Anchored in the coastal enclave of Santa Barbara, California, a houseboat on the market for $4.9 million may beckon to those with a taste for luxury and aquatic living.
The floating home in its chic, modern state is the brainchild of Jeff Wapner, a woodworker, upcycler, and avid sailor and surfer, who purchased the nearly 50-year-old houseboat — named Thomas Jefferson — in 2014. Wapner had admired the houseboat since his youth.
"I've lived in a lot of really unique homes and structures during my life," Wapner told Insider. "After moving back to Santa Barbara, I wanted to live as close as possible to the ocean. I had known about this floating home since I was a kid, so I decided to pursue it."
After living on the Thomas Jefferson for about a year, Wapner realized there were a few issues. The framing wasn't to code because of rot and extensive termite damage. The floating home was also doing exactly what you don't want boats to do — gradually sinking.
Wapner decided to renovate.
Over the course of nine months, he spent $2 million updating the exterior and interior of the home, enlisting the help of his father, architect friend CJ Paone, and interior designer Louisa Kimble. The end result is a 1,400-square-foot home that boasts an upgraded and larger second story with new flooring, kitchen cabinetry, and appliances. The slip in Santa Barbara Harbor is included in its listing price, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Take a look inside.