Property Video

1086 Channel Drive, Serene Ocean Views And The Islands Beyond

$35,000,000

The enticement of this exclusive Santa Barbara/Montecito property is its glorious site high up above the ocean, with broad views over Butterfly Beach, across the water to the Channel Islands, and along the sweep of the coast as far as Summerland. Its location in a small, elite neighborhood near the Four Seasons Biltmore, the Ty Warner Estate, and the Music Academy of the West, with easy access to the beach, provides opportunities for delightful walks along the shoreline and the cliffs. Looking away from the sea, there are views of the garden below and of neighboring properties set among lush groves of mature trees—eucalyptus, pine, cypress and palms. And one might catch a far-off glimpse of the mountains beyond.

The gated property is entered through a large courtyard containing a two-car garage. The approach to the house is via wide pebbled stairs that appear to float above a reflecting pool lined with blue mosaic tiles, and bordered by plantings. A circular light in the middle of each stair guides one at night to the front door.

Built in 1951, the house has an air of ’50s chic. Perched on a sloping corner lot of almost half an acre, it was ingeniously designed to take full advantage of the views. Set out on two axes, with a third for the garage, the bedrooms along one axis are angled to view the sea, while the axis of the living/dining rooms and kitchen allow for a view of the garden, bordered by hedges for privacy. Rectilinear and circular lines are juxtaposed throughout—in walls, ceilings, and room profiles—giving a sense of surprise on a walk-through. The house seems made of light—flooding in from floor-to-ceiling glass windows wrapped around two sides of the building, and further enhanced with numerous clerestory windows set just under the ceiling line—providing no clear delineation of inside and outside.

The entire site has been thoughtfully arranged for maximum privacy—even the height of the house precludes the need for window shades.

With an open plan for the living room, dining room and kitchen, the rest of the house is designed for privacy in bedrooms and baths. The master bedroom, spacious and airy, has an adjoining combined bathroom/dressing room, and two other bedrooms each have large dressing rooms and share a circular-shaped bathroom located between them.

The expansive and inviting living room, positioned at the corner nearest to the sea, is linked to a sunken dining area with a large black circular chimney hood descending from the ceiling and hanging above a circular raised fire pit—a magnificent focal point. Being entertained in this venue would be a memorable experience for guests.

Functionality is displayed in the many storage cupboards and shelves in the bedrooms, bathrooms, and along the hallway. The white-tiled kitchen is crisp and bright, and decorative with colored, diamond-shaped tiles set into a square over the stove; nearby is a laundry annex.

The color copper is a recurring theme inside and out. Copper squares are set into walls, there is an oval copper ceiling in one of the bathrooms, the base of the fireplace is made of tiny copper mosaic pieces, and horizontal copper bands run along the courtyard wall sheltering the outdoor patio near the kitchen as a distinctive entrance feature.

From the covered patio that runs outside along the edge of the living room, dining room, and kitchen, one can appreciate the varied levels of an established garden, grassed with terraces defined by rock edges, and lined with hedges and flower beds. Tree ferns, palms and oaks are evident, and the row of majestic Canary Island date palms along the cliffs are part of the scene. One can relax to the soothing music of waves breaking on the beach below, breathe the balmy air, and watch hummingbirds and woodpeckers fly through the garden. The quiet peacefulness is inspiring, and the changing colors of the sea and sky endlessly fascinating. This is Santa Barbara/Montecito living at its height.

Taking all things together, this is a property for that special person who will appreciate its last-century style of architecture and the attention to ease of living that this property affords.

Click here to download a pdf brochure of the property (380 KB pdf file)

Maps

Floor Plans

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Contact Suzanne

You can reach Suzanne by conventional means, or you can use the e-mail form below.

Phone: 805.565.8643
Cell Phone: 805.895.2138
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Fax: 805.565.1214

Address:
Sotheby's International Realty
1106 Coast Village Road, Suite C
Santa Barbara, CA 93108

For Showings & Assistance contact:
Michelle Eskandari
Phone: 805.565.8621
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For Advertising, Marketing, Accounting, Business Development & Administration contact:
Heather Hodina
Phone: 805.565.8632
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