A sparkling new California farmhouse in the celebrity-strewn enclave of Ojai has hit the market for the very first time, becoming the most expensive property to be listed in the tony community.
The property, which was completed in 2024 and is known as the Shippee Estate, sits at the foothills of mountains northwest of Los Angeles and east of Santa Barbara. It is on the market for the sky-high price of $17.49 million.
The lavish estate, which sits on 2.2 flat acres, was completed over a four-year time by a prominent custom builder with the goal of creating a luxe family retreat, complete with an array of amenities design to delight residents of all ages and tastes.
Named for the street on which it sits, Shippee Lane, the estate features four buildings, each of which spans just one story to make traversing the property as convenient as possible.
Those structures contain six bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, most of which are found in a lavish architectural farmhouse, which is not to be mistaken for your basic “modern farmhouse” style, as seen on one home renovation show after another.
Many elements elevate the architectural beauty from other, more traditional farmhouses, including its unique exterior, which is clad in warm cedar siding, and floor-to-ceiling walls of glass at almost every turn, providing views of olive trees, native landscaping, and the Santa Ynez Mountains.
From the outside, the expanses of wood and glass help the dwelling to better blend with its scenic, natural surroundings.
Premium materials and finishes are showcased throughout, including wide-plank white oak flooring, sandblasted limestone, imported Calacatta marble, and a chef’s kitchen equipped with professional-grade Miele, Wolf, and Sub-Zero appliances.
Lighting and fixtures from Apparatus and Rejuvenation add subtle sculptural detail and illumination.
The verdant property was purchased by the current owner in 2018 for $1,400,000. He completely demolished the home that was located on the property at the time to make room for the new estate that he would build with the finest materials available.
“This property is truly one of the highest-quality homes I have ever experienced—and I would argue, one of the finest in all of Ojai,” said listing agent Neyshia Go of Sotheby’s International Real Estate Southern California.
“The level of craftsmanship and attention to detail is exceptional, from mudded outlets with no visible faceplates and concealed A/C venting, to thoughtful features like a built-in ironing board in the laundry room.
“Every selection—from fixtures and appliances to materials and finishes—is top of the line, making this one of the most unique and special homes I have ever seen.”
Each room is thoughtfully designed for relaxing yet impressive appeal, starting with the 12 to 20 foot ceilings in the massive great room, which is anchored by a board-form concrete fireplace.
That great room features a living room area, formal dining area, and the aforementioned marble kitchen with a pantry and breakfast nook. All spaces are extremely generous, and have floor-to-ceiling windows and doors of glass.
The bedrooms are equally grand—there are two primary suites, adding to the home’s multigenerational appeal. One features a boutique-inspired walk-in closet, a spa-like bathroom, and an additional private outdoor shower and garden.
The secondary primary suite features soaring ceilings, a cozy fireplace, and a luxurious bathroom with soaking tub and rainfall shower.
The other bedrooms are all en suite, with custom millwork and pristine views, so no one need ever go without seeing the glories of nature.
In addition to the main house, the property features a self-contained guesthouse, an entertainment pavilion with an indoor-outdoor kitchen and lavish home theater, a pool cabana, plenty of studio space, and garages designed to accommodate lift systems.
“Perfect for generational living or as the quintessential weekend retreat, this is a true compound, featuring a variety of auxiliary structures such as a pool cabana, entertainment pavilion with indoor-outdoor kitchen, guesthouse, expansive studio space, and additional detached garages,” the listing notes.
“Primed for any car enthusiast, the home features finished garage spaces with the height to support lift systems for additional vehicles.”
Outdoors, there’s flat, usable acreage permitted for livestock and equestrian facilities. Ojai is well known for its very active horse community. The entirety of its acreage is enhanced with drought-conscious landscaping that complements Ojai’s natural beauty.
And while it feels like it’s totally secluded, the estate is just minutes from the quaint downtown, with its famous Ojai Valley Inn, and the numerous dining and arts venues for which it is widely known.
No wonder the area has been favored by celebrity residents including Ed Begley Jr., Jon Bernthal, Rashida Jones, Tim Burton, Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, Donald Glover, Reese Witherspoon, John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, Diane Ladd, Bill Paxton, and Chloé Zhao.
After putting so much care and expense into the property to make it just right, you can’t help but wonder why the family is wiling to put it on the market.
“The homeowners built the home during the pandemic and no longer come out to Ojai as often as they would like,” explained Go. “They feel it is time for a new steward to come and enjoy the property, and appreciate the home they have meticulously built.”
