The exclusive Rockridge estate at 4937 E. Road in Phoenix is set to go to auction with a bidding starting at $2 million.
In January 2002, Jeffrey Lamb purchased a residence at the base of Camelback Mountain for $870,000. He then razed it to construct his dream home on the 1.1-acre parcel. Now, over 20 years later, he is listing his home for the first time.
The 13,286-square-foot home at 4937 E. Rockridge Road in Phoenix, known as the Rockridge Estate, is set to be auctioned on June 24. With a listing price of $7.9 million, the auction will start with a minimum bid of $2 million.
The home was designed by award-winning architect Willard Wetterland, featuring an Old World European style that includes two turrets, sweeping arches and grand columns.
Construction was completed in 2008 and Lamb moved in two years afterward.
He made various enhancements to the property over the past several years, but the backyard remains unfinished. The site plan includes an approved swimming pool that Lamb did not construct.
“It’s a nice blank canvas for whoever takes on the project,” he mentioned, adding that new architectural renderings are being created to showcase a double infinity waterfall pool.
Instead, he concentrated on the interior, which features soaring ceilings, an intricate wrought- iron staircase, stately pillars, a stone fireplace, a bar area, hydraulic elevator and a 12-car garage with RV space, workshop and eight air conditioning units.
Rockridge Estate Panoramic Rooftop views of Camelback Mountain and downtown Phoenix
The primary suite has private access to a rooftop balcony and hot tub providing views of Camelback Mountain and downtown Phoenix.
He equipped the entire estate with wiring for various options.
“If you can imagine, the infrastructure is already in place,” Lamb stated. “The estate is equipped for a home weather station and surround sound in all the bedrooms — pretty much anything you can imagine.
He also incorporated secret safe rooms throughout the property, including a 210-square-foot vault in the basement.
Lamb also wired the basement for a ninth air conditioning unit in case the new owner wishes to convert that space into a wine cellar.
“I’ve installed wires and conduits for just about anything you can think of, so no one has to tear up walls or run wire through the attic,” Lamb said.
The Rockridge estate at 4937 E. Rockridge Road in Phoenix listed for $7.9 million, is set to be auctioned on June 24 with a starting bid of $2 million.
Lamb is now prepared to embark on another project, having purchased 29 acres along Oak Creek near Sedona, which he intends to make his forever home.
“I‘m a country boy at heart,” he remarked. “As I approach 68 this September. I have come to the realization that it’s time to make a move. If I wait another five years it will be twice as brutal on me. I need to complete this transition and make my big change now.”
When he constructed the Rockridge Estate property, he anticipated staying for 10 years before moving on.
“It’s been 14 years,” he said. “I wish I could have completed it, but I’ve run out of time. Someone purchasing this Rockridge Estate property can invest a bit more and have a truly valuable home.”
Lamb enlisted David S. Elton of Arizona Best Real Estate to handle the home listing.
In turn, Elton engaged Interluxe Auctions, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, to sell the Rockridge Estate property through an online auction. The auction, starting with a bid of $2 million, will go live on June 24.
“Using an auction is a strategy to bring all the qualified buyers worldwide to a single marketplace and allow the market to determine the true value of this house, ” Elton explained. “We’re teaming up with Interluxe, who has a database of 30,000 global contracts that we’ll market to all of them.”
He noted that the $2 million opening bid will also help generate anticipation for the auction.
“The land alone is worth much more than that,” Elton said. “The goal is to generate interest and attract attention.”
Elton is co-listing the Rockridge Estate property with his brother Rick Elton, both are part of The Elton Brothers Team at Arizona Best Real Estate. They hosted “The Real Estate Show” on KFNX from 2006 to 2020.
Scott Kirk, president and CEO of Interluxe Auctions, stated that valuing this type of unique property is challenging.
“It is situated in one of the most premier locations in all of Phoenix, at the base of Camelback Mountain with views that extend for miles,” Kirk stated. “The property plenty options for customization, letting someone make it their own.”
