‘Scarface’ mansion in Montecito now on the market for $39.9M

A historic property in Montecito, CA, has landed on the market. Some may know the home as “El Fureidis” — a translation from the Arabic of “tropical paradise.” But it’s much better known as the “Scarface” mansion.

Now available for $39.995 million, the stately home served a stand-in for the Florida mansion owned by Tony Montana in the classic film from 1983.

Along with its cinematic pedigree, the storied estate is one of the area’s original mansions. It’s currently the most expensive listing in the tony town of Montecito.

The property last sold in 2015 for $12.3 million. Since then, the owners have made a number of key infrastructure updates and given the place a fresh coat of paint.

Say ‘hello’ to this Montecito mansion

Set on 10 acres, the spread includes a 11,547-square-foot mansion, guesthouse, fountains and swimming pool.

Despite its immense size, the listing describes the main house as a livable space. It features seven bedrooms, six full bathrooms and six halfbathrooms.

Built as an exquisite showpiece, the photogenic spot was designed in 1906 by an architect named Bertram Goodhue. The Roman-style villa was inspired by his yearlong international odyssey to gather ideas for the estate.

“He didn’t build many residential homes,” says the listing agent, Robert Riskin, a partner at Riskin Partners Estate Group. “It’s one of the few, and very special.”

Stand-out estate

Highlights include a barrel ceiling is covered with gold-leaf paint, and a depiction of Alexander the Great conquering Persepolis by Henry Wadsworth Moore.

It’s also worth mentioning the jaw-dropping “conversation room.” That “Byzantinestyle alcove” is topped with a dome modeled on a Roman church.

Outside, the Mediterranean mansion’s facade has also been done up. The bas-relief sculptures decorating the exterior were created by Lee Lawrie, the artist behind Atlas, the iconic art deco object in front of New York City’s Rockefeller Center.

Public rooms open out to a central courtyard and outdoor patios. An eye-catching series of four pools surround a central fountain and brick paths. Great gardens

A good decade before its construction, a botanical bounty had been planted on the grounds. The ballyhooed Persian gardens brought many a visitor to the site, which for a time had been open for tours. In the 1950s, Walt Disney was said to have purchased palms from the place, which can now be found at Disneyland.

The lush grounds with multiple species of palm trees can be spotted in “Scarface.”

Not only did the property make cinematic history, but it is said to have hosted such figures as Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, and John F. Kennedy.

The new owner who acquires this property will have quite a prize.

“To find something on 10 flat, usable acres is extremely rare,” Riskin says. “Only a handful of properties are this large, and that’s reflected in the list price.”

Riskin Partners at Village Properties/Forbes Global Properties holds the listing.

‘Scarface’ Mansion in Montecito Now on the Market for $39.9M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights on www.realtor.com.

Jim Bartsch 631 Para Grande Ln. in Montecito is a seven-bedroom, six-and-half-bathroom mansion that was featured in the movie “Scarface.”