Lives of Style
September 26, 2007, SF Examiner
Elisabeth Laurence

Joel Goodrich

Joel Goodrich's smile reaches out and touches even the most recalcitrant. He's a giver, and it shows. This tall, blond man who supports scores of causes in San Francisco is probably on eof the 50 most photographed people in The City.

A former competitive figure skater and Ice Follies performer who tried out for the Olympics, Joel transferred his focus, precision and high-wattage energy to business -- first as an investment advisor, and then for the past 16 years, in residential real estate, rising to become one of the most prominent names in the industry.

Born in Houston, Texas, Joel inherited his athletic prowess from his father, who studied at Rice University, Notre Dame and the Sorbonne, and played exhibition rounds at Wimbledon. From his French-born mother, Joel got his style.

Moving to Montclair in the East Bay as a child, Joel began competitive figure skating at around 8. Soon afterward, his father, an executive at Bechtel, transferred the family to Paris.

Joel continued competitive figure skating training with the French national team. He says, "We spent two months in Chamonix Mont Blanc and two months in Megeve. It was a great experience.

During his teens, the family returned to the Bay area. He attended University of California, Berkeley, majoring in biomedical science, and tried out for Olympic competition.

Sidelined by peritonitis (his appendix had burst), Joel missed skating.

"You know, those double and triple jumps come back to you fast when you're 20." he then tried out and was accepted in the Ice Follies, calling the experience "wonderful." Afterward he coached competitive skaters for five yesrs.

What happened next was amazing, even to him. "If you had told me 16 years ago I'd be living the life I have now, I wouldn't have believed it," Joel admits. "When I got involved in real estate, it was the early '90s. Real estate was iffy."

Joel secured his license in 1990, targeted the residential sector in 1992 and worked his way to the top of the luxury market.

"...I was one of the first people to start staging their own properties. I staged a simple co-op so beautifully -- that I had calls right from the beginning. I worked hard, non-stop marketing, networking." He still works every day.

His reputation was sealed with some key properties, including the Hamilton ("One of the most beautiful penthouses ever -- in a 1920's art deco building"), the 2000 Washington duplex; and the Tobin Clarke Estate, on the market for $45 million in 2002.

He currently has a $65 million neoclassical home "on the Gold Coast," the last two blocks of Broadway, and several listings from $9 million upward.

Joel calls himself "a total City person." His penthouse on Nob Hill -- which he's owned since 1999 -- boasts Bay and City views. The rooms are decorated with classical pieces: a grand French chandelier and antiques amid modern touches and orchids. A piano, for guests' entertainment, stands off to the side, ready to be played, ready for someone to perform.

Keys to Joel Goodrich's Style

Style Philosophy: I think that people have different facets. Architecturally, I love classical French and Italian elements. Growing up in Paris -- my roots are there -- and my home is in the French style. But I also like juxtaposing classical elements in a modern setting or putting contemporary pieces in a classical background. If you stay in one period you express the period and not yourself. For attire, I have eclectic taste -- for business, conservative suits; handmade Thomas James shirts with monograms, French cuffs, Hermes ties. For liesure time I enjoy mixing it up: Versace, Cavalli and Pucci.

Style Secret: Let me stick to just one. It comes from within. You want to feel comfortable expressing yourself. Learn who you are, and through that, learn how to express yourself.

Got Style From: My mother was French. Very chic. I've also learned a lot from my friends. A lot of my friends have great style.

Most Unusual Thing About You: I think the journey of how I arrived at where I am today. It's unbelievable, even to me. From skating to business and how I ended up as one of the more recognizable real estate people in San Francisco.

Style vs. Comfort: Style. No question.

Color vs. Texture: Im very much into color, design and pattern. Color influences how you feel.

Favorite Color: Gosh, my favorite color. My friends would say gold. But I would say I like really vibrant, hot colors.

How does color make you feel? Upbeat -- puts me in a mood where I'm ready to enjoy life.

Favorite Designers: Versace, Cavalli and Pucci, John Galliano.

Would Not Do: I wouldn't do something that would make it hard for me to sleep at night. I try and do the right thing.

What would people not know about you? I'm a huge water and beach person. I work a lot and if I have a few hours a week I like to go off and read at the beach. It totally refreshes my ind and body. We live in one of the most amazing cities in the world -- Baker Beach is 15 minutes away.

Secret Cache of: Orchids -- 200 orchids, and I board them. I have an"orchid nanny" who comes in once a week to water them. When they stop blooming they go to the farm, then they come back.

Style Advice: I think it's important to have a style that works with who you are as opposed to a style that you like the idea of. Get a style that really reflects you, your personality and your taste rather than reflection of a trend. Don't necessarily follow the old-fashioned rules. I think if you mix it up it makes it more interesting.

Life Advice: The most important thing is to appreciate what you have and realize without that you won't have peace of mind or live in the moment, which is the key to a successful life. Enjoy the moment. So many people don't have that ability to appreciat elife. Without that they'll never be happy. Happiness doesn't come to you from outside or another person -- it comes from the inside and you have to cultivate and develop it.