Although it was never officially listed, former San Diego Padres owner John Moores’s opulent Pebble Beach estate has just been sold for an impressive $45 million, setting a new record for the highest residential transaction in Monterey County. This sale surpasses the previous record of $40 million set by the transfer of a historic Carmel Highlands property to Brad Pitt in 2022. According to The Real Deal, the property, known as Masterpiece on 18 and most recently listed at $55 million, was purchased by an unidentified entity connected to the LLC WhiteApple DE.
Tim Allen from Coldwell Banker Realty, who represented Moores in the transaction, expressed his satisfaction: “We are thrilled to have orchestrated a successful discreet marketing and sale of our client’s estate, which is one of only five prestigious homes located on the 18th hole of this iconic golf course. The unparalleled amenities and breathtaking ocean views offered by this property have led to a record-breaking sale for Monterey County.”
Records indicate that Moores and his former wife Rebecca bought the property for $7 million in 1994. That same year, Moores, a wealthy Texas-born software company founder and venture capitalist, purchased a majority stake in the Padres Major League Baseball team for approximately $80 million (he sold the team for $800 million in 2012 and was inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame last year). The couple demolished an existing home and commissioned Texas-based Robert E. Griffin Architects to design a new limestone residence with a domed copper roof, which was completed in 1996.
Situated on nearly 1.8 acres overlooking the 18th fairway of the exclusive Pebble Beach Golf Links and the Pacific Ocean, the stunning home includes five bedrooms and ten bathrooms spread across 10,500 square feet of single-level living space, featuring radiant-heated stone floors, plaster walls, warm wood accents, and expansive glass panels. The property also boasts a four-car garage with tiles and heating, as well as a guest suite. Notable features include a modern kitchen with dual islands and high-end appliances, an elegant fireside office, and a luxurious primary suite with a high-end bath. The landscaped outdoor area includes a putting green, a greenhouse, a pond with bear sculptures (not included in the sale), and two large stone-clad patios—one with a fireplace and bronze trellis, and the other with a kitchen setup and two fire pits.