Philanthropist Ann Lurie has listed her longtime midcentury residence in Santa Barbara’s exclusive Montecito neighborhood for nearly $12.9 million. Lurie, the widow of the late Chicago entrepreneur Robert H. Lurie and a prominent figure in philanthropy, acquired the estate for $8.3 million in the summer of 2005.
The property, originally designed by landscape architect Lockwood de Forest Jr. in the late 1940s, sits on over 3 acres within a walled and gated cul-de-sac. It features a spacious five-bedroom, five-bath main house with rustic wood accents and extensive glass walls that blend indoor and outdoor spaces. Highlights of the home include a wood-trimmed skylight in the entry foyer, an office with a built-in desk, a media room, and a cozy living room with a striking fireplace. The kitchen is equipped with a central island, stainless appliances, and a breakfast nook, while the master retreat includes a fireside bath with a steel-encased soaking tub and sauna.
The property is especially notable for its expansive grounds, which feature a well-appointed outdoor kitchen and barbecue area, an al fresco dining space, a sunken fire pit, and a large infinity-edge pool and spa with a wooden sundeck offering stunning views. Additionally, there is a one-bedroom, one-bath guesthouse with its own living area and kitchen, as well as a detached three-car garage.
Ann Lurie, who inherited her husband’s wealth after his death in 1990, is the president of the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Foundation. She has made significant contributions to various causes, including a $100 million donation in 2007 to build the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. In 2017, she sold a historic 18,000-square-foot Chicago home to the Latin School of Chicago for $12 million, marking the highest-priced sale in the Chicago area at that time.
