Geraldine Gilliland, a chef and cookbook author, has formally turned over the keys to her Malibu mountain home to its new owner. This comes after she put the home up for sale for $18 million more than a year ago. This property was purchased by Drederick Irving, a former college and professional basketball player, who is also the father of Kyrie Irving, a phenom for the Brooklyn Nets. According to public records, Drederick Irving paid $10.7 million for the property, which is around $7.4 million less than the initial asking price.
The forty-acre property, which is known as “Rancho Chiquita,” has been utilized as a location for weddings and parties, as well as a filming location for “The Voice” and a non-profit dog rescue organization, ever since it was purchased by Gilliland, the proprietor of the Lula Cocina Mexicana restaurant in Santa Monica, who has since increased the amount of land that she owns. Currently, the gated compound is comprised of a main house designed in the form of a hacienda as well as a detached villa. All of these structures are located on a 225-acre parcel that offers views of both the ocean and the mountains.
There is a total of over 6,700 square feet of living space spread across two stories in the main house, which is constructed out of stucco and terracotta and has wood-beam ceilings, Saltillo tile and parquet flooring, arched entrances, and clerestory windows throughout. There is a living room with a fireplace and a formal dining room with its own fireplace on the main level. Additionally, there is a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, an eat-in island with built-in wine storage, high-end stainless appliances, a walk-in pantry, and a breakfast nook. These are some of the highlights of the main level.
All of the bedrooms are secluded in two separate wings of the house, one featuring an ocean-view master retreat with a custom fireplace, private patio, spacious cedar-lined walk-in closet, separate fireside sitting room, loft space, and luxe bath that opens to a terrace with a spa, and the other holding two main-level bedrooms with access to an outdoor palapa and a lower-level staff/guest suite with two bedrooms, an office, living room, and kitchen.
Outdoors, the palatial grounds feature a pool and spa with an infinity edge, a kitchen and bar, and numerous areas ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining, including a grassy area that can accommodate up to 250 guests. In addition to a three-car garage and parking for at least 20 vehicles, additional features include a distinct gated service entrance leading to a large motor court and an event staging area.
