A friendly PR bunny hopped on by Yolanda’s email last week and let us know popular pop artist Donald Robertson (aka “Drawbertson”) was flipping his casually luxe home in the forever-posh seaside community of Montecito, CA with an asking price of $5,850,000.
Mr. Robertson may not be quite a household name in the vein of superstars like Banksy or Mr. Brainwash, but he’s got more than 184,000 followers on Instagram and a substantial celebrity following. His vivid depictions of popular figures have earned him praise and lucrative collaborations with high-end outlets like Bloomingdale’s and Bergdorf Goodman. And among his fans (and clients) are A-listers like Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kris Jenner, and Jessica Alba.
Originally built in 1926, the classically-Montecito Spanish-style estate has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms in a commodious (but not overwhelmingly huge) 4,899-square-feet of living space and sits just a couple blocks from picturesque Miramar Beach. Records show Mr. Robertson paid $2,995,000 for the property in April 2015, which means he’s currently asking nearly double what he paid less than two years ago. Of course, Mr. Robertson has put substantial work into the property to justify the major price jump.
Sited on 1.3 flat acres, the estate was renovated with the assistance of designer Paul Fortune. According to the press release, Mr. Robertson and his wife Kimberly Gieske “have harmoniously modernized this 1920’s vintage Spanish Hedgerow estate creating the perfect symbiosis between classic architecture and luxe contemporary living.”
Listing photographs show the casually luxe spread has surprisingly (for a pop artist’s residence) pared-down decor sensibilities and color palettes. It’s practically minimalist, in fact. Although we feel like the kitchen floor would be better suited with some Spanish tiles or bricks rather than the mod-looking pattern it’s currently rockin’, we do quite like the house overall.
Naturally, the property is walled and gated for privacy, and Elizabeth Low is responsible for the lush yet unfussy landscaping.
Double the price might seem like a tall order, and Yolanda is not as familiar with the Montecito market as we are with LA’s. But a quick pricetag comparison with neighboring pads shows that Mr. Robertson’s house actually might not be overpriced. Last year, a significantly smaller house on a slightly smaller lot just one block away from Mr. Robertson’s property sold for $5,000,000.
Good luck with sale, Mr. Robertson. Now will you please send us one of your custom Birkins?! Pretty please? Just to borrow?
Listing agents: Rochelle Maize, Nourmand & Associates; Pippa Davis, Compass
Photographer: David Palmero