It’s an expensive addiction! Even though she already owns at least four other Montecito homes, including the $21 million Villa Tragara and a $14.3 million ranch that dates to the 1800s, Ellen DeGeneres has done it once again, snapping up two more lavish properties in the same manner that a mere financial mortal might buy two t-shirts from a local mall.
The two purchases immediately follow the sale of DeGeneres’ spectacular midcentury modern home in Beverly Hills, which went for about $8.8 million a few weeks back.
And the latest acquisitions were consummated via two separate transactions from two different (non-famous) sellers, though both deals closed within days of each other. Both houses are also located in the same tiny neighborhood pocket of Montecito, with one home sitting directly around the corner from the other, though they do not share a property line.
Photos and details of both homes are relatively scant, as neither was officially listed on the market; records reveal DeGeneres forked out a total of $13.5 million to add both to her collection, which now includes a half-dozen properties in Montecito alone. In addition to Villa Tragara and that ranch, there’s also a charming midcentury bungalow near Montecito’s Butterfly Beach, and another historic cottage tucked behind giant hedges.
No word yet on what DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi plan to do with their two latest Montecito purchases, but an educated guess would say that their design team will quickly gussy up both homes in their signature minimalist, casually luxe decor style before flipping them back up for sale at premium prices.
Built in 1915, the older house was described in the listing as a “classic cottage” that last sold in 2020 for just $2.2 million. The U-shaped, single-story residence has two bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms in 1,910 square feet, all of it ensconced within dark gray walls neatly contrasted with white trim and a bright red front door. DeGeneres paid $5.4 million for this place, per records.
-
Image Credit: via Zillow The spacious living room offers a fireplace and is flooded with natural light thanks to its many windows. Elsewhere lies a guest bedroom cottage with its own bath, per the listing, a so-called “office cottage,” and a backyard patio accented by a fountain and lush plantings.
-
Image Credit: via Zillow As for the other just-acquired house, it’s a classic 1920s Spanish Revival gem, the sort of residence that litters the greater Santa Barbara area.
-
Image Credit: via Zillow Last sold in 2013 for $2.6 million and renovated since, DeGeneres splashed out an eye-popping $8.1 million for this place, which has three bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms in 3,118 square feet.
-
Image Credit: via Zillow Inside, the gourmet kitchen includes a newer island and high-end Wolf and SubZero appliances.
-
Image Credit: via Zillow Per dated listings, the home’s recent renovation included the installation of all-new electrical and plumbing systems, plus a new roof. There’s also a basement “ideal for a wine cellar.”
-
Image Credit: via Zillow -
Image Credit: via Zillow -
Image Credit: via Zillow -
Image Credit: via Zillow -
Image Credit: via Zillow The quarter-acre property does not have a pool, though there is a substantial back lawn and a brick terrace with a full outdoor kitchen/barbecue center for entertaining.
-
Image Credit: via Zillow