Historic Redwood Lodge

Mill Valley CA

A Legacy Restored

The historic Redwood Lodge story begins with the pioneering spirit of the family who first tamed this creekside forest in 1890. George Billings and Susannah Hall purchased four lots along Corte Madera Creek and crafted a sanctuary among the towering giants of Mill Valley. As builders they did more than construct a home; they laid the foundation for the community’s social fabric, hand-building the original tennis court and swimming hole along the creek, both of which would serve as the town’s first recreational heart. In a gesture of family devotion, the Billings’ later built 9 Eldridge for their daughter, weaving family bonds into the very timber of the site. Eventually building 2 additional guest houses, Redwood Lodge is a place where history resonates through the forest floor, holding the memory of a time when Mill Valley was a frontier of coastal redwoods, a twisting tourist railway up Mt. Tam, and the home of pioneering craftsmanship.

A Sacred Refuge and Years of Silence

There is a profound, spiritual weight to this land that transcends its architectural history. In a chapter of quiet bravery and global significance, the property once served as a secret haven for Buddhist monks fleeing the invasion of Tibet. Within the cool shadows of the redwoods, these exiled souls found a sanctuary of peace, their prayers and presence infusing the soil with a lasting, meditative grace. However, as the decades rolled by, the vibrant life of the Lodge faded into a long slumber. For many years, the property was neglected, the structures becoming dilapidated skeletons overtaken by the encroaching forest—waiting for a new generation of builders who could recognize the land’s enduring spirit.

A Labor of Love

Recently the land found a new family of builders whose connection to the original owners is found in their shared DNA of creation and grit. This restoration is not a project of distant contractors, but a collective family effort. With their own hands, the current owners have spent years clearing debris, stabilizing foundations, and breathing life back into the historic multifamily site. This revival extends beyond wood and stone; the wife and mother is a modern alchemist and guardian of the land, tending to hives of honeybees and crafting healing potions from herbs grown on-site. Her work mirrors his rejuvenation of the buildings, ensuring the ecosystem thrives alongside the architecture. They were called to the land, and are restoring it unlike anyone else could.

Stewardship of a Historic Landmark

Restoring & updating a historic multifamily property of this complexity requires a delicate balance between honoring the past and meeting modern lifestyles, fire codes and WUI regulations. Michael Heacock Architects has been proud to facilitate the bridge between this rich history and the future of Redwood Lodge. We navigated Mill Valley Planning Commission Design Review and secured Building Permit approvals, ensuring that the restoration respects the historical integrity of the Redwood Lodge. In collaboration with the owners, we ensure that the Redwood Lodge remains a beacon of Mill Valley’s heritage, preserved for another century of stories.