A Really Great Great Room on Eucalyptus Hill

Noteworthy new listings….

1893 Eucalyptus Hill Road ($16.5 million) is big (6,314 square feet) and relatively new (2020), with crazy views and an interesting architectural style—a hybrid of old Europe and contemporary America, punctuated with occasional pops of bold interior design (e.g., the Op Art elevator). The location near downtown Santa Barbara trades convenience for prestige; just outside the Montecito border, the property is not in one of the fancier parts of Eucalyptus Hill. There are worse things than living in a far more fabulous house than your neighbors….

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Location also cuts both ways at 2311 Finney Street ($7.3 million): the private path down to the Summerland Beach is enviable, but the property abuts the train tracks and Lookout Park. The 1986 house probably makes most sense as a weekend retreat, as it has just two bedrooms, no family room, tight outdoor space, and laundry in the garage.

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The 1999 Spanish Colonial at 849 Ashley Road ($13.4 million) in Montecito has an appealing sprawl in the four-bedroom main house, and there’s a guest house on the far side of the pool. The listing says the property was “reimagined,” but I would wager that didn’t include the floors—which look workable, and larger rugs would really help. (That said, I’d change out the floor in the primary bath, and it’s concerning that the other baths aren’t shown at all.) P.S. Bonus points for the wooden soaking tub, but a deduction for the shared driveway. P.P.S. Someone has a thing for a funky chair.

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1442 San Miguel Avenue ($3.975 million) makes a compelling case for $4 million on the Mesa: it was built in 2010 and still feels fresh, and while the two guest rooms share a hallway bath, the studio up behind the house would be preferable accommodation, anyway (as long as you’re cool with an outdoor shower). Plus: thoughtful landscaping and glimpses of the ocean.

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28 Rosemary Lane ($2.25 million) has already gone into escrow, but I’m including it here so we have photos for when it comes back as a spec reno. Just a guess, of course. Would that it were possible to push the neighboring houses farther away….

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The 1926 cottage at 805 Soledad Avenue ($1.745 million), on a private lane near the east end of De La Guerra Street, has supercute architectural moments—in particular the roofline, the fireplace, and the arched doorway. It has been slathered in white paint to crisp effect, but the two bedrooms share a hallway bath and the kitchen is a bit of a Monet, with vintage cabinetry and shallow counters. As for the backyard, I suppose the justification for the xeriscaping is that the water budget needs to go toward getting that hedge to grow.

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And a few others worth checking out:
••• 145 Butterfly Lane ($3.8 million): 1920 three-bedroom that went into escrow immediately; only one photo, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
••• 3621 San Pedro Lane ($1.495 million): Sweet little 1951 house in south San Roque (or San Roque Gardens, depending on whom you ask).
••• 840 Woodland Drive ($3.195 million): Single-level Eucalyptus Hill four-bedroom in need of updating.
••• 3617 Tierra Bella ($2.975 million): 1977 west San Roque four-bedroom in need of updating.
••• 316 Argonne Circle ($1.55 million): “A major fixer so cash only” on the circle at the center of the San Roque spiderweb; the open house blurb said to wear a mask, presumably for your own protection.
••• 2848 Foothill Road ($875,000): Take it away, Bette and Liz!
••• 2671 Painted Cave Road ($4.9 million): 16 acres up in the hills with a McMansion-y house, majestic views, and the best pool we’ve seen in a while (below).

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