The high-end real estate market in San Diego appears to be reaching new heights, with the latest listing of the Sand Castle, a clifftop mansion in La Jolla, California, with a hefty price tag of $108 million. The sum, which sets a new record for the county, more than doubles the previous high for a home sale in the region, according to information by Fortune. This sprawling estate was formed by combining two lots and boasts a spacious interior of 12,981 square feet, a guest residence, and extensive grounds.
Owned by Darwin Deason, a tech billionaire, the estate is a product of a significant remodeling effort completed in 2015, drawing inspiration from the opulence of homes on the French Riviera and Palm Beach, with Deason telling Fortune, "It is just time to move on." The nickname "Sand Castle" references the mansion’s sandy beige exterior and robust, fortress-like appearance. With 10 bedrooms and 14 full bathrooms, the property contains custom details, French-imported fireplaces, crystal chandeliers, and a crafted mahogany indoor bar that resembles the bar on Deason's yacht.
The Sand Castle's unique features include men's and women's cabanas by the poolside and a man-made beach with sand identical to that found in Augusta National Golf Club's sand traps. The property stands on a seawall built before California regulations banned such erosion-fighting structures, as detailed on the official website of Sand Castle La Jolla. This detail signifies that a similar mansion could not be constructed today, offering a rare level of coastal protection for the property.
The estate's main house stretches over 9,565 square feet, while a sizable 3,416-square-foot guest house offers independent accommodation, replete with fine décor and ocean views. The outdoor spaces are no less grandiose, featuring terraces and patios with fireplaces and custom statues enhancing the grounds. Deason, whose primary residence is in Dallas, also owns a collection of vacation homes and indulges in sea voyages aboard his yacht, the Apogee, as mentioned in his interview with Fortune.
