Our little town keeps expanding!
I’ve been watching this project since its design review phase days so I was very excited to finally tour the first two finished homes at the Santa Barbara Polo Residences. I have lots of unfounded opinions about the development, but I’ll hold off on those until I’ve seen more of what’s behind that stucco wall. I do want to share some context outside of my own take. This excerpt from their website captures the spirit of what they were going for with this project:
"It is a way of life found where California’s Santa Ynez Mountains unfurl to the golden shores of Carpinteria Beach. An artful merging of surf and turf blending exceptional coastal architecture and irreplaceable equestrian living with a natural setting whose rustic beauty is every bit as magical as its storied past."
What’s Being Built
Located next to the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, this is a 40-home development on a little over 11 acres. The Santa Barbara Polo Residence is made up of:
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25 single-family residences, each ranging from ~2,500 to 4,000 sq. ft.
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15 attached townhomes (casitas), which haven’t been completed or released to the public yet
Pricing Overview
While official price lists for all units haven’t been released publicly, first-stage pricing is:
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Single-family homes start above $3 million, with some pushing past $5 million depending on finishes, lot size, and location within the community
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Townhomes (casitas) are expected to begin in the high $1 million range
Based on layout and pricing, I suspect many of these homes will appeal to second-home buyers, especially those looking for a turnkey retreat near the beach, polo fields, and Montecito.
Design & Feel
The homes have a modern, rustic style: clean lines, earthy palettes, and from what I can tell, an emphasis on indoor/outdoor living. Floor plans include:
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3 to 4 bedrooms
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Private, 2-car garages and landscaped yards(some with Polo views)
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Indoor-outdoor connectivity with large patios or courtyards
- Classy and bold design choices
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Flexible spaces for an office or gym
- Emphasis on hosting/entertaining
Setting & Surroundings
The development borders the historic polo fields, offering:
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Proximity to the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
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Easy access to Carpinteria, Summerland, Montecito and Santa Barbara
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Scenic views of both mountains and ocean, depending on your lot
There are also plans for: -
4+ acres of open space, including a pond and native landscaping
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A public multi-use trail connecting to the Toro Canyon Trails Plan
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Restored creek corridors that add to the natural setting
A New Kind of Living in Carpinteria
This is one of the few places in Santa Barbara offering new construction with classy modern designs and square footage we rarely see locally. Think: en-suite bedrooms for everyone, expansive indoor-outdoor living areas, open kitchens, and architectural touches more common in newer developments outside the 805. Whether or not it’s your vibe, it’s undeniably shifting the landscape of what’s available in Carpinteria’s real estate market.
I’ll continue to share insights as more homes become available and the townhomes are released. For now, this is one to keep an eye on if you're interested in the intersection of luxury living and coastal Carp living.
