Tour the Historic Fényes Mansion You’ve Seen on the ‘West Wing’ and More
If you’ve ever seen The West Wing, The Social Network, or Beyoncé’s music video for “Formation,” then you might recognize the Fényes mansion in Pasadena, California. This sprawling estate was home to Eva Fényes and her husband, Dr. Adalbert Fényes in the early 1900s, and throughout the years has gained notoriety not just for its breathtaking design, but also for its historic architectural significance. And today, Drew is taking us on a tour of the property to show us an exclusive look at the mansion and all of its treasured details.
Built in Pasadena in 1906, the 10,000 square-foot home has a whopping 22 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms. It includes a grand foyer, drawing room, dining room, kitchen and butler’s pantry, study, upstairs sitting room, and more. Today, it’s a designated Pasadena Cultural Heritage landmark, a Point of Historic Interest by the state of California, and the home of the Pasadena Museum of History. It’s a part of history, and thanks to the efforts of the Pasadena Museum of History (formerly Pasadena Historical Society), the property has been impeccably preserved since 1970.
The Impact of Eva Fényes
Eva Fényes wasn’t just a socialite—she was a savvy businesswoman, a formally trained watercolor artist, a patron of the arts, a philanthropist, and so much more. She was the daughter of the New York publisher Leonard Scott and his wife, Rebecca Briggs Scott. Raised in New York City, she formally studied art in New York, Europe, and Egypt. After divorcing her first husband Lt. William S. Muse, Eva traveled throughout Europe and Egypt while their daughter Leonora attended boarding school. Eva eventually met Dr. Adelbert Fényes, who she married in Budapest and settled down with in Pasadena.
Eva was part of many arts and philanthropic organizations, such as the Pasadena Music and Art Association, Landmarks Club of California, the Southwest Society, and was even on the board of trustees at the Southwest Museum. She was a pillar in the arts community, helping open literary salons and more. She was an incredibly savvy businesswoman as well, with lucrative investment properties and business shops that allowed her to create the grand estate. The impact of her work is still seen today, throughout the bustling arts scene in Pasadena and beyond.
Details in the Fényes Home
During this period, the beauty was in the detail. Even the smallest aspects, such as the shape of glassware or the fabric of the linens, were intentionally designed with the home style in mind. Each facet was part of a larger, eclectic collective. “Everywhere you look, from the floor to the rugs up to the ceiling, there’s so much detail. Everything was epic,” Drew says. The Beaux Arts-style home features elaborate design elements, from the ornate designs in the furniture to the thoughtfully-styled study complete with a hidden spiral staircase for performing musicians and a fire shield to protect guests from the heat of the fireplace.
Want to see everything else this stunning spot has to offer? Watch the full video above and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube for our other historic home tours, Drew and Jonathan’s best advice, and more.
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Bree Pulver
Bree is the Senior Digital Editor at DrewandJonathan.com. In the past, she’s worked for publications focused on home improvement and sustainable living. Bree’s Pinterest board is filled with cozy textures; vintage patterns; sculptural furniture; and moody, warm-toned colors. She has a degree concentrated in the intersection of writing and architecture, which influences her passion for exploring creative solutions to unusual home layouts and stylish renter-friendly decor. She’s a self-proclaimed pro at finding the best antique furniture in the most unlikely of places (but her cat Blue can certainly back these claims).
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