The coastal California property boasts a tennis court, equestrian facilities, and a swimming pool—it’s also where James Cameron wrote parts of his famous “Avatar” franchise.
James Cameron is a behemoth in the world of film, having created legendary movies like Titanic (1997) and Aliens (1986), as well as popular film franchises like The Terminator and Avatar. As such, it’s only fitting that the filmmaker owns a property that matches his larger-than-life work.
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Cameron’s 8,000-square-foot mansion is nestled within the Hollister Ranch community of Santa Barbara, California. However, the filmmaker won’t be residing in the sunny paradise for much longer.
Just a few days ago, Cameron listed the property with an asking price of $33 million. It’ll be the most expensive real estate deal in the area if it sells for that amount, as per The Wall Street Journal. Emily Kellenberger of Village Properties-Forbes Global Properties and Jeff Kruthers of Hollister Ranch Realty are currently managing the listing.
An Immense Creative Enclave
Cameron’s home features five bedrooms, two offices, a gym, a media room, a game room, and an expansive library-office with an ocean view. It’s here where the filmmaker reportedly wrote sections of his popular Avatar franchise (including the recent sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water).
The home’s wall-to-wall glass, particularly in the great room, highlights the beauty of its surrounding nature. Cameron compared the overall atmosphere to “a Hawaiian resort,” in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
The filmmaker has also enjoyed watching sea otters, seals, dolphins, and the occasional humpback whale thanks to the property’s perfect seaside location.
Environmentally-Centered Living
On top of being a filmmaker, Cameron is an avid environmentalist. Both he and his wife, Suzy, share a passion for all things nature. This is evident in the many deep-sea explorations the filmmaker takes.
His and his wife’s love for the land is evident in almost every facet of their abode. For instance, the filmmaker stated that they replaced the marble fixtures previously found in the home with more wood and stone.
“We brought it back down to something that felt connected to the land,” he elaborated.
Organic vegetable gardens abound around the property. Cameron and his wife have grown so much fresh produce that they were able to supplement the menu of their Green School in Los Angeles. Their home also runs on solar and wind power of up to 100 kilowatts.
Walk the Talk
One might wonder: why give it all up? Well, the filmmaker’s reason ties into his personal, environment-centered philosophy.
“We don’t believe in having a gigantic carbon footprint,” he told The Wall Street Journal. “So we felt it was time to pass the baton to somebody else.”
Cameron and his wife also own 5,000 acres of property in New Zealand, 10,000 acres in Saskatchewan, and a home in Crested Butte, Colorado. So the move is his way of trimming down what he has. “One major criticism, especially if you’re seen as a high-visibility, or high-net worth person is, ‘Oh, you’ve got all these properties all over the place. That’s not very sustainable,’” Cameron continued. “We’re trying to walk the walk of sustainability.”
Banner photo by Blake Bronstad from the Village Properties website.
