Lars Ulrich, co-founder and drummer of Metallica, owned a 13,000-square-foot hilltop estate at 11 Place Moulin in Tiburon, California that sold for $10.3 million in 2020. Perched above the San Francisco Bay with sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, and Mount Tamalpais, the property became one of Marin County’s most iconic celebrity homes.
For more than 25 years, this gated compound in Tiburon reflected Ulrich’s evolution from thrash metal pioneer to global tastemaker and serious art collector.
Designed with gallery-scale walls to showcase works by artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, and equipped with a professional recording studio, underground sports court, and a striking saltwater aquarium suspended above a bathtub, the estate blended creativity, privacy, and strategic real estate vision.
This was not simply a rock star’s mansion. It was a carefully engineered lifestyle fortress overlooking one of the most valuable coastlines in America.
From El Cerrito Beginnings to Marin County Royalty
Before the hilltop mansion, Ulrich and James Hetfield lived together in a modest house at 3132 Carlson Blvd in El Cerrito, California. That house is often referred to as the early “Metallica Mansion.” It was there that Metallica rehearsed relentlessly and wrote some of their earliest and most influential music. The home was less about luxury and more about ambition.
Fast forward to the 1990s and Ulrich had firmly established himself as a global rock figure. In 1993, he purchased what would become his long-time primary residence at 11 Place Moulin in Tiburon. Over the next 25 years, he transformed it into one of the most distinctive estates in Marin County.
The Tiburon Estate at 11 Place Moulin
The Tiburon mansion spans more than 13,000 square feet across three parcels on a secluded two-acre site. It ranks among the largest private estates in Marin County.
- Approximately 25 rooms
- 6 bedrooms
- 6 full bathrooms
- 3 half bathrooms
- Gated compound at the end of a private cul-de-sac
The home was originally offered quietly as a pocket listing in 2019 for $12 million and ultimately sold in February 2020 for $10.3 million. According to Forbes, the property had served as Ulrich’s primary residence for more than two decades.
Unmatched “Bridge-to-Bridge” Views
What truly set the property apart was its commanding position at the highest peak in Tiburon. From nearly every major room, expansive windows captured 360-degree views of:
- The Golden Gate Bridge
- The Bay Bridge
- The San Francisco skyline
- Alcatraz Island
- Angel Island
- Mount Tamalpais
In Marin County real estate, location is everything. Ulrich understood that early. He purchased two adjacent buildable lots specifically to preserve privacy and prevent future development from blocking those views. That move was strategic and smart. In elite Bay Area markets, control over surrounding land can be just as valuable as the home itself.
Architectural Profile and Interior Design
The estate’s design leaned contemporary but with theatrical elements. The foyer featured marble-washed floors and soaring double-height windows that flooded the space with light. High-angled coffered ceilings and arched doorways added architectural drama.
The interior walls were intentionally expansive. This was not accidental. Ulrich is an avid art collector, and the home functioned as a private gallery. He famously displayed works by contemporary artists including Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose painting “Profit I” once hung in the residence before later going to auction.
This art-centric layout reflected Ulrich’s evolution. He was no longer just a drummer. He had become a serious collector with global taste. The home’s design supported that identity.
Signature Amenities That Defined the Estate
The Tiburon mansion was not merely large. It was customized with features rarely seen even in luxury properties.
The Bathtub Aquarium
The master bathroom included one of the most unusual design elements in celebrity real estate: a large saltwater aquarium positioned directly over the spa bathtub. The installation was dramatic and visually striking. It blurred the line between architecture and art.
Subterranean Sports Court
Below ground level sat a professional-grade basketball and squash court. Building underground preserved the home’s exterior profile while maximizing recreational space. In high-end design, this type of hidden amenity demonstrates both wealth and planning.
Recording Studio and Safe Room
The property featured a fully equipped recording studio that doubled as a secure safe room. For a musician of Ulrich’s stature, this was both practical and symbolic. Creativity and security coexisted in the same space.
Wellness and Entertainment
- Six-person sauna
- Outdoor swimming pool and spa
- Curvaceous stone terraces
- Media room and game room
- Library
- Bar featuring artwork inspired by Metallica’s Black Album
Every detail reinforced the idea that this was not simply a house. It was a self-contained lifestyle compound.
Why Tiburon and Marin County Matter
Tiburon has long attracted executives, artists, and technology leaders who want proximity to San Francisco without sacrificing privacy. Marin County offers natural beauty, ocean air, and a quieter pace while still providing quick access to the city.
Ulrich’s estate leveraged all of that. The property’s elevated position offered sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay, while its gated entrance and cul-de-sac location ensured discretion. For a global rock icon, that balance was essential.
The Sale in 2020
Ulrich sold the estate in February 2020 for $10.3 million. The timing was notable. It occurred just before the broader market shifts that followed later that year. From an investment perspective, selling at that valuation after more than two decades of ownership represented a substantial appreciation.
The transaction marked the end of an era. The Tiburon estate had become synonymous with Ulrich’s identity in the Bay Area.
A Glimpse Into His Global Portfolio
While the Tiburon mansion drew the most attention, Ulrich’s property story extends beyond California. In 2024, reports surfaced that his childhood home in Hellerup, Denmark was listed for approximately $6.85 million. Details were covered by View.com.au.
This international footprint highlights something important. Ulrich’s real estate choices reflect both personal history and global success. From modest beginnings in Denmark to commanding estates overlooking the Golden Gate, the trajectory is unmistakable.
Expert Analysis: What This Home Really Represents
The Tiburon estate was not simply a display of wealth. It was a carefully curated environment that blended privacy, creativity, and long-term investment thinking.
Three factors stand out:
- Strategic land acquisition: Buying adjacent lots protected long-term value.
- Functional luxury: The recording studio and sports court were tailored to lifestyle, not just aesthetics.
- Art-forward design: Interior architecture intentionally supported museum-level pieces.
Many celebrity homes prioritize spectacle over substance. Ulrich’s property achieved both. The bridge-to-bridge views offered spectacle. The privacy strategy and structural customization delivered substance.
The Legacy of the Metallica Mansion
From the early El Cerrito house where Metallica’s sound was forged to the 13,000-square-foot Tiburon compound overlooking the Bay, Lars Ulrich’s homes mirror the band’s growth. They tell a story of ambition, calculated risk, and long-term vision.
The Tiburon estate may have changed hands, but its place in Bay Area real estate lore remains secure. It stands as one of Marin County’s most iconic celebrity properties and a tangible symbol of Metallica’s enduring impact.