Publishing heiress Virginia Hearst Randt has made swift work of dispatching her trophy Montecito estate. First offered last November at nearly $9 million, the house sold in mid-January in a cash deal — albeit for a heavily discounted $7.5 million. Still, that sale price rings in at a hefty $2 million more than what Hearst paid for the property nearly a decade ago, way back in March 2012. Records indicate the buyer is veteran Broadway producer and philanthropist Thomas “Tom” Perakos, who is known for being the primary financial backer of “The Band’s Visit,” winner of 2018’s Tony Award for Best Musical.
As for Randt, she’s the second of Randy Hearst’s five daughters — five years older than her sister Patty Hearst, who was (in)famously kidnapped in 1974 — and a granddaughter of media baron William Randolph Hearst. Now 72, Randt mostly keeps a low public profile, though she has served on the board of directors at Hearst Corporation, the $11-billion-a-year media juggernaut that has long financially supported Hearst family members.
Randt’s Montecito castle is a bit less grandiose than her grandfather’s San Simeon landmark. Spanning just under 3,500 square feet of living space, the contemporary home features two bedrooms, both of them equipped with ensuite full bathrooms, and a separate powder room. There’s also a detached guest cottage with another bedroom and bathroom.
Designed by acclaimed Santa Barbara architects Warner & Gray, the 2001-built structure pays clear visual homage to contemporary mansions of the late ’90s, and likewise boasts more than a passing resemblance to some of Ricardo Legorreta’s more widely published homes, though it’s distinctly more whitewashed and neutral rather than playfully colorful throughout. But the real value of this property is in the land itself, which spans 4.3 hilltop acres in prime Montecito with spectacular views of downtown areas, the Santa Ynez hills and always-sparkling Pacific Ocean on the horizon.
Suzanne Perkins and Ron Brand of Compass held the listing; Randy Solakian Estates Group at Coldwell Banker repped the buyer.
-
Image Credit: Zillow Located up a steep private driveway at the end of a private road, the house is admirably secluded. Mature oak and olive trees provide shade, and there are manicured gardens surrounding the main house.
-
Image Credit: Zillow -
Image Credit: Zillow Out back, a grassy lawn surrounds an infinity-edged swimming pool.
-
Image Credit: Zillow Bunches of lavender and other native plantings fill the yard, adding to the resort-quality atmosphere.
-
Image Credit: Zillow -
Image Credit: Zillow The house itself appears more spacious than its 3,400 square feet would suggest; there’s a step-down combo living/dining room with floor-to-ceiling walls of glass and majestic views of the sea.
-
Image Credit: Zillow Broad covered terraces surround the hillside home, and terraced gardens gently meander down the mountain.
-
Image Credit: Zillow Back inside, the recently redone kitchen is starkly austere, complete with milky white countertops and a trove of luxe appliances.
-
Image Credit: Zillow Other household amenities include a library with built-in bookshelves, a finished basement and wine cellar.
-
Image Credit: Zillow The primary bedroom suite has views of both the mountains and ocean.
-
Image Credit: Zillow Set into walls of glass is a built-in soaking tub in the primary bathroom.
-
Image Credit: Zillow Notched into the hillside is a manmade pond stocked with colorful koi fish. Nets help keep eagle-eyed predators at bay.
-
Image Credit: Zillow -
Image Credit: Zillow