New hope for Seven Oaks

It's a welcome turn of events for city officials, who filed a lawsuit last month when the estate applied to demolish the home where famed Bank of America founder A.P. Giannini once lived. As first reported in the Daily Journal May 4, the estate has since donated the home to Abrazos & Books, a nonprofit group based in Santa Clara County.

Former television reporter Rigo Chacon, who heads the group, could not be reached for comment. Mason said Chacon's chief interest is in converting the home into an asset for his scholarship organization, however.

"He's open to restoring the home," Mason said.

Within the next few days, Mason said he will work with Chacon's representatives to arrange for a building inspector from the city to assess Seven Oaks.

"We needs to see what can be done to rehabilitate the home," Mason said.

Although the city hasn't ruled out any options, Mason said the most likely outcome right now is that the home will be restored and put on the market. It hasn't yet been determined who will foot the restoration costs, but Mason said the city doesn't have the money to do it.

If Abrazos & Books benefits enormously from Seven Oaks, Chacon said earlier this month he's thinking of expanding scholarships to students in San Mateo County.

For several years now, trustees of the Giannini estate have donated thousands of dollars to Abrazos and Books. Just last year, Chacon said the group received a $200,000 donation from the estate.

Originally a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, it has since expanded in the 1930s and 1940s. That expansion has led to water damage and mold.

The city has been battling to save Seven Oaks since Giannini's daughter Claire Giannini Hoffman died in 1997. Claire Giannini Hoffman said in her will that she did not believe anyone could do justice to the preservation of her father's memory or his home and said it should be demolished.

Yunmi Choi can be reached by e-mail at yunmi@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 109. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.