Thursday, August 04, 2022

Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures Chief Buys Historic Montecito Estate

Though the Carpinteria-adjacent ranch he bought from Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi less than three years ago only just popped up for sale with a $13.5 million ask, veteran Hollywood producer Brian Robbins has already gone out and picked up a new residence, settling on a historic home in the heart of Montecito’s Golden Quadrangle.

Village Properties; Alex J. Berliner/ABImages via AP Images

Records show the Paramount and Nickelodeon CEO paid $17 million for the Spanish Colonial Revival-style digs, well under its $20 million ask. Built way back in the late 1920s by noted architects George Washington Smith and Lutah Riggs, and formerly known as “Las Armas,” the residence was previously owned for almost six decades by the late actress/model Suzy Parker and her husband, actor Bradford Dillman.

The premises have since undergone an extensive three-year restoration by architect Marc Appleton and designer Martin LogĂ©. There are many original details — vintage light fixtures, tile floors, wood-beam ceilings and 16th-century carved wood doors — paired with modern amenities like an elevator and a Savant smart-home system. Numerous French doors along the lower level flow out to an expansive brick terrace ideal for al fresco dining and entertaining.

Tucked away on a 1.8-acre parcel of land, and fronted by a spacious motorcourt flanked by an inverted-arch wall bolstered by decorative antique statues, the white stucco and terracotta-roof structure is adorned with black shutters. Once inside, over 8,700 square feet of living space on two levels is introduced via a light-filled foyer punctuated by a soaring groin-vaulted ceiling and curving wrought-iron staircase.

Standing out on the main level is a living/media room displaying a fireplace, built-in bookshelves and a hidden doorway that opens to reveal a 4,500-bottle wine cellar. Other highlights include an updated kitchen outfitted with an eat-in island, top-tier stainless appliances, a butler’s pantry and adjoining breakfast nook, along with a fireside dining room and wet bar-equipped lounge area.

The upper level hosts six bedrooms, including a sizable master retreat sporting a custom walk-in closet and separate sitting room with fireplace, plus a luxe bath boasting dual vanities, a soaking tub and glass-encased shower. A guest bedroom with bath also can be found next to an attached two-car garage.

Heading outdoors, you’ll find lushly manicured grounds laced with stone fruit trees, a 15-variety citrus grove and raised garden beds, and hosting an 88-foot pool and spa with a Baja shelf and sprawling sundeck — all overlooking picturesque views of the Santa Ynez Mountains.

In addition to his Santa Barbara properties, Robbins maintains a $16 million mansion in Beverly Hills’ Trousdale Estates neighborhood. The Montecito listing was held by the Riskin Partners Estate Group of Village Properties; Branden and Rayni Williams of the Williams & Williams Estates Group at The Beverly Hills Estates repped the buyer.

Photos of the property can be viewed on Dirt.

Property Details:

Buyer: Brian & Tracy Robbins
Location: Montecito, Calif.
Price: $17 million
Year: 1928
Architect: George Washington Smith, Marc Appleton
Specs: 8,712 square feet, 7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms
Lot Size: 1.84 acres

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