Luxury Real Estate & Dream Homes · Charlotte Ashford · 29 June 2026

Inside a $38.5 million estate in Irvine's Shady Canyon

Inside a $38.5 million estate in Irvine's Shady Canyon

A $38.5 million hilltop estate at 76 Golden Eagle has returned to market in Irvine's Shady Canyon Golf Club after Chad and Cari Peets invested close to $10 million rebuilding the property following its record-setting 2023 sale. The listing tests whether Orange County's top golf communities can command a new price peak.

Looking inside this $38.5 million estate shows how a multi-year renovation transformed a Mediterranean Revival mansion into one of the most talked-about listings in Southern California luxury real estate. For buyers tracking luxury real estate and dream homes, the deal matters because it follows the city's prior sales benchmark and signals where guarded golf enclaves may price next.

Key Takeaways

Why does this Irvine estate list for $38.5 million now?

According to Robb Report, the residence is vastly different from its former state after the Peets' multi-year project. The over 13,000-square-foot mansion anchors grounds with sweeping hillside and mountain views, positioning it among the largest and most visible offerings in the club.

Local business owners and philanthropists Chad and Cari Peets bought the hilltop property after it sold in 2023 for $23 million, which marked a record sale for the city of Irvine. They then poured close to $10 million into a complete rebuild before relisting at $38.5 million.

What makes Shady Canyon one of Orange County's top golf communities?

Shady Canyon Golf Club is described as one of Orange County's most exclusive enclaves, with captivating rock formations and lush fairways spread across 300 acres in a secluded canyon setting. Its 18-hole Tom Fazio-designed golf course is complemented by a 53,000-square-foot clubhouse.

The guard-gated community has drawn major league baseball stars like Mark McGwire and Albert Pujols, while actress Susan Egan, the voice of Meg in Disney's Hercules, lived in the development. Membership is by invitation and requires sponsorship by a current member, adding to the address's prestige.

What is inside the renovated Golden Eagle mansion?

Press materials cited by Robb Report highlight marble finishes throughout, plus hand-troweled Venetian plaster, artisan wall coverings, and sumptuous millwork. Altogether, the details express a distinctly modern European sensibility across the Mediterranean Revival home.

A games and entertainment room includes a built-in display wall with five television screens, a wet bar, and space for a ping pong table. A theater room and fully equipped gym sit nearby. Outside, illuminated trees and trimmed hedges create a tranquil setting around the rebuilt residence.

Who is marketing the listing and what should buyers watch?

Rob Giem, co-founder of Plus Real Estate, holds the $38.5 million listing. The property's return to market tests whether Irvine can surpass the $23 million benchmark that defined the 2023 transaction.

For the broader Orange County luxury market, the ask reflects how extensively updated golf-club estates are being repriced after major capital improvements. The outcome will be watched as a bellwether for guard-gated sales in 2026.

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