Del Dios Ranch a contemporary California estate
Estate in Rancho Santa Fe a chic living showplace, set on 25 stunning hectares
If the term “ranch house” brings to mind images of rough-hewn timbers, studded leather sofas and antlers on the wall, then Del Dios Ranch is a horse of an entirely different colour.
Soaring spaces surrounded by glass, concrete and magnificent redwood are about as far from rustic as you can get. Yes, there’s the requisite horse barn, paddocks and pastures on the 25-hectare California estate. But the main residence is an unexpectedly contemporary showplace for living, partying and kicking back in uber luxury.
While the house was designed and constructed in the early 1970s, “it feels like it was built just yesterday, with timeless architecture and materials used throughout,” observes realtor Linda Sansone of Willis Allen Real Estate, a member of Luxury Portfolio International.
The two-storey home’s magnitude and style are among its most arresting features, adds Sansone, who’s listing the property with co-agent Linda Daniels. Christie’s International Real Estate is providing global marketing services.
Located in the affluent community of Rancho Santa Fe, 30 minutes from San Diego, the ranch recently won the great estates category of HGTV’s 2017 Ultimate House Hunt, an online global contest that attracted 1.1 million votes in eight categories. (At that point, the property was listed at 84 hectares for $85 million (U.S.), but land size and price have since been reduced.)
Del Dios Ranch was the longtime home of late businessman Roland Sahm and his wife, Ramona, also deceased.
The couple, well-known philanthropists in their community, owned thoroughbred racehorses, including the prizewinning champion Super Diamond, in the 1980s.
They hosted many charity events and gatherings at their home over the years, according to Sansone, who notes “it was filled with lots of loving memories.”
One entire wing of about 4,000 square feet houses an enclosed pool pavilion with spa and full bar — a light-filled, spectacular space that’s ideal for entertaining, she says.
Like the rest of the house, it’s filled with massive beams and walls of redwood from Northern California that was milled on the property.
Architect Fred Briggs contrasted the rich, warm tones of the wood with exposed, grey concrete columns and walls as well as gleaming marble floors. Laid without grout, the floors took four artisans more than six months to install.
The entire residence, completed in 1972, was built over three years, utilizing stones original to the property and poured-in-place concrete foundations and framework. Its custommade features include white bronze fixtures and redwood cabinetry.
Briggs’ mixing and matching of materials is exemplified by the arboretum-style living room, where the vaulted, wood-lined ceiling is punctuated by a glass skylight mirrored in the marble below.
A floor-to-ceiling stone and copper fireplace with massive mantel looks out onto seating areas created around modern furnishings in muted colours — part of an interior design plan crafted by celebrated designer Arthur Elrod.
Privacy, comfort and luxury define the spacious master suite which, along with an office, has the entire second floor to itself. It’s accessed by a grand circular staircase that wraps around concrete pillars. A separate first-floor wing houses three ensuite bedrooms.
The property includes an orange grove, lake, tennis court and equestrian facilities, all visible in 360-degree views from the hilltop.