The Kirchheimer family closed on a sale of their 1.55‑acre La Cañada Flintridge estate for $8.5 million in 2025, a price that matched the property’s unique blend of luxury and whimsy.
The couple had purchased the property in 2008, discovering remnants of an old backyard railway that they chose to restore rather than demolish, turning the estate into a living attraction.
The centerpiece, the Flintheim Railroad, is a five‑passenger garden railway designed by Walt Disney Imagineer Bill Tyson. It features a train station with a crossing light, a tunnel, two bridges, a general store, and a mining camp, mirroring the historic Grizzly Flats Railroad shed that also sits on the grounds.
Kathy Seuylemezian, the listing agent, described the property as a “captivating blend of stately, bucolic and magical,” noting that the house offers six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a chef’s kitchen with a Sub‑Zero fridge, and a grand foyer with a curved staircase. The grounds include a 50‑by‑19‑foot pool, rose garden, pergola, and a fenced vegetable plot, all surrounded by citrus and oak trees.
Security is bolstered by a 20‑kW generator, Ring cameras, and a San Marino system, while the two‑car garage and circular driveway accommodate up to a dozen vehicles.
The estate’s proximity to the freeway and local schools drew swift interest, and its multiple La Cañada Beautiful awards underscored its curb appeal.
The listing was withdrawn once the sale was finalized, marking the end of a high‑profile transaction that highlighted the region’s capacity for blending opulent living with playful engineering.