Hedge Funder Mason Morfit Lands Historic Montecito Villa

Although he’s probably best-known to the public as the boyfriend of “Fast and Furious” actress Jordana Brewster — the pair recently celebrated their one-year anniversary as a couple — Mason Morfit is a longtime heavy hitter in his own right, as a partner, CEO and chief investment officer of San Francisco-based ValueAct Capital.

A former Microsoft board member as well, the activist investor’s estimated net worth of about $75 million affords him plenty of cash to splash out on niceties, like the extravagant Montecito manse he just purchased for $9.2 million, a full $2 million over the original $7.2 million ask.

Formerly known as “Monte Bello” (meaning beautiful mountain) — and mentioned in historian David Myrick’s book, “Montecito and Santa Barbara: From Farms to Estates” — Morfit’s newly acquired Spanish Colonial Revival-style dwelling was designed by noted architect Winsor Soule in 1917, and holds court on almost an acre of land near Montecito’s charmingly quaint downtown and scenic Butterfly Beach.

Found at the end of a secluded driveway and motorcourt bolstered by a sprawling, century-old oak tree and flanked by a picturesque mountain range, the resort-like structure is adorned with a red-tiled roof, wrought-iron details, and a stucco façade contrasted by an olive green front door and matching shutters. Once inside, 7,000 plus square feet of elegant yet somewhat outdated living space on two levels greets with a light-filled entrance hall punctuated by a wraparound staircase topped by a bank of windows and soaring ceiling adorned with crown molding.

Standing out on the ground level is a formal living room, den and paneled library, all with fireplaces and French doors that open to the outdoors. There’s also an eat-in, country-style kitchen featuring an adjacent butler’s pantry outfitted with copper sinks and dishwasher drawers, along with an office, formal dining room, guest bedroom and bath, and laundry room.

The upstairs level hosts five bedrooms, including a south-facing primary suite with large sun porch overlooking mature redwoods and gardens, plus dual dressing rooms and baths. Just down the hall are two additional bedroom suites, one with a fireplace and sun deck, while a separate wing has two more bedrooms with a bath and an office/den. Topping it all off: a full basement, and lushly landscaped grounds laced with meandering paths lined with mature redwoods and oaks, plus gardens dotted with citrus, fig and apricot trees.

Records reveal Morfit and his ex-wife Anna continue to own a healthy handful of other homes, including another multimillion-dollar estate in Montecito and spreads in Santa Barbara; San Francisco; Park City, Utah; and in L.A.’s Los Feliz neighborhood.

The Grubb Campbell Group of Village Properties served as the listing agent, with Morfit repped by Emily Kellenberger, also of Village Properties.