High on the southern slopes of Camelback Mountain, an extraordinary 23.66-acre estate – long known in the community as the “Merry Christmas House” – is stepping into the spotlight for the first time in more than 70 years and is on the market for $24M.
With more than 180 degrees of panoramic views in front and Camelback’s cliffs rising behind, the property is one of the last and most significant buildable parcels left on this iconic peak. Held by the same family for decades, it now opens the door for a new owner to shape its next remarkable era.
The estate’s vast acreage offers a blend of natural beauty, architectural legacy, and development potential. Thanks to its size and topography, the land can be subdivided into as many as four parcels, creating space for multiple estates, a generational family compound, or a reimagined version of the existing home.
To help spark ideas, conceptual floor plans and site designs by renowned architect Mark Candelaria are available for those who want to explore the possibilities.
Privately gated and wrapped in pristine desert landscape, the property feels worlds away, despite being minutes from the city. Its unique position on a flat saddle high above the valley provides unmatched seclusion; so much so that no other home on Camelback Mountain has a line of sight to the estate from above.
The site’s history runs deep. Known as Journeys End Estate, or JEE, the home was originally built in the 1950s and is believed to be one of the earliest residences constructed on Camelback.
Its location was chosen for its views, solitude, and natural harmony with the land. Long before that, the mountain held spiritual significance for the Indigenous Hohokam people, who lived in the region until the 1400s and viewed Camelback as a sacred site.
The existing 4,661-square-foot home, built in the early 1970s, reflects Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural influences. Its design blends with the mountain, even incorporating natural granite into the master bath. Later remodeled by architect Earle Florence, the house showcases sweeping views of the Phoenix skyline and the southern metro valley.
It hosted decades of memorable family celebrations, and although a future owner may choose to build anew, the home’s spirit of togetherness lingers in its walls.For neighbors across the valley, the estate holds an especially warm seasonal connection.
Every December, the owners display a large “Merry Christmas” sign, followed by “Happy New Year” on January 1, that can be seen from miles away. It’s a tradition that has delighted the community for decades, and the sign conveys with the property, ready for its next steward to continue the beloved custom. With its storied past, iconic location, and unmatched potential, Journeys End Estate represents a chance to create something truly extraordinary atop one of Arizona’s most treasured mountain peaks. Learn more at retsy.com.
