Montecito Ideal
A fresh Golden Quadrangle estate features five newly fashioned structures across three sculpted acres—adding up an elegantly harmonious whole.
Written by Constance Dunn | Photographs by Eric Foote (aerial) and Jason Rick
“When the team first saw the property, our jaws just hit the ground,” says Riskin Partners agent Jasmine Tennis about 595 Picacho Lane. It’s a strong impression, especially when one considers the local team transacts many of the most gilded properties in the area.
The total effect, she explains, is not just due to the land—three manicured acres of green, leafy grounds. Nor the plum location—in the heart of Montecito’s Golden Quadrangle, an estate-laden part of town that’s luxurious yet leisured. “You’re walking distance to the Upper Village Shopping area,” Tennis points out. “It’s the perfect distance if you’ve got little ones at the elementary school; or if you want to get coffee at Pierre Lafond or grab dinner at Via Vai.”
It’s these—the golden-ticket address and a bounty of nature—in concert with the five, newly renovated structures that make up this sophisticated estate, brought to life by Harvester Group. At its heart is a sun-splashed main residence (5 bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms) spanning around 8,000 square feet of living space—a figure that swells to approximately 9,653 square feet when other structures are factored in. The main home’s aesthetic is streamlined and refined, with exquisite details thoughtfully peppered across the floorplan. Main living spaces—including a sprawling primary suite with show-stopping bathroom—are on the main floor, arranged around a generous pool terrace with designated spaces for dining and lounging.
Not far from the main residence is a bright one-bedroom guest house, a full-fledged ADU with a separate driveway. This is a peaceful hub, around 900 square feet, with charmed details including character-rich wood floors, vaulted ceilings and white-washed beams. There’s a hearty stone fireplace to warm you on cool nights, and a covered porch where you can ponder the lush grounds, including neat rows of box hedges and old-growth trees.
“It lives like a compound,” Tennis says of the estate’s layout. “It’s cohesive, yet each structure has its own autonomy.” One can set up a child’s playroom or a retreat for painting, for instance, in the small wood studio filled with strong north-facing light. Or work peacefully in yet another haven, this one an inviting guest studio with full bath that’s poised under a secluded grove of live oaks.
Amble across the grounds to the glass-front wellness pavilion—a feel-good getaway that overlooks the pickleball court. Within it there’s a spa bathroom and a sauna, plus serene spaces for meditation and movement that are enhanced when generous glass doors slide open to let in fragrant air and views of the green landscape.
“To combine a fabulous A-plus location with over three acres of flat, usable land, and a house that’s ready to move into is really unusual,” describes Tennis. Stone steps map out multiple garden districts, and there are tidy lawns for strolling and games, including a bocce ball court. After dark, gather around the grand firepit, shrouded by stone walls built nearly a century ago, or wander among live oak and olive trees dating back to the property’s origins. The effect is an immersive one that plays up the surreal light schemes and gentle climate of Montecito—where days at this estate begin with softly glowing light rising over the vast lawns, and end with the vivid hues of sunset settling over its rich store of nature’s treasures.
“To combine a fabulous A-plus location with over three acres of flat, usable land, and a house that’s ready to move into is really unusual.”
Presented by Riskin Partners Estate Group | Village Properties
Offered at $36,500,000
