Home tour: A majestic Gothic Revival castle in California inspired by ‘Game of Thrones’

Jordan, a Peruvian-born immigrant who moved to the States with his family as a child, began his search for the perfect location for his dream home in 2016, embarking on an eight-year journey to build a home that would pull together his Peruvian roots and Portuguese family heritage.

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Inspired by his travels in Europe, a bit of Game of Thrones, and a core childhood memory when he stayed in a “super basic ‘castle hotel’ in Orlando,” Jordan elaborates on his love for centuries-old castles: “They represent strength and power, and they always held secrets–things that happened in the shadows of castles, down dark hallways and tunnels.”

“They brought in my love and fascination for politics and intrigue, which Game of Thrones further deepened,” he continues. “This all combined into a vision for my future home, blending my love for castles with entertaining, full of secrets and intrigue.”

Structurally, Jordan wanted a property with multiple ways to get to different places, where guests could walk around and explore.

“I envisioned a space people could get lost in–and they do,” he explains. “Before discussing traditional elements like bedrooms, I gave the architects a few unusual requests: a soundproof ballroom, multiple tunnels, secret passageways, and Gothic design–incorporating all of my favourite parts of exploring European castles into my home: strength, timeless design, secrets, and discovery.”

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For an ambitious project such as this, the selection process for the design team was meticulous. Driven by his clear vision for authenticity, he chose IS Architecture, renowned in San Diego for historic projects, for the architectural work. 

“Ione Stiegler at IS Architecture taught me a lot about castle architecture,” Jordan recalls. “We studied a castle in Ireland and replicated its stone pattern with a 15-piece design. We sourced limestone from Europe and worked with Portuguese quarries and stone carvers.”

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Hill Construction Company was selected for the build, with the president Ryan Hill providing crucial guidance through the complex process. 

“I really appreciated that Ryan took me on a tour of different projects not just to show me their experience, but to talk to me about cost differences and show me the kinds of decisions that affected building costs long before any architectural plans or designs were finalised,” the homeowner adds.

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For interiors, Jordan took an unconventional approach and chose Basile Studio based on his admiration for so many of their restaurant designs.

“There was rarely a home I walked into that made me say ‘this is what I want,’ but there were a ton of new, cool restaurants that often did make me say that,” he reminisces. “I knew that this way they would prioritise what I prioritised, and would focus on creating experiences within my home, rather than just helping with furniture selections.”

To enhance the authenticity of the design, specific, high-quality materials were sourced from around the world to tell the story–beginning with the quest for the perfect stone for the façade cladding of The Castle.

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After considering over 20 different types of limestone with Unique Stone Imports, the search culminated in the selection of Nova Blue limestone from Portugal–a choice that perfectly captured the desired Gothic ambiance. Moreover, all the cleft face cladding and architectural elements of the main castle were expertly quarried and fabricated in Portugal by a fourth-generation stonemason family.

Besides that, the Parisian cobbles, originally from the Saint-Lazare train station opened in 1837, add to the historical richness. Aged between 200 and 300 years, they were sourced from the old streets in Roubaix, Lille, and Tourcoing, while the driveway cobbles, approximately a century old, came from central France.

Stepping into the courtyard feels like entering another era–one where the line between fantasy and reality dissolves entirely.

A Portuguese millwheel, dating back as far as 300 years, serves as an eye-catching focal point, while a 350-year-old wishing well from a palace in Sintra, Portugal, further grounds the property with a deep connection to the past.

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Amongst two 200-year-old Portuguese limestone troughs and a 100-year-old French granite trough, a white chapel sits clad in immaculate white Bianco limestone quarried and carved in the mountains of Northern Italy, crafted by another long-standing family business to ensure unparalleled quality and authenticity.

Complete with a confessional booth that feels like a genuine nod to the past, the chapel evokes the spirit of traditional Gothic churches with flying buttresses, and a refurbished chapel door–highlighting time-honoured craftsmanship.

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This meticulous attention to detail extends throughout the opulent residence, where over 2,500 unique components were crafted to the exact specifications provided by the IS architectural team and Hill Construction.

Luxury materials were chosen to evoke the grittiness of the medieval era while ensuring the space remains inviting and comfortable. For example, the aged patina of brass reflects the passage of time, while leather and marble add richness and sophistication.

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Entry is gained through refurbished vintage doors that lead into the voluminous entry hall, where impressive arched ceilings and detailed plaster work set a captivating tone for the rest of the home.

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In the living room, the grand fireplace is crafted from stone imported from international quarries, adding a rich, aesthetic layer to the space that also connects the home to its medieval inspirations.

Meanwhile, in the dining room, Gothic-inspired finishes and thoughtfully designed lighting strike a balance between grandeur and intimacy, making it perfect for gatherings with family and friends.

Finally, the castle’s basement is where the worlds of fantasy and luxury intertwine–an unexpected subterranean retreat where imagination takes flight through a series of enchanting experiences that contrast with the historical and medieval authenticity above.

Descending through a cloistered staircase, the secret pathway with enclosing stone walls leads to an antechamber adorned with tufted velvet walls and rich wallpaper, setting the tone for the pièce de résistance that awaits: a two-storey vaulted nightclub.

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This cavernous space, which serves as “a modernised, underground version of a Victorian ballroom turned nightclub,” boasts a performance stage, a state-of-the-art DJ booth, VIP balcony seating.

“It’s becoming a legendary party space, which is exactly what I hoped for,” Jordan beams. “At a typical party, people move between the courtyard, entry lounge, ballroom, and mezzanine, so it feels like there are four parties happening at once.”

The underground nightclub is also furnished with a pipe organ bar, aptly named “The Organ Bar.” 

“It combines the grandeur of a traditional pipe organ with the opulence of a luxury home bar, creating a statement piece that really draws attention–merging medieval inspiration with modern functionality,” notes Basile Studio.

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Accessible through a hidden stone door, lies a secret bar that pays homage to the Jordan’s Peruvian heritage. A descriptive wall mural of Machu Picchu captures the essence of Peru, while the back bar features a sculptural door inspired by the decorative hilt of Peruvian Tumi knives with Inca elements.

Furthermore, the Tumi-inspired door conceals yet another secret–a hidden liquor rack that doubles as an entrance to a private grotto spa area, offering a tranquil oasis that juxtaposes the lively nightclub beyond.

“The hidden bar–inspired by Indiana Jones, vintage National Geographic, and the show that I was obsessed with, Legends of the Hidden Temple–is especially meaningful to me,” the homeowner shares. “It’s one of many rooms that transports you to another world, blending fantasy with tasteful, elevated design.”

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With hidden passages throughout the property, the basement fantasy world is also connected to the swim-up pool bar at the back of the residence.

Looking ahead, Jordan speaks of the Castle Ferreira Foundation, which is in its final stages of establishment to support arts, music, and culture, especially within the LGBTQ community. The homeowner hopes that The Castle can serve as a platform for new musicians, and a place where artists can connect with fans.

“Charity events are a great way to give people the chance to experience the Castle,” he concludes. “We held our first fundraiser for a local theatre recently, and I look forward to doing more in the future.”

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