A 1908 Presbyterian church in San Anselmo, California, reborn as a luxury residence after decades as a legendary recording studio, hits the market for $4.4 million. Van Morrison, Huey Lewis, and Jefferson Starship once recorded there; the Beatles stored gear in its basement. The property represents a rare intersection of architectural history, musical heritage, and modern luxury living.
The Big Picture
The property began as a quaint church in 1908, expanded shortly after to accommodate a growing congregation. In 1966, it transformed into one of Marin County's most storied recording studios, drawing musicians with its exceptional acoustics. Between the 1960s and 1980s, artists like Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs, Jefferson Starship, and Huey Lewis recorded live performances there. A lower-level bedroom even housed the Beatles' instruments during their final San Francisco show in 1966. The studio, informally known as "The Church Studio," became a creative hub during the heyday of psychedelic rock and folk music, when Marin County was a magnet for counterculture musicians. The natural reverb from the 22-foot ceilings and original brick walls created a sound that modern recording engineers still try to replicate with expensive digital processors and acoustic panels.
Current owners purchased the structure for $995,000 in 2014 and embarked on an "architecturally sensitive" conversion into a private residence. The 4,553-square-foot interior features 22-foot vaulted ceilings, exposed steel beams, stained concrete floors, and a steel-reinforced glass staircase leading to an open-concept living area. Listing agent Chris DeNike of Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage describes the space as "a contemporary loft in the city" that "takes the senses to another level." The renovation included a gourmet kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, a custom HVAC system designed for the unique volume, and preservation of the original stained-glass windows. The result is a seamless blend of industrial loft aesthetics and spiritual sanctuary, where modern minimalism meets rock-and-roll history.
