7231 Monte Vista Ave

This English Tudor landmark estate is a fixture within La Jolla's historic Beach Barber Tract neighborhood that is widely admired for its architectural beauty, its unusually large corner lot with surrounding gardens, and its coveted location that's just a block from Marine Street beach and a short walk to all of the shops and restaurants of the Village! Available to purchase for the first time in nearly 60 years, this timeless home was originally designed in 1924 by famed architect Edgar V. Ullrich as his personal residence during his commission of the seaside resort-turned-retirement-community, Casa de Ma ana, and was later home to Philip Barber while developing his surrounding self-named tract. Cherished by the same family since the early 1960's, this beloved home is affectionately called The Monkey House by locals for the sculpture that dons the front gable with two monkeys holding the Ullrich family crest. In 1928, Ullrich designed a 2nd story for the Barbers with a winding staircase from the living room that leads to two en-suite bedrooms with balconies overlooking the ocean. The current owners gave special care to the original English storybook aesthetic when completing the home's largest addition of the 3rd story with ocean views and sprawling family room with 3-story ceilings, a wall of French doors that open to the patio, and a gigantic fireplace inspired by the Ahwahnee Lodge in Yosemite. The expansive 5250 SqFt main house features a fantastic floorplan that includes 7 bedrooms (plus a dedicated office/optional bedroom), 6.5 bathrooms, a formal dining room, an eat-in family kitchen, a formal living room with vaulted cathedral ceilings, a sun-drenched family room with soaring ceilings, and tons of original charm including ocean view balconies, window seats, and leaded windows with clear and stained glass throughout that open to feel the ocean breeze or listen to the waves as you fall asleep. In addition to the main house, the property features a 400+ SqFt guest studio apartment above the detached garage with 1 bed/1 bath and a kitchenette. The spacious and beautifully landscaped backyard, with ample living and dining spaces, has been the setting of many family weddings, 4th of July parades, holiday parties, and La Jolla Secret Garden Tours throughout the years; the backyard also features an idyllic playhouse replica of the original home that Ullrich designed for his children's use. This majestic property has been home to only 4 families throughout its long, 97-year history, and it will undoubtedly be the setting for many future memories of its next lucky owners!