This pricey parcel has a prime location — and that’s about it.
The San Francisco Bay’s only private island lacks water and electricity, but remains holding out for a buyer willing to pay big for the honor of owning it.
Known as Red Rock Island, the spit of land hit the market in November with a price tag of $25 million.
Spanning approximately 6 acres, the domed outcropping off San Francisco’s Richmond-San Rafael Bridge offers panoramic bay views from its top, and is only accessible by boat or helicopter.
It features steep cliffs, a rocky shoreline and a smattering of plant life, but the seller, Brock Durning, hopes he can score a big payout on the basis of it being a trophy property.
“We believe this is like owning a Leonardo da Vinci or a Rothko,” broker Chris Lim, who represents Durning, told the New York Times. “This is something someone would want in their portfolio like art or a sculpture.”
The island is located near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. Jam Press Vid/Aerial Canvas
The island is only accessible by boat or helicopter. Jam Press/Aerial Canvas
Red Rock is the only privately owned island in the San Francisco Bay. Jam Press/Aerial Canvas
Birds perched on Red Rock Island. Jam Press Vid/Aerial Canvas
The island lacks water and electricity. Jam Press Vid/Aerial Canvas
Agent Chris Lim is seen showing the island. Jam Press Vid/Aerial Canvas
In all, the island measures in at about 6 acres. Jam Press Vid/Aerial Canvas
The view from the top. Jam Press Vid/Aerial Canvas
The island doesn’t even have much in the way of plant life. Jam Press/Aerial Canvas
The island boasts a rocky beach. Jam Press Vid/Aerial Canvas
Agent Chris Lim on the island’s shore. Jam Press Vid/Aerial Canvas
Durning grew up camping on the island, his father having been granted ownership of it by his business partner, attorney David Glickman, who purchased it for $49,500 in 1964 before moving to Thailand, according to the Times.
Before that, in the early 1800s, Red Rock was occupied by Russian fur traders — and then the US Navy commander and state senator Selim Woodworth, who constructed a long-gone cabin on the isle.
Over the decades, many potential incarnations have been suggested and even planned for the island — a hotel, a Playboy Club, a helipad, a restaurant, a wedding chapel — but it has remained wholly undeveloped, and past sale attempts never succeeded.
Over the past 20 years, private island listing site CEO Chris Krolow tells the Times he’s seen Red Rock go on and off the market with asking prices ranging from $5 million to its current $25 million ask, its highest yet, but has little faith it’ll find a buyer.
“We call them our decorative islands,” Krolow explained. “They look really nice and they get a lot of attention, but they don’t sell.”