Inspired by the grand Alhambra Palace in Granada, this incredible $35 million manse merges Old World design and architecture with New World conveniences and technology
Looking like it just rolled out of the Spanish countryside, Hollywood director Kinka Usher employed exquisite imported, reclaimed and antique materials to design this custom-built estate in the likeness of Granada’s famed Alhambra Palace.
Found at 848 Hot Springs Road in Santa Barbara—down a winding, tree-lined drive in celeb-studded Montecito, near Rosewood Miramar Beach, San Ysidro Ranch and Four Seasons Biltmore hotels—the stately gated villa showcases Moorish, Spanish and Italianate architecture, complemented by lushly landscaped grounds highlighted by an olive orchard, waterfalls, panoramic ocean views and much more.
“Over the years, I’ve seen many incredible homes around the world, and this is among my absolute favorites,” says Billy Rose of The Agency, who is listing the property for $35 million. “With its thoughtful and unique architecture, masterful craftsmanship, extraordinary views and stellar location, you can tell that every detail—both decorative and functional—was thoughtfully considered and carefully curated. I’ve never seen anything like it, and probably never will again.”
High praise, indeed, and for exceedingly good reason. Built by SoCal’s MG Partners in 2014, this one-of-a-kind jewel is almost 12,000 square feet of spacious and light-filled living space marked by a grand rotunda entry boasting a hand-carved marble fountain; living room with soaring glass walls and windows, custom-cast steel Corinthian columns and attractive coffered ceiling with embedded reliefs.
Included is dual master suites (one with a hammam-inspired bath) and a restaurant-quality kitchen with a rotisserie and Bonnet range. A surround-sound movie theater, meanwhile, is equipped with a DLP cinema projector, and adding a touch of modern-day convenience is Crestron’s whole-property automation, geothermal cooling, and radiant heating.
Outdoors, the 2.5-acre lot serves as the ideal spot for entertaining with Bocce and Pickleball courts, a fire-pit, 90,000-gallon swimming pond, and heated pool; a duo of lawns for sunbathing and small gatherings, and a grand lawn for large parties and events. Outdoor dining, meanwhile, is enjoyed in a 16-seat covered pergola featuring a kitchen with pizza oven and barbecue, as well as a Japanese pavilion that floats above the koi pond.
Billy Rose
of The Agency | 424.230.3702
List Price: $35 million
Photography Courtesy of Billy Rose of The Agency
