Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis are undertaking a major renovation of their beachfront property in Carpinteria, California, with plans to expand the main residence, add a swimming pool and reshape the outdoor space. The couple purchased the property for $10.1 million in 2017, and the redevelopment comes more than two years after severe flooding and mudslides affected the surrounding area. Planning documents filed with Santa Barbara County in March 2024 outline the proposed changes, while reporting by Realtor dot com, SFGate and realestate dot com dot au has detailed the property’s history and the scale of the planned redevelopment. Scroll down to read more…
A major expansion of the beachfront home
The renovation plans call for a 2,146-square-foot, two-storey addition to the existing 2,359-square-foot main residence. Once completed, the expanded home is expected to offer approximately 4,505 square feet of living space, nearly doubling its original size. The project also includes the demolition of a separate day cottage that previously stood behind the main house. Plans describe additional outdoor improvements, including a swimming pool, an inset spa, a pool deck, a boardwalk and a trellis, alongside landscaping and exterior lighting.The proposed changes would transform the property from a beachfront home with separate living spaces into a substantially larger residence with expanded indoor and outdoor amenities. The couple’s plans also include merging the two plots associated with the property in coordination with the county surveyor’s office.
What happened after the California mudslides?
The redevelopment follows severe storms and flooding that affected parts of California between December 2022 and March 2023. In the Carpinteria area, mudslides and rising waterways left properties surrounded by mud and debris. Photographs published in subsequent real estate reports showed extensive muddy conditions around the couple’s beachfront property, including a nearby waterway that had risen significantly.However, it has not been established publicly whether the flooding caused structural damage to the main residence or directly prompted the renovation. The timing of the project, therefore, does not confirm that the expansion was undertaken as a response to the natural disaster. The couple’s plans involve both alterations to the existing house and the removal of the separate cottage, but the available planning information does not establish that the entire main residence needed to be rebuilt because of flood damage.
The cottage once offered as an Airbnb stay
Before its planned demolition, the day cottage had a separate history as a holiday rental. In 2023, Kutcher and Kunis partnered with Airbnb to offer a one-night stay at the property, giving a guest an opportunity to experience their coastal retreat. The cottage accommodated up to four guests across two bedrooms and featured a small kitchen, living area and outdoor deck.The listing highlighted the property’s proximity to the beach and views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The rental was a limited promotional arrangement rather than an indication that the property served as the couple’s primary home. Their main residence is in Beverly Hills, where they previously built a custom-designed home focused on sustainability and a farmhouse-inspired aesthetic. The cottage’s removal marks a change for the Carpinteria property, which had offered visitors a separate accommodation alongside the main residence.
A coastal property with a rising estimated value
Kutcher and Kunis acquired the Carpinteria property through a limited liability company in 2017 for $10.1 million, according to property records cited in real estate reporting. Realtor dot com later estimated its value at approximately $17 million, although that figure is an estimate rather than a confirmed sale price. The planned renovation is expected to increase the home’s usable space and add substantial outdoor amenities, but its eventual market value will depend on factors including the completed design, local property conditions and buyer demand.For now, the project represents a significant redevelopment of the couple’s California coastal retreat. While the severe flooding provides important context for the property’s recent history, the documented plans focus on expanding the main house, removing the former guest cottage and creating a more extensive outdoor living area.