After nearly five decades of family ownership, Los Pumas, a secluded lakefront estate in Chile’s Northern Patagonia, is preparing for a new chapter. Set across approximately 10 acres along the shores of Lago Ranco, the property is being offered for $9.7 million, bringing to market a private retreat shaped by generations of family life, a remarkable natural setting and an unusually personal architectural history.
The sellers, filmmakers Terrence Martin and Dominique Braun, are parting with a property that has been far more than a vacation residence. Acquired by Braun’s late father, Juan Braun, in the late 1970s, the estate gradually evolved from a modest lakeside house into an expansive compound with seven bedrooms, extensive terraces, a private dock and facilities designed around life on the water.
For prospective buyers seeking something beyond a conventional luxury residence, Los Pumas represents an opportunity to acquire an established private retreat in one of South America’s most scenic lake districts.
A Family Legacy Nearly Five Decades in the Making
The story of Los Pumas began with an unplanned journey. In the late 1970s, Juan Braun, a pharmaceutical executive at AstraZeneca, and his wife traveled approximately 500 miles south from Santiago to visit friends. The surrounding landscape made such an impression that they decided to acquire a lakefront parcel, reportedly even trading in their car to help finance the purchase.
At the time, the property offered few of the conveniences expected of a contemporary luxury estate. There was a small house, but electricity, running water and reliable road access were limited. What followed was an unusually organic development process, with the family adding new spaces as their needs evolved.
Dominique Braun recalled the property’s early configuration in an interview with Mansion Global: “When he bought the property it had a little house.”
Rather than commissioning a single large construction project, the family expanded the residence over the years, adding bedrooms, enlarging the kitchen and creating additional living areas. The result is a sprawling, predominantly single-level house that reflects several decades of use and adaptation.
For Braun and her family, Los Pumas became the setting for summers, gatherings and experiences that would be difficult to reproduce elsewhere. She grew up in Argentina and remembers spending February vacations at the lake, swimming, enjoying the surrounding countryside and watching her father arrive by seaplane with friends and international guests.
Her recollection of the estate captures the personal significance of the setting. Speaking about her father’s enthusiasm for introducing visitors to the region, she described Lago Ranco as “a hidden jewel.”
A 6,500-Square-Foot Residence Built Around the Landscape
Today, the principal residence at Los Pumas encompasses approximately 6,500 square feet and offers seven bedrooms, a guest wing and extensive living spaces oriented toward the lake.
One of the property’s defining architectural characteristics is its predominantly horizontal layout. Instead of a vertically organized mansion, the residence extends across the site, allowing the various rooms and living areas to maintain a close relationship with the surrounding landscape.
Local oak plays an important role in the interior character. Oak-paneled walls introduce warmth and texture, while expansive terraces create a natural transition between indoor living spaces and the lakefront environment.
The residence was developed with the assistance of local builders, reinforcing its connection to the surrounding region. Its architecture is less concerned with imposing a formal luxury aesthetic than with accommodating an extended family lifestyle in a remote natural setting.
This distinction is central to the appeal of Los Pumas. Its value lies not only in its size or bedroom count, but also in the way its spaces have developed through decades of family ownership.
Private Lakefront Amenities and an Outdoor Lifestyle
The grounds extend well beyond the main house. A private dock with space for two boats provides direct access to Lago Ranco, making boating, swimming and kayaking central parts of everyday life.
A lakeside sauna and lounge offer a quieter setting for relaxation, while a dedicated hangar provides storage for boats and aircraft. The property also includes a caretaker’s workshop with equipment space and a detached staff apartment that can potentially serve as additional guest accommodation.
These facilities reflect the estate’s original purpose as a place for extended family gatherings and outdoor recreation. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Martin and Braun spent considerable time at Los Pumas, appreciating the privacy and freedom offered by the surrounding landscape.
Martin and Braun, who directed and starred together in the 2021 film Get Away if You Can, are normally based in Santa Monica, California. Their experience at the estate, however, reinforced the distinctive character of Northern Patagonia.
Martin described the region’s atmosphere in a conversation with Mansion Global, saying, “When we come here, it’s magical every day.”
The lake itself provides another dimension to the property’s lifestyle appeal. Lago Ranco stretches across approximately 442 square kilometers, making it Chile’s third-largest lake. Its relatively calm waters allow residents to travel between neighboring properties by boat, while the surrounding mountains create a dramatic backdrop throughout the seasons.
Lago Ranco: Northern Patagonia’s Quiet Luxury Destination
Los Pumas occupies a setting that differs considerably from the better-known image of southern Patagonia. While international visitors often associate Patagonia with remote glaciers, rugged mountain peaks and challenging wilderness, Northern Patagonia offers a more accessible combination of lakes, forests, agricultural landscapes and established summer destinations.
Lago Ranco is located in Chile’s Los Ríos Region, approximately 500 miles south of Santiago. The surrounding basin includes the communities of Lago Ranco, Futrono and Llifén, each contributing to the area’s tourism and local service economy.
According to Chile’s official tourism authority, the lake covers approximately 442 square kilometers. A scenic route follows much of its shoreline, connecting visitors with beaches, viewpoints and Isla Huapi, where Mapuche-Huilliche traditions remain an important part of the area’s cultural identity.
Outdoor recreation is a major attraction. Boating, fishing, kayaking, swimming and hiking are among the activities available throughout the region. Nearby Futangue Park offers access to native forests and nature trails, while the Llifén area is known for its thermal springs.
The region also offers a quieter culinary experience than major international resort destinations. Restaurants around Lago Ranco and Futrono serve locally inspired dishes, including trout, salmon, seafood and traditional southern Chilean specialties. Cafés, bakeries, small grocery stores, pharmacies and other everyday services can be found in the principal towns.
The municipality of Lago Ranco maintains a local directory covering accommodation, restaurants, shopping and visitor services across the wider lake basin. This provides useful context for prospective owners considering the practical aspects of maintaining a property in a relatively remote setting.
Access is another important consideration. Chile Travel identifies Pichoy Aerodrome, near Valdivia, as an air gateway, with Lago Ranco approximately 120 kilometers away by road. From Santiago, the journey generally requires a domestic flight followed by a substantial road transfer. Private aviation is also part of the area’s established summer lifestyle, although landing arrangements depend on individual sites and local permissions.
For an international buyer, the attraction is precisely this combination of accessibility and separation. Lago Ranco offers a destination-oriented lifestyle without the density and commercial development associated with more established luxury resort markets.
A Rare Opportunity to Continue the Los Pumas Story
The decision to sell marks the end of an unusually long family chapter. Although Dominique Braun remains deeply attached to the property, she believes the time has come for another family to enjoy it.
Her perspective is not simply that of a seller leaving behind a valuable real estate asset. Los Pumas has been part of her family’s history for almost her entire life, and the next owner will inherit a property whose identity has been shaped by generations of use.
Speaking about the future of the estate, Braun expressed the hope that a new family would embrace its recreational possibilities, bringing boats, jet skis, children and friends to the lake.
The property is being offered at $9.7 million through Loy Carlos of Nest Seekers International. It has previously appeared on the market, although the latest listing represents another opportunity for buyers to consider the estate.
For californialuxuryhouses, Los Pumas offers a compelling example of a different category of luxury real estate: one defined less by architectural spectacle or urban prestige than by land, water, privacy and the accumulated memories of family life.
Nearly 50 years after Juan Braun first recognized the beauty of this lakeside setting, the estate is ready for its next chapter. For the right buyer, Los Pumas could become not simply a second home, but a private Patagonian retreat around which an entirely new family story can unfold.