immediately establish the tone. There is an unmistakable sense of having been transported to another time--a bygone era of gracious desert living that feels increasingly difficult to find, and perhaps impossible to recreate.
The estate is comprised of a four-bedroom, four-bath main residence together with an attached one-bedroom, one-bath casita offering its own private entrance. A separate two-bedroom, two-bath guest house overlooks the newly completed pool and olive grove, creating a private setting that rivals many of Tucson's finest resorts. Throughout the property, virtually all of the heavy lifting has been completed, including the roof, water lines, septic system, electrical, landscaping, kitchen, interior and exterior paint, lighting and numerous other improvements. Each was undertaken with an uncompromising attention to detail while respecting the character, craftsmanship and architectural vocabulary that define Joesler's most enduring work.
Original steel casement windows, period door hardware, colored concrete floors, exposed beamed ceilings and hand-carved doors have been carefully preserved. They are complemented by sophisticated modern improvements, including a beautifully appointed new gourmet kitchen with soapstone countertops and top-of-the-line stainless-steel appliances, a basement wine cellar, state-of-the-art security and an entirely new lighting system throughout. The result is a residence that remains remarkably authentic to its history while functioning beautifully for modern-day living. Beyond the architecture lies what may ultimately be the estate's greatest luxury- Land. Approximately eight acres in the very heart of the Catalina Foothills surround the residence, creating a degree of privacy, space and separation that has become increasingly rare. Mature native desert vegetation and towering saguaros frame the property, while the elevated setting provides extraordinary views in nearly every direction. The result feels remarkably removed from the city, yet the estate remains in the heart of the Foothills, with dining, shopping, resorts, clubs and everyday conveniences only minutes away. For the buyer seeking an even more significant legacy holding, an adjacent parcel of approximately 2.5 acres may also be available, creating the possibility of assembling more than ten contiguous acres in the Old Foothills. In one of Tucson's most established and coveted residential enclaves, an intact holding of this scale has become virtually unheard of.
Natural wash access and an existing barn--now converted into a workshop and garage for the family "work horse"--also provide intriguing possibilities for the equestrian buyer. The acreage offers equally compelling opportunities for a private family compound, additional guest residences, gardens and recreational amenities, or simply preserving the extraordinary open desert that gives the estate its unmistakable character. More than a residence, this is a rare piece of Tucson's architectural and cultural history: an exceptional Joesler surrounded by the kind of acreage, privacy and untouched Sonoran Desert that recalls the Catalina Foothills as they once were. For the discerning buyer seeking significant architecture, history, privacy, extraordinary views and irreplaceable land, opportunities of this caliber are seldom available--and increasingly impossible to recreate.
Location
State AZ
County Pima
Community Catalina Foothills Estates
Area North
Zoning Pima County - CR1
Direction Campbell & Skyline south to Camino Juan Paisano. East to Camino Real. South to Camino Norberto. West to Camino Escuela. South to address. OR Campbell & River East to Camino Escuela. North to address.
Rooms
Guest Accommodations House, Quarters
Master Bathroom 2 Primary Baths
Interior
Interior Features High Ceilings, Beamed Ceilings, Walk-In Closet(s), Entrance Foyer, Built-in Features, Kitchen Island
Heating Gas Pac
Cooling Central Air, Zoned, Ceiling Fans
Flooring Mexican Tile, Concrete
Fireplaces Number 7
Fireplaces Type Gas
Equipment Satellite Dish
Fireplace Yes
Laundry Energy Star Qualified Dryer
Exterior
Exterior Feature Built-in Barbecue, Barbecue, Native Plants, Courtyard
Parking Features Workshop in Garage, Electric Door Opener, Detached, Separate Storage Area, Circular Driveway
Garage Spaces 2.0
Garage Description 2.0
Fence Masonry
Pool Heated
Community Features Horses Allowed, Walking Trail
Amenities Available None
View Y/N Yes
Water Access Desc City
View Mountain(s), Sunrise, Sunset, Desert, City, Panoramic
Roof Type Built-Up - Reflect
Porch Covered
Total Parking Spaces 2
Garage Yes
Building
Lot Description Adjacent to Wash, Hillside Lot, Dividable Lot, Elevated Lot, Shrubs, Sprinkler/Drip, Decorative Gravel, Sprinklers In Front, North/South Exposure
Story 1
Entry Level 1
Sewer Septic Tank
Architectural Style Spanish, Santa Fe
Level or Stories One
Schools
Elementary Schools Manzanita
Middle Schools Orange Grove
High Schools Catalina Fthls
School District Catalina Foothills
Others
HOA Name Catalina Foothills
Senior Community No
Tax ID 10815104G
Acceptable Financing VA Loan, Conventional, Cash, Submit
Horse Property Yes - By Zoning
Listing Terms VA Loan, Conventional, Cash, Submit
Special Listing Condition None
