McLaren driver Fernando Alonso of Spain, center, celebrates flanked by Mansour Akram Ojjeh prior to the Emirates Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. McLaren veteran Fernando Alonso’s will drives his last ride in F1 before the 37-year-old Spaniard leaves to pursue other racing interests. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)ASSOCIATED PRESS
There could be a new record breaker in Santa Barbara’s future. About an hour and a half from Los Angeles lies these two estates sitting on a combined 3,500 acres of land now on the market asking $110 million. Owned by Mansour Ojjeh, shareholder and part owner of TAG whose largest asset is the McLaren Formula One team, this coastal El Rancho Tajiguas comes with a working cattle farm and two orchards, one that grows avocados and the other persimmons. Very few homes in the area have ever asked this high a price, much less sold for that much.
The most expensive listing on record for Santa Barbara was Rancho San Carlos that had been asking the chart topping price of $125 million, but appears to have come down in price to $85 million (listed by one of the same agents who is representing Neverland, Michael Jackson’s former home). As far as property records show, the priciest sale on record is a 22,000 square foot home that sold last year for $35 million after being listed for $45 million. A few Los Angeles properties are in this price territory, with this $125 million Malibu house on the market and the most expensive listing in the country is this $245 million Bel Air classic that includes land once owned by Ronald and Nancy Reagan.
Main houseMatthew Momberger
El Rancho Tajiguas is one of the few private ranches on the coast and with the development here heavily regulated it took the seller about five years to obtain permission for the two houses he had built at opposite ends of the property. There are over a dozen other buildings on the land that provide housing for staff that manage the profitable farming and orchard enterprises. A herd of about 120 cattle also conveys with the sale. The orchards consist of about 285 acres for avocados and 12 acres for persimmons.
Living RoomMatthew Momberger
The two estates blend adobe style walls with early California design principles to create wide open floor plans that look out on to the Pacific Ocean with views of the Santa Ynez mountains and Channel islands. Beamed ceilings and tile floors on the interior, with reclaimed roof tile from Spain and Portugal on the exterior characterize each of the homes. Here is one of the master bedrooms which opens to a private outdoor patio. Not pictured is an indoor kiva style fireplace in the bedroom’s corner.
Master bedroomMatthew Momberger
One of the kitchens shows the way designers fit modern appliances into the room while maintaining a classic look.
KitchenMatthew Momberger
A wine storage room brings in the look of vintage European cellars.
Wine storageMatthew Momberger
The homes have private movie theaters.
TheaterMatthew Momberger
When you have ranch hands, there’s going to be some laundry.
Extra laundryMatthew Momberger
This property is co-listed by Randy Solakian and Deanna Solakian Williams of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and Marco Naggar and Aaron Kirman of Compass. Here is a dedicated website for the property.
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