Is This $70 Million Montecito Estate the Ultimate Trophy Property?
When hotel magnate Patrick Nesbitt, founder of Windsor Capital Group, first built this majestic property in Montecito, California, he sought out to build a one-of-a-kind trophy compound that married his passions: polo and 18th-century European architecture.
Called Bella Vista Estate and now listed for $70 million, the Montecito Ranch Lane estate it is one of the largest and grandest homes in the tony Santa Barbara County community, which says a lot considering the area’s impressive architecture and high-profile neighbors who include Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
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Bella Vista Estate, inspired by Neoclassical architecture and 18th-century villas in France and Italy, has eye-watering views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains, whether you’re lounging in the lavishly appointed living room or swinging a golf club on the private driving range. Like the family’s own private boutique hotel, the home spans 27,000 square feet with 12 bedrooms and a mind-boggling 25 bathrooms.
“The owner is a true visionary, and he actually sketched designs of interiors himself because he knew exactly the type of home he wanted,” says Aaron Kirman of Christie’s International Real Estatee, who is co-listing the property with Timothy Di Prizito. “There was no expense spared. He installed the finest materials, finishes, stone, woodworking, and moldings. Many of the fixtures and lighting are from the 18th and 19th centuries, some he bought himself throughout Europe.”
The home sits behind private gates and has a large motor court with immaculate landscaping and a central fountain. Inside, the rooms could easily be found in a European château. For those who like a lot of gilt-trimmed furniture, the home is being sold turnkey, complete with the furnishings, the dazzling chandeliers, and even some of the artwork.
You’re greeted with opulence in an imposing formal marble entry, which has soaring 34-foot-high ceilings framing the explosive views. Other rooms include the kitchen, formal living and dining rooms, a family room, a mahogany-paneled office, and a 5,000-bottle wine cellar with a tasting room. The bedrooms can all be found within separate wings of the home, so owners, family, and guests can retreat to their private quarters.
You might never have to leave this dazzling property, considering there’s a 20-seat movie theater, a gym and spa, a beauty salon, a sports bar, a private nightclub with a disco ball, and a ballroom that will accommodate up to 200 guests. Outside, there’s an ocean-view Olympic-length infinity pool and a huge poolside loggia overlooking the polo field. There’s also a 330-yard driving range and a putting green with swing analytics equipment. Even with all those perks, perhaps what makes this home stand out above so many others is the 10-acre, regulation-size polo field. There’s also a polo clubhouse and extensive stabling.
“It really has everything under the sun, but the polo field is pretty amazing,” Kirman says. “They loved polo and horses, and as time went on, they opened the private field up to visitors and have hosted some of the polo world’s most elite players. The home has become a showcase for entertaining, charity events, and light polo playing.”
But that’s not all, folks. There’s an Hermès-themed helipad; a 5,000-square-foot hangar with two studio lofts and staff kitchens; a pool house; two guest houses; a tennis court; a 32-car auto gallery; vegetable gardens; and not one but two Monarch Butterfly sanctuaries.
While the home might seem to have it all, there’s still room to build additional amenities and guest homes to create a multi-generational compound.
“You literally only see homes like this in the movies,” Di Prizito tells Robb Report.
Click here for more photos of Bella Vista Estate.
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