Mid South Hillsborough
"The gradual elevation into the hills forms a brilliant backdrop for Mid South's collection of charismatic architecture: many of the most classic and extravagant designs in Town."
Some Representative Streets
Bates Road, Black Mountain Road, Chiltern (800-900 blocks), Culebra, La Cuesta, Link Road, Longview, Ridgeway, Via Delizia, Vista, West Santa Inez (upper), Whitwell, Willard
Overview:
Mid South is slightly further up the hill from Lower South, and revolves around one of Hillsborough’s only public parks, Vista Park. Streets such as Culebra, Chiltern, Vista, Ridgeway, Link, and Whitwell offer easy strolling distance to the kids’ playground, basketball court, and grassy soccer field at Vista Park. Much of the architecture is richly charismatic and of the East Coast vernacular, with many grand Tudors, Colonials, Spanish, and Mediterraneans on display. Pockets of pre-war classics on streets such as Chiltern, Culebra, and Vista blend into areas of 1950s/1960s mid-century moderns and ranchers on streets such as Via Delizia and Longview. Mid South is a bit notorious for its twisty country lanes, and even with GPS navigation engaged, arriving guests may do some double takes! But the circuitous gradual elevation into the hills makes a brilliant backdrop to stately traditional homes. In summer 2020, two strong sales raised the bar for Mid South's newer constructions: 910 Link Road getting overbid from $8,200,000 up to $8,800,000, and nearby 935 Chiltern getting overbid from $8,995,000 up to $9,500,000.
In addition to the convenience of Vista Park, the Mid South neighborhood (being midway up the hill), connects easily via Black Mountain Road to Highway 280. There is also an easy connection via the nearby Hillsborough Blvd thoroughfare into downtown Burlingame. Although walking into town becomes mostly prohibitive, the Mid South neighborhood is a picturesque spot for joggers and scenic strolls.
Mid South has some architectural claims to fame: one of Hillsborough’s largest and most extravagant estates, the 835 Chiltern castle, anchors 6+ acres near the border of Mid South and Lower South. The museum-quality mansion of over 36,000 feet has twice represented the highest Hillsborough sale of all time, last sold in 2014 for $26,000,000, and also in the frothy Dot-Com era of Year 2000 at $37,500,000. Mid South is also home to one of only three Hillsborough properties on the National Register of Historic Places: the modernist Hoffman House by famous architect Richard Neutra found on La Cuesta Road. The other two Hillsborough houses on the National Register of Historic Places are the Carolands Chateau at 565 Remillard and La Dolphine 1761 Manor Drive.
The Mid South neighborhood is assigned primarily to South School. Mid South encompasses the area sometimes referred to as Hillsborough Park.
For Hillsborough School District Boundaries, North, South, West, By-Street click here.
Explore All Hillsborough Neighborhoods at Geoffrey Nelson’s Hillsborough Google Map.
Appeal for Residents and Homeseekers:
- A fabulous park for kids! Vista Park is walkable from many Mid South streets such as Vista, Ridgeway, parts of Black Mountain, Chiltern, Culebra, and Link
- Charismatic architecture overflows, including many timeless Spanish Colonials, Mediterraneans, Tudors, and East Coast classics.
Potentially Adverse For Residents and Homeseekers:
- Watch those street signs! Mid South is a bit notorious for its circuitous and winding country roads.
- Although walks and jogs are pleasant, the location is a little too far up the hill to be easily walkable into downtown Burlingame and San Mateo
Historic Notes:
One of Hillsborough’s largest legacy estates, and Hillsborough's #1 sale of all time, the circa-1920s compound of lumber baron Arthur Dale King, is discreetly walled, near the border of Mid South and Lower South on over 6 acres. Transformed in the 1990s, this castle-like manor at 835 Chiltern Road last changed hands in 2014 when it closed for $26,000,000 and also in Year 2000 at $37,500,000 defining the highest Hillsborough sale of all time. Mid South contains two of the three public parks in the Town of Hillsborough. Crossroads Park, at the confluence of Black Mountain, Hayne, and W. Santa Inez, was established in 2003 on the site of an abandoned water tank. It is essentially a "sitting park" with gardens and benches. Vista Park (pictured above) was renovated in 2006 complete with grassy field, basketball court, and playground. The third Hillsborough park is Centennial Park, established in 2009 on the grounds of Town Hall at Floribunda and El Camino. The Hillsborough Beautification Foundation is instrumental in the creation and posterity of these public parks, as well as many of the islands and roundabouts that accent streets.
