With origins dating back to 1879, the adobe home of Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton is a stunning example of late 19th-century Sonoran rowhouse architecture blissfully restored for modern desert life. With historic architectural details carefully preserved, the home has been updated to accommodate 21st-century living in the heart of historic Barrio Viejo near downtown Tucson. Design-minded agents Aileen Comora and Paul Lester are working with a local Tucson realtor to bring the home to market, emphasizing its unique history, rooted in local culture.
About 33 years before Arizona became a state, the home was built by Giovanni “Juan/John” Pascale, an Italian-born carpenter who owned and rented many homes in the area. The original portion of the building was his family’s home for decades, with additional units added on as his family grew. The Pascale Adobe remained in the family until 1943 after which it would change hands numerous times and be saved from demolition over the decades. In 2014, food writer Kathe Lison and her husband Chris Cokinos fell in love with the property, embarking on a four-year, in-depth renovation of the .38-acre retreat. The architecturally savvy Keaton, who has bought and flipped numerous historic high-end homes, added her creative vision to this residence after purchasing it in 2018.
Designed to maximize its truly special desert location, the single-story abode features 3,491 square feet of living space, including a three-bedroom main house with a library, media room and stunning owner’s suite with an expansive dressing room and antique bathtub. A large, attached one-bedroom, one-bath guest house affords privacy with a full kitchen and laundry room.
Throughout the residence, find wood-beamed ceilings, oversized pendant lights, dark slate floors and clerestory windows drawing natural light from above. Herringbone-style brick floors and mud-plastered walls add rustic style throughout, while the kitchen boasts new cabinetry and stainless steel appliances.
Outdoor living is the focus of the desert gem, featuring private courtyards and a spacious backyard with a sparkling pool, pool house, mature leafy trees and environmentally conscious landscaping.
View more photos of the property below, and contact Aileen Comora and Paul Lester for more information.
