When the private, 2,000-acre Carmel sanctuary known as Tehama was envisioned in the 1990s, years were spent scouting its ridges, meticulously surveying the terrain to minimize man's footprint. One singular parcel was earmarked as the absolute finest lot in the entire valley: a 10-acre crest known as The Summit. The site, explains longtime Carmel-by-the-Sea real estate veteran Tim Allen, "takes in 360-degree views of Carmel Bay, Point Lobos, and the Santa Lucia Mountains."
The vision that originally guided Tehama's master-planned ethos decades ago helped set the standard that has now been fully realized on The Summit. Conceived by San Anselmo-based firm Wade Design Architects and built by Seattle-based Dowbuilt, the newly completed 2026 architectural masterpiece was recently brought to market for $32 million by Allen himself. Standing at just over 6,200 total square feet and set behind Tehama's gated security, the estate represents "a rare convergence of authenticity, artistry, and serenity," says Allen. The property encompasses a 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath main residence, a 1-bedroom casita, and a wellness center, offering a complete, transportive retreat.
Organic Architecture Meets Craftsman Heritage
Approaching the main house, one immediately encounters the first of many harmonious contradictions that define the home's design language.
Here, high-performance modern engineering converges with the preserved coastal landscape in a stripped-down interpretation of a classic regional barnhouse. The exterior facade presents an authentically rustic, elemental profile clad in weathered barnwood siding, massive reclaimed bridge timbers, and rugged native stone. But rather than feeling purely historical, these earthy textures are brought into sharp modern focus by sleek Jada thermal steel doors and glass walls, establishing a grounded presence that carries through to the interiors.
Smooth plaster walls and wide-plank Northern hardwood floors extend throughout the residence. Overhead, structural reclaimed beams bring warmth to the expansive interiors. At the center of the great room, a majestic fireplace by Formations serves as a sculptural focal point, anchored nearby by a custom steel and oak display installation and a statement chandelier commissioned from the Netherlands.
The home transitions fluidly from grand gathering areas to more intimate spaces. For example, a dedicated cocktail room features a quartzite bar for evening entertaining. Nearby, the powder room offers an artistic surprise: a vessel sink fashioned from an antique Roman stone planter.
The home relies heavily on large-format stone slabs in the kitchen and bath suites, allowing the dramatic movement of marble and quartzite to dictate the rooms' artistic weight.
In the main kitchen, seamless Lilac Marble slabs pair with custom step-in cabinetry fitted with solid brass inserts and integrated sliding marble spice racks. Over the central island, light fixtures by Urban Electric cast a warm glow over custom Dornbracht brass faucets and Waterworks unlacquered brass hardware. A walk-in pantry boasts a custom soapstone canning sink illuminated by a pendant light from Roman and Williams Guild. "The design and craftsmanship are simply outstanding," notes Allen.
Designed with ultimate privacy in mind, the estate features a primary suite that acts as its own secluded wing, wrapped floor-to-ceiling in rich Blue Crystallo quartzite surrounding a custom vanity.
Steps away, a separate one-bedroom guest house mirrors the main home's plaster finish and architectural detail, featuring a Quebec Cristallo quartzite shower and custom trumeau mirrors.
Next-Level Wellness Compound
Beyond the living quarters lies a health and performance facility inspired by elite athletic training setups. Outdoors, a purpose-built aquatic fitness pool features integrated steps and varying depth zones tailored for low-impact conditioning, resistance work, and breathwork. The interior wellness wing opens to a dedicated yoga room and a separate, fully equipped gym. For specialized movement practice, a heated cardio studio comes outfitted with Tracy Anderson Cardio Fly sprung floors. The thermal circuit rounds out the space: a clear-grain oak sauna equipped with dual Humm heaters, a custom steam room, a cold plunge, and a dedicated wet bar with soapstone counters and open soapstone shelving. All of this leads out to a secluded fire lounge ideal for post-workout recovery under the night sky.
Connecting to the Carmel Community
Despite being "surrounded by sunshine and tranquility," notes Allen, the property remains remarkably accessible. The estate sits just minutes from the boutique galleries, fine dining, and coastal romance of downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. Just down the ridge, Tehama's Jay Morrish–designed championship golf course, private tennis courts, and farm-to-table dining offer opportunities for social connection in a casually refined, yet unpretentious atmosphere that is entirely by design.
"This chill vibe is, without question, a top-down phenomenon," observed Eric O'Keefe in a 2019 feature for The Land Report. "It imbues Tehama and its members and the staff with a casual confidence and an absence of attitude that makes this invitation-only golf club the ultimate anti-club."
That low-key reverence extends directly to how the land itself was originally preserved. Endeavoring to celebrate Tehama by being mindful of preserving the natural landscape, the community's founders purposefully set aside over 85 percent of its 2,040 acres as untouched open space, ensuring this coastal escape remains uncompromised in perpetuity, anchored by a simple, enduring promise to the valley: "This won't change. Ever."
View the complete listing by Tim Allen of Coldwell Banker Realty, Carmel-by-the-Sea.
