The owner of the lavish Tuscany Oaks Farm, investor Robert Fell, has known real estate agents Joyce Rey and Emily Kellenberger for years. Therefore, when Mr. Fell and his wife, Robin Fell, decided to part with their approximately 18.5-acre property, they leaned on their expertise.
“Robert has been a dear friend of Joyce’s for about 30-35 years. I met Robert and his wife Robin through my local business interactions and we grew a relationship. As Robert became thoughtful about selling Tuscany Oaks Farm, he said, ‘Well, I'd like for the two of you to have lunch and for you to co-list our property and work together.’ So, we did exactly that,” says Kellenberger, Haute Residence’s exclusive partner for Montecito, California.
Rey is also a member of Haute Residence where she represents the Beverly Hills market. Often collaborating with agents outside her team, she extols the benefits that come with co-listing properties. “I think that a team approach is highly beneficial to the seller – particularly, in this case, when someone wants coverage in two markets,” Rey says.
In the case of Tuscany Oaks Farm, priced at $26.5 million, there are many splendid features to draw attention to. Designed by Don Nulty of AIA and completed in 2001, the approximately 8,400 sq. ft. mansion flaunts a stately interior with soaring arches, hand-picked materials from Europe, and five en suite bedrooms.
The outdoors is equally impressive. The Pacific Ocean hugs the equestrian estate in an expanse of breathtaking views that stretch from the manicured grounds to the distant horizon.
Among Tuscany Oaks Farm’s coveted amenities is an approximate 10,000 sq. ft., 18-stall horse barn that holds many possibilities – a vestige of the times when Fell played polo. “It can once again be used for polo ponies,” says Rey, “but it could also be converted into a car or art gallery."
“While the edifices that constitute Tuscany Oaks Farm hold a great measure of prominence, one of the estate’s greatest assets is its land,” Kellenberger says. It is entirely usable – a privilege given the hilly terrain of Santa Barbara.
As if the estate’s grand scale does not impress enough, its location is the perfect conduit for both a relaxed beach lifestyle and big-city engagements. Only an hour-and-15-minute drive away from Los Angeles and just a couple of blocks from the beach, horse-back riding and the many horse trails could be a favorite pastime. The city of Santa Barbara’s downtown is also just a few minutes away by car.
“This property is really unique in the sense of what it offers,” says Kellenberger.
Images courtesy of Emily Kellenberger and Joyce Rey
