Upper East

The Hodges Estate

This historic Mediterranean estate is considered one of the true gems of Santa Barbara’s Upper East neighborhood. 

PROPERTY
Designed by noted architect, Winsor Soule, in 1921 for Caroline and Walter Hodges of the Santa Fe Railway, it is reminiscent of the Spanish Classical Revival Style.  The flat façade and classic formal floor plan, which takes full advantage of the South facing sunlight, was one of the largest and most impressive residential commissions for the firm of Soule, Murphy & Hastings at that time. 

Over 8,500 square feet under roof as indicated by the original plans, this Spanish Classical Revival style is high-lighted by the 2-story symmetrical main house and 1-story wings with a parapet and flat roof; low-pitched hipped-and-gabled tile roof; stucco walls; arched recessed main entrance and arched windows above; wooden casement mullioned windows; decorative ironwork including upper story balconets; in the rear, five pairs of arched French doors leading to the terrace and formal gardens with fountain.

Within the intact 1.16 acres of the original Hodges estate, the formal rear gardens, which are divided into garden “rooms” and separated by vine-covered walls, include a rose garden, citrus orchard, many mature specimen trees and an original arbor covered by Ficus pumila (creeping fig).  Like the house, the classical symmetry of the gardens is reminiscent of formal European gardens.

HISTORY
When Caroline and Walter Hodges had this magical property built in 1921, it was considered one of the premier Santa Barbara Upper East estates.  Walter Hodges, of the Santa Fe Railway, was instrumental in the development of Rancho Santa Fe north of San Diego.  In 1943 the home was purchased by Frances and Leo Sanders, a real estate investor and owner/operator of Stearns Wharf Company.

In 1983 Fielding Graduate University purchased the property as a site to administer their post-graduate programs.  Today they continue to use the property as their administrative headquarters as they prepare to relocate to a larger facility. While Fielding did add offices to the interior, much of the interior and exterior were restored to their original grandeur, including the formal gardens. 

Many of the original features have also been maintained;  including the coffered ceilings in the gallery, moldings, French windows and doors, a wood-burning fireplace in the library, window grilles, tile roofs and detailed ornament around openings remain.  In addition, the original footprint of the home has remained largely the same, including the main house, the two bedroom guest cottage, which was originally the chauffeur’s home, and the four bedroom wing of the servants’ quarters off the kitchen.

LOCATION
Centrally located in the sought-after Upper East neighborhood, the property is close to Downtown, restaurants, shopping, parks and the Mission Rose Garden.  This ideal location, historical character and architectural presence as well as the mature and lush gardens afford the buyer ability to make this into one of Santa Barbara’s most recognized and impressive properties!