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.

Dan LatuJul 30, 2023, 20:02 IST

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.

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

The courtyard.Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

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

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 patio.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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A fourth-floor bedroom.Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

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

A bedroom.Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

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

A fourth-floor bathroom.Courtesy of Scott Gibson for Sotheby's International Realty

The interior courtyard includes a bamboo-lined 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.

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

The guest house includes a bedroom and living room.

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

Interested parties might need to move quickly, though.

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.

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

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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 &mdash; see inside.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

The guest house includes a bedroom and living room.

Interested parties might need to move quickly, though.

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

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.