An Artist's Modern Sanctuary in Montecito. Montecito is defined by its Mediterranean villas and Spanish Revival estates, which makes a truly modern residence here a rare find. Rarer still is one with a story like this. Set off a private drive, behind gates on 1.3 fully fenced acres, 2694 Sycamore Canyon Road was for years the home and working studio of Aris Demetrios, the sculptor whose bronzes stand in more than a hundred of the region's finest estates and in public spaces from Santa Barbara City College to the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center. The house itself carries a sculptor's understanding of volume and light. More than 5,800 square feet of living space unfolds beneath vaulted ceilings, and broad expanses of glass draw Montecito's shifting light deep inside, so that the gardens and sky become part of nearly every room. The home's thoughtfully designed layout offers an easy flow between generous living spaces, and the flexibility to accommodate changing needs over time. Travertine extends through the principal rooms, while wide-plank floors warm the bedrooms, and custom millwork and ample storage are found throughout. The kitchen is appointed with custom wood cabinetry, stone countertops, a Viking Professional range and refrigerator, GE Monogram ovens and wine storage, a large island with bar seating, and a spacious pantry. The primary suite is a quiet sanctuary, with a fireplace, two custom closets, a deep soaking tub, and a walk-in shower enclosed in glass. Three additional bedrooms complete the private wing; two are en suite, and one has its own fireplace. The studio where Demetrios worked remains a generous, light-filled space with a utility sink and cabinetry, ideal as an art studio, office, or wellness room. Outside, the property continues its artistic story. The current owners commissioned the Japanese mosaic artist Toyoharu Kii to create a site-specific mural, composed of thousands of hand-cut tesserae of Italian Biancone limestone and blue smalti, evoking the image of rings spreading across still water. As the day turns, light moves across its white stone and deep blue glass, and the quiet sound of moving water carries through the garden. The image echoes throughout the grounds: a spa and solar-heated pool, a water garden, fountains, and a dry creek tracing its way through the generous terraced landscape. Four custom pergolas shade outdoor rooms, and broad, level terraces and a bocce court invite long afternoons. An enclosed kitchen garden with six raised planting beds sits among fruit trees bearing persimmon, pomegranate, kumquat, mulberry, plum, peach, apple, and citrus. Beneath it all, the home runs on two owned solar systems (one with battery backup), along with radiant floor heating in the principal living areas, five-zone climate control, a whole-home water softener, and a monitored security system with remote gate control. A detached three-car garage with EV charging, plus parking for ten, completes the property. The home sits minutes from Montecito's Upper Village, within the Cold Spring School District. Few homes in Montecito carry a story like this one: a place where art was made, and where it continues to live.
Single-familyProperty Type
1947Year Built
1.3 acresLot Size
$1,615Price/Sq.Ft.
3 car garageParking
Listed by Joel Knee•DRE #02248540• Douglas Elliman of California, Inc.
Listed by Adam McKaig•DRE #01237501• Douglas Elliman of California, Inc.
This eclectic Montecito contemporary is an artful canvas where large-scale art and design collections can take center stage. The dynamic light-filled home has evolved from an adobe packing shed that was part of a 19th-century lemon orchard. Over the years, the original thick-walled adobe has expanded to an interesting and playful arrangement. The contemporary addition was completed in 2011 by architect Ellen Bildsten, inspired by Barry Berkus, and now offers approximately 5,881 sq. ft. with 4-bedrooms, 4-½ baths, a grand approx. 640 sq. ft. living room with a 12-ft. ceiling, a long gallery hall with walls of glass, a large gourmet kitchen open to the family room, and a bright formal dining room. A center office opens to an approx. 800 sq. ft. art studio with a 15-ft. steel beamed ceiling, and massive glass sliders that reveal a private salt water pool and hot tub courtyard. The property is located on approx. 1.3 acres and offers sculptured gardens, beautiful mountain views and some ocean views from the expansive roof-top terrace. The recent two-year renovation reconfigured the unique interior spaces to create a more functional concept. The latest redesign included enlarging the kitchen, adding a large center island with a raised glass breakfast bar, as well as the addition of two more bedrooms, a laundry room, an office, and a new 3-car garage with electric glass doors and a Tesla charging station for an electric vehicle. The geometrical composition of the home's facade offers bold and striking design elements with unique sculptures and landscape details. Covered loggia's and architectural details protrude from the exterior creating a 3-D effect. Columned, tiered steps lead to the glass front door with floor-to-ceiling glass on the adjacent wall with views to the garden and ocean. The main gallery is flanked with floor-to-ceiling windows allowing natural light to showcase stunning art collections within. The serene property is walled and hedged, and located on a cul-de-sac with only five other homes. *A new gray metal roof was installed in 2018 *Total Repaint of Exterior in 2017 *Wine Refrigerator *Two Washer/Dryer units (one in laundry room, one in master suite)
SBMLS #18-3468
Feb 15, 2019
Listing Removed
—
Sep 21, 2018
Listed
$5,300,000
$901/sq ft
SBMLS #18-1842
Sep 20, 2018
Listing Removed
—
May 22, 2018
Listed
$5,300,000
$901/sq ft
SBMLS #07-1679
Oct 22, 2008
Sold
$3,000,000
$510/sq ft
Sep 22, 2008
Listing Removed
—
Apr 16, 2007
Listed
$3,999,000
$680/sq ft
SBMLS #02-243
Dec 17, 2002
Sold
$1,765,000
$300/sq ft
Nov 5, 2002
Listing Removed
—
Jan 25, 2002
Listed
$1,795,000
$305/sq ft
Public Records
Jan 14, 2000
Sold
$1,177,000
$200/sq ft
SBMLS #91-3357
Oct 21, 1992
Listing Removed
—
Jul 22, 1991
Listed
$779,500
$133/sq ft
Year
Property tax
Land + Additions
Assessment*
2026
$48,161 (+2.2%)
$1,673,277 + $2,783,216
$4,456,493
2025
$47,126 (+1.8%)
$1,673,277 + $2,783,216
$4,456,493
2024
$46,295 (+1.8%)
$1,640,468 + $2,728,644
$4,369,112
2023
$45,469 (+1.6%)
$1,608,302 + $2,675,142
$4,283,444
2022
$44,773 (+2.1%)
$1,576,767 + $2,622,689
$4,199,456
2021
$43,853 (+1.7%)
$1,545,850 + $2,571,264
$4,117,114
2020
$43,127 (+21.9%)
$1,515,540 + $2,520,848
$4,036,388
2019
$35,386 (−4.8%)
$1,500,000 + $2,495,000
$3,995,000
2018
$37,169
$1,988,000 + $1,259,000
$3,247,000
2017
$37,166 (+6.0%)
$2,093,000 + $1,325,000
$3,418,000
2016
$35,049 (+2.1%)
$2,093,000 + $1,325,000
$3,418,000
2015
$34,316 (+4.5%)
$1,993,000 + $1,262,000
$3,255,000
2014
$32,846 (+9.6%)
$1,861,000 + $1,178,000
$3,039,000
2013
$29,968 (+0.6%)
$1,861,000 + $1,178,000
$3,039,000
2012
$29,779 (−2.2%)
$1,692,000 + $1,071,000
$2,763,000
2011
$30,449 (−4.9%)
$1,692,000 + $1,071,000
$2,763,000
2009
$32,008 (+170.2%)
$1,974,000 + $846,000
$2,820,000
2008
$11,847
$489,345 + $587,541
$1,076,886
Public record
Public record
Permits
Beds
3
Baths
3
Stories
—
Lot width
—
Lot depth
—
Lot size
1.2 Acres
Year renovated
1990
Finished Sq. Ft.
—
Unfinished Sq. Ft.
—
Total Sq. Ft.
5,881
Year built
1947
Style
Single Family Residential
County
Santa Barbara County
APN
011160059
Parking Spaces
—
Basement
—
Accessible
—
HOA Dues
—
Garage
—
Features
—
Last updated by owner on Nov 10, 2026.
Mar 1, 2019 • Final
Historic permits
Remove existing roofing material and replace it with new OSB board and a composition roof.
Roofing
Permit history is from public records and may be incomplete or inaccurate. Redfin and its agents make no representations about the property condition or permit status. Buyers should independently verify all information.
Climate risks
1/10 Flood Factor
Minimal risk of a flood reaching the building in the next 30 years
3/10 Fire Factor
0.31% chance of being in a wildfire in next 30 years
6/10 Heat Factor
8 days above 84° expected this year, 21 days in 30 years
1/10 Wind Factor
Minimal risk of severe winds over next 30 years
8/10 Air Factor
13 unhealthy days expected this year, 13 days in 30 years
Provided by First Street
Historical weather
Santa Barbara, CA • 93108
Average low and high temperatures (°F)
67°
50°
67°
52°
68°
54°
67°
53°
68°
56°
69°
59°
74°
61°
74°
62°
74°
64°
73°
58°
67°
53°
67°
52°
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sun exposure
87/ 100
Very good sunlight
Sunscore
This home receives average direct sun exposure in Santa Barbara. There appears to be minimal shading by surrounding buildings, terrain, and vegetation.
9.4 hrs
6.7 hrs
JuneDecember
Provided by Shadowmap
Redfin Estimate for 2694 Sycamore Canyon Rd
$9,469,777
$25K under list price of $9.50M
Nearby comparable homes
The Redfin Estimate uses 4 recent nearby sales, priced between $6.7M to $11.3M.