On a Street Named Shangrila

Longing to live in Shangri-La?

Well, here's an opportunity to own a custom architectural home with a Shangri-La address—8148 Shangrila Drive, to be exact.

There's more, of course, to the story of this Sacramento-area home, which has been pulling in many fans of architect Carter Sparks, the legend who designed thousands of Sacramento's Streng Bros. homes.

Priced at $699,000, this one is classic Sparks—very original looking, though perhaps a bit timeworn.

A gem nonetheless.

Built in 1975 but with a look and feel of a modern home from the immediate postwar era, the Shangrila residence is situated among the rolling hills and tree-lined streets of the Fair Oaks Estates neighborhood in Fair Oaks, Sacramento County.

It is unusual to see such a well-preserved original home; and this is one that a loving steward could certainly make shine again.

"I don't think I've ever had a house that has had so much interest," says Rodney Reno, of One Choice Real Estate in Roseville, who is the listing agent.

"We had 57 showings in three days, and my phone just never stopped ringing," Reno adds. "It started at 6:42am on the day we listed, and people still want to get in there to see it…that's the absolute truth."

"Going into this I didn't know who Carter Sparks was," Reno admits. "But the sellers said we should include that Carter Sparks was the architect. Before I did that I did a bit of research, and discovered people sure do love Carter Sparks."

Sparks' signature style is evident throughout the Shangrila home, from its unimposing wood exterior to its multi-level shifts, garden views, soaring open-beam ceilings, wood-slat room dividers, to light fixtures of the architect's own design.

The home sits on a level lot with a curving driveway, two-car garage, all sheltered by large shade trees. The 2,799 square foot, four-bedroom, three-bath home is built on a 0.39-acre lot. It is conveniently located near elementary, junior, and high schools in the San Juan Unified School District.