You can own this Santa Barbara home shaped like a whale for $3.25 million. Or you can rent it on Airbnb, so long as you're 40 or older — see inside.

Sun, 07/30/2023 - 09:00

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Whale House backyard with a dinner table for 6 — The patio and entrance to the Whale House.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

Designed in 1978, the home draws inspiration from architect Antoni Gaudí's whimsical, curved works.
The estate, containing a stone grotto and lap pool, has hardly a single straight line.
It can be rented on Airbnb for $1,561 per night, but the person booking must be born before 1984.

Tucked into the hills of Santa Barbara, a 45-year-old home dubbed the "Whale House" is on the market for $3.25 million.

Whale House backyard covered in trees with a lit-up swimming pool — The courtyard.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

Source: Sotheby's International Realty

The structure is made of weathered grey shingles — similar to the color of a whale — that move in the breeze.

Whale House entrance — The home's entrance.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

But it's not only the color of a whale. The entire estate aims to recreate the creature's form, explained listing agent Daniel Carpenter. "It truly runs the anatomy of the whale," he told Insider.

The front entrance mimics a whale's head. There's a "blowhole" spiral staircase, a "belly of the whale" interior courtyard, and a "tail" lap pool that flows out to the connected guest house.

Oak trees grow over the 75-foot lap pool.

Whale House lap pool with trees growing on the edge — The lap pool.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

The lap pool is split, with 40 feet outside and 35 feet flowing inside the guest house.

Corner of the lap pool in the Whale House — The lap pool.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

The home consists of three bedrooms and three-and-half bathrooms.

Whale House living room with a curved couch and stone fireplace — The second floor living room.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

The sloping, grooved aesthetic was inspired by the flair of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, who designed La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

Whale House dining room with stone wall — The dining room.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

"There are no right angles in the house," Carpenter told Insider.

Whale House kitchen — The second-floor kitchen.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

Architect Michael Carmichael designed the home in 1978 and was its first resident, Carpenter said.

Whale House kitchen showing coffee machine and curved pantry door — The second-floor kitchen.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

Whale-flecked touches can be seen throughout home, like the refrigerator in the kitchen.

Whale House kitchen showing the sink, refrigerator, and stone stovetop — The second-floor kitchen.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

The three-story home is covered in river rocks and Venetian plaster.

Whale House bathroom — The second-floor bathroom.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

Carmichael also designed a sister house, dubbed the "Wave House," located nearby.

Whale House dining room — The dining room.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

A private grotto, seen to the right, is located right off the primary suite bedroom, featuring a full spa.

Whale House bedroom — The primary suite bedroom.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

A bright red wave of tiles cuts through the primary suite bathroom, with a private balcony off to the side.

Whale House primary suite bathroom — The primary suite bathroom.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

If the seven-figure price tag is out of your budget, the home is available to rent on Airbnb for $1,561 per night — with one important catch.

Source: Airbnb

Because of the home's artistic quality, the person making the booking must be at least 40 years old.

The owners wanted to ensure people won't be "packing in" guests to "throw massive parties," Carpenter said.

The interior courtyard includes a bamboo-lined outdoor shower.

Whale House outdoor shower — The outdoor shower.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

The lap pool provides easy swim-in access to the guest house.

Whale House lap pool — The lap pool.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

The guest house includes a bedroom and living room.

Whale house guesthouse — The guest house living room.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

Interested parties might need to move quickly, though.

Whale House guest house bedroom — The guest house bedroom.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

Carpenter told Insider that over 30 people have already toured the home and they've received multiple offers.

Whale House guest house laundry room — The guest house laundry room.
Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

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Real Estate, Features, homes for sale, whale house, Santa Barbara, California

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You can own this Santa Barbara home shaped like a whale for $3.25 million. Or y…