More than a year after her longtime home in the mountains of Malibu hit the market for a cool $18 million, chef and cookbook author Geraldine Gilliland has finally handed over the keys to a new owner, according to Dirt. Records show the discount buyer is former college and pro basketball player Drederick Irving—probably best known to the public as the father of Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving—who doled out $10.7 million for the place, or around $7.4 million less than the original asking price.
Called “Rancho Chiquita”—and used through the years as a wedding and party venue, as well as a filming site for the TV reality show The Voice and even a nonprofit dog rescue—the 40-acre property was acquired over 20 years ago by Gilliland, owner of Santa Monica’s Lula Cocina Mexicana restaurant, who subsequently expanded her land holdings. Today, the gated compound includes a hacienda-style main house and detached guesthouse, all of it resting on a 225-acre parcel overlooking panoramic ocean and mountain vistas.
As for the main house, the stucco and terracotta-roof structure features more than 6,700 square feet of two-level living space boasting wood-beam ceilings, a mix of Saltillo tile and hardwood floors, arched doorways and clerestory windows throughout. Main-level highlights range from a fireside living room and formal dining room with its own fireplace, to a gourmet kitchen outfitted with granite countertops, an eat-in island with built-in wine storage, high-end stainless appliances, a walk-in pantry and breakfast nook.
All of bedrooms are sequestered in two separate wings of the house—one spotlighted by an ocean-view master retreat, which comes complete 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 kitchenette.
As for the palatial grounds, they host an infinity-edge pool and spa, kitchen and bar setup, and numerous spots ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining—including a lawn area with room for up to 250 guests. Additional amenities include a separate gated service entrance leading to a large motor court and an event-staging area, along with a three-car garage and additional parking for at least 20 vehicles.
