This $6 Million Southwestern-Style Estate in Central California Has a Helipad for Your Chopper

Fresno, California, or, more specifically, the census-designated place known as Friant, may not be the first place that comes to mind when you envision multimillion-dollar living, but for one couple it was just the ticket.

Back in the 1990s, the local pair saw great potential in this Central California property, trading their home at the time plus $100,000 to make it their own. Instead of tearing down the original home that stood on the 6.4-acre rural property, they donated it to the local fire department and SWAT team for training exercises. And, during the process of building up the more than 6,000-square-foot compound, they lived in a tiny guest house with their pets.

What they ended up with is a highly personalized abode modeled on the Southwestern-style architecture they saw admired during trips to New Mexico and Arizona. The six-bedroom, five-bath complex is now on the market for $6 million, with Sarah Hedrick at Realty Concepts holding the listing.

To achieve an authentic Santa Fe style, the house was built with hand-troweled plaster walls, and Saltillo floor tile is found throughout the home, from the high-ceilinged living room to the bathrooms. The chef’s kitchen sports travertine countertops, dual copper sinks, and not just one but two pantries. There’s a mini wine fridge here too, but you’ll want to store most of your vino in the 1,600-bottle wine cellar, which is accessible by elevator and has a tasting room, to boot.

The primary bedroom, meanwhile, has its own gas fireplace—one of five throughout the property. The closets here are lined with cedar, and the ensuite bathroom includes a jetted tub as well as a sauna/steam shower. Friends or family members can make use of the two separate guest houses.

Outside, the owners have created a resort-style paradise, complete with a built-in barbecue and outdoor fireplace for alfresco dining. The pool is accompanied by a mosaic-tiled hot tub, and there are ample options for sports enthusiasts. The court complex encompasses tennis, pickleball, and basketball, and there’s a putting green for perfecting your stroke. Gearheads can keep up to 14 cars in the massive garage, and if you’re planning to arrive via helicopter—because why not?—a helipad is found on the grounds for your convenience.

While the Southwestern-inspired residence is perhaps one-of-a-kind in its Central California setting, Fresno and its surrounding towns are steeped in agricultural history. Among the area’s most interesting properties is a grand, 1910 Colonial Revival in nearby Del Rey that hit the market earlier this year for $4 million.