Jony Ive, the legendary designer behind Apple’s most iconic products, has made waves in the real estate world with his stunning $17 million home in San Francisco. This architectural marvel, nestled in the city’s prestigious “Gold Coast” neighborhood, showcases Ive’s impeccable taste and eye for design. But there’s more to this story than just a beautiful house. Let’s dive into the world of Jony Ive and explore the place he calls home. If you’re interested in learning about Tyler Perry House be sure to check out this article.
Who is Jony Ive?
Sir Jonathan Paul Ive, commonly known as Jony Ive, is a British-American designer born on February 27, 1967. He rose to worldwide fame during his nearly three-decade career at Apple Inc., where he served as Senior Vice President of Industrial Design and later as Chief Design Officer until his departure in July 2019. His design philosophy, which emphasizes simplicity, elegance, and usability, transformed Apple’s product lineup and helped establish the company as a global technology leader.
Ive’s net worth currently stands at an impressive $2 billion, having grown substantially from $100 million in 2012. While at Apple, his salary and stock options helped him amass at least $500 million by the time he left the company. His wealth recently doubled after selling his company, io, to OpenAI for $6.5 billion in May 2025. This deal united two prominent names in tech – Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman – who plan to create a “new family of products” for artificial intelligence.
As for his automotive collection, Ive has been linked to several luxury vehicles that reflect his appreciation for design excellence. His collection reportedly includes multiple Aston Martins (DB4, DB9, and Vanquish), two Bentley Brooklands (one white and one black, each costing about $115,000), a Land Rover LR3, and a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. These vehicles showcase his preference for British manufacturers known for their innovative manufacturing techniques and elegant designs.
Detail | Information |
---|---|
Full Name | Sir Jonathan Paul Ive |
Born | February 27, 1967 |
Nationality | British-American |
Occupation | Designer, Founder of LoveFrom and io |
Known For | Apple product design (iPhone, iPad, iPod, iMac) |
Net Worth | $2 billion (as of May 2025) |
Current Residence | San Francisco, California |
Notable Cars | Aston Martin DB4, DB9, Vanquish; Bentley Brooklands; Land Rover LR3; Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud |
Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE), Royal Designer for Industry (RDI), Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (HonFREng) |
Where Does Jony Ive Live Now?
Jony Ive currently lives in San Francisco, California, where he has established deep roots both personally and professionally. After leaving Apple in 2019, Ive founded his creative collective called LoveFrom and has been building his presence in the city’s Jackson Square neighborhood. While his primary residence remains the mansion on San Francisco’s Gold Coast that he purchased in 2012, Ive has been investing heavily in commercial real estate in Jackson Square, creating what locals now call the “Ive Hive”.
Since 2020, Ive has spent over $127.6 million acquiring nearly an entire city block in Jackson Square, including buildings at 809 Montgomery ($8.5 million), 112 Columbus and 831 Montgomery ($27 million combined), 807 Montgomery and portions of 845 Montgomery ($42.1 million combined), and the Little Fox Theatre at 535 Pacific Avenue ($60 million). These properties now serve as headquarters for his design firms and creative ventures.
Jony Ive House
Jony Ive’s San Francisco home is a magnificent five-level brick mansion located in the exclusive “Gold Coast” area of Pacific Heights. Unlike the sleek, minimalist designs he created for Apple products, Ive’s personal residence embraces classic architecture with its traditional brick exterior and period details. The house was designed by the architectural firm Willis Polk & Co. and was completed in 1927, making it one of San Francisco’s most historically significant properties.
When Ive purchased the home in 2012, he secured quite a deal, paying $17 million for a property that was originally listed at $25 million. The mansion spans an impressive 7,274 square feet and features stunning views of the San Francisco Bay, including vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Russian Hill.
1. Where Is Jony Ive’s House?
Jony Ive’s house is located in the prestigious Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, specifically in an area known as the “Gold Coast” or “Billionaire’s Row”. This exclusive enclave is home to some of the city’s most expensive and historically significant properties. The neighborhood sits on a hill that provides spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay and its landmarks.
Pacific Heights is known for its grand mansions, tree-lined streets, and proximity to parks and upscale shopping areas. The Gold Coast section is particularly exclusive, with homes rarely coming on the market and often selling for tens of millions of dollars. Ive’s residence is nestled among other architecturally significant homes in this coveted area, offering both privacy and prestige.
2. Features of Jony Ive House
The architectural style of Ive’s house stands in stark contrast to the minimalist aesthetic he championed at Apple. Designed by Willis Polk & Co., a renowned local architectural firm, the home features a classic brick facade, a slate roof, and a deep portico entry that speaks to its 1920s heritage. The five-level structure is wrapped in traditional styling that has been meticulously maintained over the decades.
Inside, the home spans 7,274 square feet and includes formal rooms on the main floor, an expansive gourmet kitchen on the lower level, a bottom-ground apartment, and two additional levels of bedrooms above. The house features high ceilings throughout, hardwood flooring, and original architectural details that have been preserved.
According to property records, the mansion has four to six bedrooms (reports vary) and between 7.5 and 8 bathrooms. The master bedroom suite is strategically positioned at the front of the home to maximize natural sunlight, while other bedroom suites are equally light-filled and spacious.
3. Personal House Touches
While we don’t have specific details about changes Ive made after purchasing the home, it’s safe to assume he’s put his design expertise to good use. Knowing Ive’s style and his work at Apple, we can imagine he might have incorporated:
- A state-of-the-art home automation system, allowing control of lighting, temperature, and security from a smartphone or tablet.
- Custom-designed furniture pieces that blend seamlessly with the home’s historical features.
- A high-tech home office setup, possibly with the latest in video conferencing technology.
- Minimalist decor that complements the home’s classical architecture without overwhelming it.
- Energy-efficient upgrades to modernize the 1927 structure while maintaining its historical integrity.
4. House Amenities
Ive’s San Francisco mansion is packed with luxurious amenities:
- Four bedrooms
- 7.5 bathrooms
- Oak-paneled library
- Six wood-burning fireplaces
- Sweeping views of San Francisco Bay
- Fitness room (convertible to a bedroom suite)
- Staff apartment with two bedrooms
- Multiple kitchenettes throughout the home
- Walk-in closets
- Bay windows
- Cathedral ceilings with exposed beams
- Hidden wet bar with pewter sink
5. Neighborhood Area
Pacific Heights, where Ive’s house is located, is one of San Francisco’s most prestigious neighborhoods. It’s known for its stunning views, thanks to its elevated position. From Ive’s house, you can see panoramic vistas of the San Francisco Bay, the Presidio, and even the Golden Gate Bridge on a clear day.
The neighborhood is also famous for its architecture. Walking down the streets of Pacific Heights is like taking a tour through San Francisco’s architectural history. You’ll see everything from Victorian mansions to Art Deco apartment buildings to ultra-modern designs.
Despite its upscale nature, Pacific Heights has a warm, community feel. It’s home to some of San Francisco’s most beautiful parks, like Alta Plaza Park and Lafayette Park. These green spaces offer residents a place to relax, exercise, or enjoy a picnic with stunning city views.
The area is also known for its excellent schools, both public and private, making it a popular choice for families. And while it feels like a quiet residential oasis, it’s just a short trip to the bustling downtown area and other popular San Francisco neighborhoods.
Market Value
Detail | Information |
---|---|
Build Year | 1927 |
Purchase Year | 2012 |
Purchase Value | $17 million |
Original Listing Price | $25 million |
Current Estimated Value | $30-35 million (based on San Francisco luxury market appreciation) |
Jony Ive’s Real Estate Portfolio
While Ive’s San Francisco mansion is his primary residence, it’s not his only property. Here’s what we know about his other homes:
- Cotswolds House, UK: Ive owns a house in the Cotswolds, a picturesque area in south central England known for its rolling hills and traditional stone villages. This property likely serves as his UK base when he’s visiting his home country.
- Beach House in Kauai, Hawaii: Ive and his family also own a beach house on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. This tropical getaway provides a perfect contrast to his urban San Francisco home and rural Cotswolds property.
- Jackson Square Properties, San Francisco: In recent years, Ive has been quietly building a real estate empire in San Francisco’s Jackson Square neighborhood. Through his company LoveFrom, he has acquired several properties in the area, including:
- 809 Montgomery St (purchased in 2020 for $8.5 million)
- 112 Columbus Ave and 831 Montgomery St (purchased in 2021 for $27 million total)
- 807 Montgomery St and portions of 845 Montgomery St (purchased in 2023 for $42.1 million total)
- The Little Fox Theatre at 535 Pacific Ave (purchased in 2024 for $60 million)
These properties are part of what some are calling the “Ive Hive,” a growing collection of buildings that Ive is transforming into a creative hub for his design firm and potentially other innovative projects.
Conclusion
Jony Ive’s $17 million San Francisco house reflects a different side of the design genius known for creating sleek, minimalist Apple products. His traditional brick mansion in Pacific Heights, with its historic architecture and stunning bay views, shows his appreciation for classic design and craftsmanship. As Ive builds his post-Apple empire through LoveFrom and his new venture with OpenAI, his real estate investments in both residential and commercial properties demonstrate his long-term commitment to San Francisco and his vision for creating inspiring spaces for creativity and innovation.
For the latest updates on Jony Ive’s stunning San Francisco mansion and other celebrity homes, visit housingmarketnews, where we bring you the most exciting real estate stories in simple, easy-to-understand language.
FAQs
What did Jonathan Ive do for Apple?
Jonathan Ive, commonly known as Jony Ive, played a pivotal role at Apple for nearly three decades. He joined the company in September 1992 and eventually rose to become Senior Vice President of Industrial Design and later Chief Design Officer. Ive was the creative force behind Apple’s most iconic products, including the iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and Apple Watch
Working closely with Steve Jobs after his return to Apple in 1996, Ive helped rescue the company from near-bankruptcy with the design of the translucent, bulbous iMac in 1998, which became the fastest-selling desktop of its time. Jobs considered Ive so crucial to Apple’s success that he once stated, “He’s not just a designer. He has more operational power than anyone at Apple, except me”.
Beyond product design, Ive was responsible for establishing Apple’s minimalist design language and aesthetic that continues to define the brand today. He also oversaw the design of major architectural projects including Apple Park (the company’s headquarters) and Apple Stores worldwide
Who was the designer of the first iPhone?
Jony Ive was the principal designer of the first iPhone. As Apple’s design chief, he played a vital role in creating the iPhone’s form factor and was instrumental in its development The iPhone project, which began in 2004 under the highly confidential codename “Project Purple,” involved Ive working alongside hardware engineer Tony Fadell and software engineer Scott Forstall at Steve Jobs’ request
While Jobs was the visionary who pushed for a touch-screen device and made key decisions about the product’s direction, it was Ive who translated these ideas into the physical design that would revolutionize the mobile phone industry. The iPhone’s form factor, with its nearly all-screen design (similar in concept to Apple’s earlier Newton MessagePad), is credited to Ive When the iPhone was finally introduced on January 9, 2007, Ive was the first person to make a public phone call with the device after Jobs unveiled it
What happened to Jony Ive?
After 27 years at Apple, Jony Ive left the company in July 2019 to start his own design firm called LoveFrom. Initially, Apple signed a multiyear contract with Ive valued at more than $100 million, making Apple his firm’s primary client. However, this arrangement ended in July 2022 when both parties agreed not to extend the contract, giving Ive the freedom to take on clients without needing Apple’s clearance.
Since leaving Apple, Ive has been building his creative empire through LoveFrom, working with clients including Airbnb, Ferrari, Christie’s, and Moncler He has also been quietly investing in real estate in San Francisco’s Jackson Square neighborhood, spending nearly $90 million to acquire multiple buildings on a single city block during the pandemic
Most recently, in May 2025, Ive made headlines by selling his AI devices startup, io, to OpenAI for $6.5 billion The company, which Ive co-founded in 2023 with former Apple executives Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey, and Tang Tan, aims to create AI-native hardware devices that move beyond the smartphone format. As part of this deal, Ive has taken on significant creative and design responsibilities at OpenAI, where he will help develop a “family of devices” specifically for AI applications