By the edhat staff
A one-of-a-kind property in Santa Barbara, known simply as the “Whale House,” is for sale.
Listed at $3.25 million, this distinctive Mission Canyon home was custom-built in 1978 and features a whale-shaped design inspired by Herman Melville’s famous novel “Moby-Dick.”
Designed by architect Michael Carmichael, the four-story Whale House resembles a whale swallowing a ship, with its entrance located through the mouth of the creature. The interior courtyard boasts a bamboo-lined outdoor shower, and the highlight of the property is a 75-foot lap pool that flows into a grotto within the whale’s tail. Additionally, a detached guest house can be found in the tail section.
(Photo: Scott Gibson for Sotheby’s International Realty)
The Whale House offers a range of unique features inside, including a spiral staircase, rock-covered elevator shaft, 270 Belgian leaded and stained glass windows, and undulating walls of Venetian plaster. The residence comprises three bedrooms, four bathrooms, a kitchen, living and dining rooms on the second floor, and a primary suite with a jetted spa tub, sitting area, and balcony overlooking the pool on the third floor.
With cedar shingling on the exterior, the Whale House seamlessly blends in with its natural surroundings of oak and sycamore trees. A front patio enhances outdoor space and relaxation.
The entire property is described as a “pure hand-made artisan and architectural genius” in the Airbnb listing, which lists for about $1,500 per night.
The Whale House is listed by Daniel Carpenter from Sotheby’s International Realty – Montecito – Coast Village Road Brokerage.
Whether someone is drawn to the charm of Moby-Dick or simply seeks a delightful and quirky dwelling, the Whale House will surely provide a whale of a time.
The full listing can be seen here.
Photo: Scott Gibson for Sotheby’s International Realty)(
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9:33 suggested communism. I would have thought that concept was pretty thoroughly debunked by now, but many people still cling to it.
Chip, no, not really. In fact, very few people advocate for Communism.
But some dogmatic extremists on the right who operate by advancing a revolving cast of boogeymen for stupid people to react to still cling to it.
Alexblue–you are grossly uninformed. China has billions of people who have benefited immensely from the Communist government. Before that people were living in filth, exploitation, disease and general poverty. Whatever criticisms are valid about the present Chinese state, they have elevated their population’s standard of living hugely.
The last comment should have been addressed to Chip as well.
RHS, the Chinese government is not Communist. The fact that it has “Communist” in the name doesn’t mean it is Communist in practice.
Alex, it’s Democrats who consistently suspend civil rights. The latest example occurred over the weekend. The democratic governor of New Mexico suspended constitutional rights for 30 days, declaring a “health emergency.” Her actions are so flagrantly unconstitutional the sheriff and police chief have public ally declared their refusal to enforce her order. Of course in China the highly educated government officials can take bold actions as they see fit to uplift their population without the burdens of civil liberties and a separation of powers to slow them down. Soon Taiwan will enjoy the benefits of china’s governance, perhaps one day we will too.
Chip, the closest thing we have to Chinese style autocracy cloaked in nationalism is the MAGA wing of the Republican Party.
Power by any means. Limit constitutional rights. Pump out endless propaganda. Encourage violence against political opponents. Use wealth to control the law.
Yep, that’s your pals right there.
I went inside this house many years ago when it was for sale. It’s worth a look. Definitely a fun piece of art, or at least craft. I can’t imagine spending $1,500 a night to stay there or anywhere. But it’s cool that somebody built it
Fugly house!
Air BnB rental? Highest and best use of this double home? This is more evidence of the suspect nature of the “housing shortage” in SB. The guest house, at least, could be a rental to a local worker. The economics of free market exploitative capitalism is here on display.
How about a land reform program to achieve a more equitable distribution of property ownership? Overbuilt estates like this could be repurposed to provide housing for those in need, and building regulations could be updated to prevent such lavish and wasteful construction in the future. To each according to his need, and from each according to his ability, right?
As much as I support housing for workers, this home is a piece of art. A standalone beauty, hardly an example of capitalism. I hope whoever buys this home, keeps it as amazing as it is.
Sure. If you’re into Karl Marx and being a commie…
Great idea Chip. You should start the movement by buying this house and donating it to the cause. Since you’re obviously into taking private property and gifting it into the public domain. Doing this will allow you to become the face for the new Socialist Party of Santa Barbara and a hero to the poor and downtrodden.
Chip, how about you get over it. The Cold War is over and we won, stop living in the past like Communism is even still a thing.
Chip is literally trolling ya dummy.
Of course he is. But whom exactly are you calling a dummy?
The CCP is authoritarian and treats its citizens like worker bees.
There is an anecdotal story about US State Dept holding talks with the CCP regarding treatment of dissidents. The CCP official said “OK, we will send 100 million of them a year to you, treat them as you wish”
The lot is pie shaped and was defiantly a challenge. The owner would hire an any one who wanted to work, even me 15 year old girl on my bike. I did some clean up and was able see the house.
Love that house
Very difficult read.