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THE HISTORY
The McCormick House Era
An older structure from the late 1800’s was the first residence on the property now known as 1600 Santa Barbara Street. By 1940 the property had been acquired under the direction of Katherine McCormick who commissioned a brand-new structure on the property. Katherine McCormick had wealth at the time through marriage to Stanley McCormick, an heir to the International Harvester Company fortune. The McCormicks were known for their large Montecito property holdings later to be known as Riven Rock. In her own right prior to her marriage, Katherine McCormick had
become just the 2nd woman to graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1904, with a degree in Biology. Later, Katherine became a noted local philanthropist for the arts, and a national advocate for many social causes. She was largely responsible for the development and growth of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art from the 1940’s to the 1960’s.
The new structure Katherine had built at 1600 Santa Barbara Street in 1940 (the address was then known as 203 East Arrellaga Street), was permitted as a recreational building and used for medical therapeutic purposes related to her husband’s illness. The floorplan layout with several rooms off of central hallways was the result of this intended use. The architect was the well-regarded Chester Carolja who also designed many notable civic buildings of the period, including the Museum of Art building on State Street. In 1948 after her husband’s death, Katherine McCormick had the building converted to a residence, and over the following decade made alterations and additions to the home. All the changes to the residence were also designed by Chester Carolja, and in the same Minimal Traditional architectural style, providing a consistency of design throughout the structure. Katherine McCormick died at the end of 1967 and willed the property to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art for art education purposes.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Ridley-Tree Educational Center Era
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art honored the intentions of Katherine McCormick and worked to establish art education classes at 1600 Santa Barbara Street upon inheriting the property. A formal Conditional Use Permit for this use was approved by the City of Santa Barbara in 1970, and this same use of the property continued into mid-2025. The art education center was relocated into the main Museum of Art building on State Street, allowing the sale of the property.
Over the 56 years of its operation, the art education center served multiple generations of individuals, families and their children, becoming a favorite local cultural touchstone. In the early 1990’s, the property underwent a substantial renovation under the direction of architect Don Nulty. The interiors, foundation and utility systems were upgraded, and much of the landscaping and grounds were re-imagined. Only a few minor exterior changes to the building were made, and those changes continued to respect the Minimal Traditional style. The building was re-named the Ridley-Tree Educational Center in appreciation of the great donations made to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art by Leslie Ridley-Tree, one of Santa Barbara’s most generous modern-era philanthropists.
The Architects
CHESTER CARJOLA
The McCormick House at 1600 Santa Barbara Street is one of the many architectural gems crafted by acclaimed architect Chester Carjola, who helped shape the character of Santa Barbara’s built environment throughout the 20th century. Known for his timeless interpretations of Spanish Colonial Revival and Mediterranean architecture, Carjola blended elegance with regional sensibilities — leaving behind a legacy of enduring structures that continue to inspire.
A protégé of Winsor Soule and a contemporary of Lutah Maria Riggs, Carjola studied at Stanford and the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design, infusing his work with classical balance, artistic detail, and architectural integrity. His fingerprints can be seen on some of the area’s most prominent civic, residential, and commercial buildings.
Notable Carjola projects include:
The Arlington Theatre (1931 renovation, in collaboration with William Edwards)
The Santa Barbara Club
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art (additions and renovations)
The McCormick House (private commission, Upper East, Santa Barbara)
Residential estates in Montecito and Hope Ranch, many of which remain prized architectural landmarks
University buildings at Westmont College
The McCormick House is a striking example of Carjola’s mastery — a 1940s residence that embodies both historical gravitas and livable charm. From its grand ballroom to its finely paneled library and distinctive orange-mantel fireplace, every corner is a testament to refined craftsmanship and architectural vision. It stands not just as a home, but as a part of
Santa Barbara’s cultural heritage.
DON NULTY
In the early 1990’s, the property underwent a substantial renovation under the direction of architect Don Nulty, AIA, a Santa Barbara–based architect well known for his work on historic properties and high-end residential design throughout Montecito and the Central Coast. Nulty is recognized for blending classical architectural elements with modern livability, often emphasizing respect for original structures while enhancing them for contemporary use. Under his guidance, the interiors, foundation, and utility systems were carefully upgraded, while much of the landscaping and grounds were re-imagined to better complement the estate’s setting. Only a few minor exterior changes to the building were made, and those alterations were executed in keeping with the home’s Minimal Traditional style. Following these improvements, the building was re-named the Ridley-Tree Educational Center in appreciation of the significant donations made by the Ridley-Tree family, whose philanthropy has long enriched Santa Barbara’s cultural institutions.
Notable Nulty projects include:
942 Hot Springs Road, Montecito – Luxury retreat designed by Don Nulty (2016), sold for $18M, known for its seamless blend of formal entertaining spaces and intimate family living.
1590 East Mountain Drive, Montecito – Mediterranean-style estate (2005), sold for $27M, featuring Venetian plaster, vaulted ceilings, courtyards, and sweeping ocean views.
Picacho Lane Estate (Rob Lowe / Adam Levine Residence) – Georgian-inspired estate completed in 2009 in collaboration with Don Nulty, later owned by Rob Lowe, then Adam Levine & Behati Prinsloo, listed at $65M.
El Cielito, Montecito – Restoration of a George Washington Smith estate; Nulty’s sensitive updates included system upgrades and new gallery spaces that harmonized with the original Spanish Colonial style.
Isenberg House, Montecito – Additions and alterations (1995–96), with detailed floor plans and elevations archived by UC.
1946 East Valley Road, Montecito – Mediterranean residence designed by Don Nulty, AIA, showcasing limestone, hardwood, and French door connections to the gardens.
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