Tucked
away among the extravagant mansions that line Tiburon and Belvedere
lies a peculiar home. Built in the 1970s using imported lava rocks from
Hawaii, the Lava House has been attracting teens from all over Marin
for years. The actual house was never completed; the only part that was
finished was the garage, and this was partially burned in a fire in
1997. But that’s not what attracts people to it. What attracts them is
the property itself. With pillars, fountains built from lava rock, and
a raised stone pathway cutting through the property, it’s easy to see
why so many people go there. Stones line the ground, creating a walkway
with balconies jutting out and offering absolutely stunning views of
the bay.
Jerry Ganz, a seat belt magnate who made his fortune selling them to
General Motors, commissioned the house in the mid 1970s. The build
stopped, and was never completed. Ganz blamed this on the design of the
house, claiming it would never be livable. So there it sat, for over
three decades, abandoned. For the past decade Jerry Ganz has tried to
sell the house, to no avail. The lot is currently listed for $4.7
million. Ever since it was put on the market, “No Trespassing” signs
have been hung on the fence, blocking the lot from the street.
Some of the lava rock.
There are a few things to be wary of when visiting the house. The
roads to it are very narrow. If another car is coming the other way it
will be a tight squeeze to get by. Also, parking is restricted. If you
do not park in approved spaces, you risk having your car towed or
fined. And then there’s the actual trespassing. You don’t need to
worry too much if you're just stopping by to take a look, but if you're
with a big group, be cautious. Most of the time you’ll see people
peeking over the fence, trying to see the house. But the golden rule of
going to the house is be courteous of the neighbors. They’re not very
enthusiastic about people coming from all areas of Marin to their
backyard, with some people making a lot of noise and causing problems.
If you do go, don’t stay for too long. Take a quick look around and
leave. And never park in front of other homes or block people in. The
owners of nearby homes around can easily call the police if they become
annoyed.
The structure of the house.
If your in Tiburon or Mill Valley, it's a very cool place to go and see. I've been about a dozen times and it never gets old.
