Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

This €31 million smart mansion was never lived in

Take a look around.

FORMER APPLE EXECUTIVE Michael Barnick spent millions building his dream house.

He started designing the contemporary home with a bevy of automated features in 2005, according to The Wall Street Journal.

But by the time it was completed — just a few weeks ago — he no longer needed the 10,000-square-foot mansion, as his kids are all grown up.

Located in Santa Barbara, California, the home is listed for $35 million (€31.1m), but Barnick told WSJ he only spent $30 million (€26.6m) on it. Suzanne Perkins of Suzanne Perkins Realty has the listing.

Though he didn’t live in the home, Barnick definitely made use of it.

The design process taught him so much about home automation that he went on to found Quantum Integration, a company that installs smart home systems.

Keep scrolling for an inside-out tour.

On a sleepy Santa Barbara street, 4305 Marina Drive sits high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Southwestern landscaping and reflecting pools welcome you into the home.

on-a-sleepy-santa-barbara-street-4305-marina-drive-sits-high-on-a-bluff-overlooking-the-pacific-ocean-southwestern-landscaping-and-reflecting-pools-welcome-you-into-the-home Jim Bartsch Jim Bartsch

Inside, the house is light and airy — with fantastic water views.

inside-the-house-is-light-and-airy--with-fantastic-water-views Jim Bartsch Jim Bartsch

It’s packed to the rafters with gadgets and goodies. Lights, speakers, televisions, climate, window shades, gas fireplaces, and even door locks can be controlled remotely via a tablet or smartphone.

its-packed-to-the-rafters-with-gadgets-and-goodies-lights-speakers-televisions-climate-window-shades-gas-fireplaces-and-even-door-locks-can-be-controlled-remotely-via-a-tablet-or-smartphone Jim Bartsch Jim Bartsch

The home’s automation features are even more impressive. When the owner’s car pulls into the driveway, lights turn on, the garage door swings open, and a fountain starts flowing.

the-homes-automation-features-are-even-more-impressive-when-the-owners-car-pulls-into-the-driveway-lights-turn-on-the-garage-door-swings-open-and-a-fountain-starts-flowing Jim Bartsch Jim Bartsch

The kitchen is filled with stainless steel appliances.

the-kitchen-is-filled-with-stainless-steel-appliances Jim Bartsch Jim Bartsch

A formal dining room offers plenty of space for guests and shares an aquarium wall with the living room. The aquarium’s water changes are also automated.

a-formal-dining-room-offers-plenty-of-space-for-guests-and-shares-an-aquarium-wall-with-the-living-room-the-aquariums-water-changes-are-also-automated Jim Bartsch Jim Bartsch

The master bedroom has ample space and an additional staircase that goes to a third floor lookout tower.

the-master-bedroom-has-ample-space-and-an-additional-staircase-that-goes-to-a-third-floor-lookout-tower Jim Bartsch Jim Bartsch

The master’s glass-enclosed sitting area makes the most of the property’s picturesque views.

the-masters-glass-enclosed-sitting-area-makes-the-most-of-the-propertys-picturesque-views Jim Bartsch Jim Bartsch

The walk-in closet defies expectations and provides a serene place to get dressed.

the-walk-in-closet-defies-expectations-and-provides-a-serene-place-to-get-dressed Jim Bartsch Jim Bartsch

The other bedrooms are much like the master, sans lookout tower.

the-other-bedrooms-are-much-like-the-master-sans-lookout-tower Jim Bartsch Jim Bartsch

Even the bathrooms have great views.

even-the-bathrooms-have-great-views Jim Bartsch Jim Bartsch

An aquarium also makes an appearance in the office, which is accessed by a 500 pound pivot door that opens with a simple touch.

an-aquarium-also-makes-an-appearance-in-the-office-which-is-accessed-by-a-500-pound-pivot-door-that-opens-with-a-simple-touch Jim Bartsch Jim Bartsch

No 10,000-square-foot mansion would be complete without a gym.

no-10000-square-foot-mansion-would-be-complete-without-a-gym Jim Bartsch Jim Bartsch

The patio is huge.

the-patio-is-huge Jim Bartsch Jim Bartsch

A cozy fire pit awaits at the property’s edge.

all-the-technology-in-the-world-cant-overshadow-an-oasis-like-this Jim Bartsch Jim Bartsch

- Dennis Green

Read: This mansion could become one of the most expensive houses ever in the US >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Published with permission from
View 24 comments
Close
24 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds