70.8 F
Laguna Hills
Friday, May 1, 2026

OC INSIDER: Mac’s Man: Bev Hills Architect Now Stars in OC, Too

Mac’s Man: Bev Hills Architect Now

Stars in OC, Too

OC Insider – Rick Reiff

Aleck Dugally has discovered Orange County. The Bel Air architect, who has built or redone spectacular homes in Beverly Hills for Sly Stallone, Denzel Washington, Martin Lawrence and other Hollywood VIPs, is now doing his first mansions in OC. Dugally-Oberfeld is designing homes for slugger Mark McGwire and retired Angels pitcher Mike Witt in Shady Canyon. It designed ex-Angels pitcher Chuck Finley’s home that is going up in Newport Coast and a home for auto heir Benson Ford Jr. in Dana Point. The Insider hears that Dugally is negotiating with several other “household names” who plan to build here, too. Dugally-Oberfeld principal Matt Dugally (Aleck’s son) said his firm is bullish on Orange County, especially on the soon-to-open Shady Canyon, which he called a magnet for the rich and famous despite its inland location: “The first response is, there’s no water and the second response is, it’s in Irvine. But I say look at the quality of life that’s afforded you, more than at Pelican Hill or Emerald Bay.” Matt said Shady Canyon has “a rec center that’s like being in a Four Seasons Hotel,” a world-class golf course, tennis courts, ultra-high security and very low density. He said in Emerald Bay, $12 million buys a spectacular ocean view,and a neighbor a few feet away; the same money in Shady Canyon gets you three acres of privacy Grassroots movement, Newport Coast style: The Insider recently observed a staked sign at the entrance to Ocean Heights urging, “Vote Now for Guard!” Jim Riordan says in eight years he sold about 3,500 copies of “Islamic Fundamentalism: The New Global Threat.” Then Sept. 11 hit. Riordan contacted author Mohammad Mohaddessin in Paris and gave him a week to write a new introduction and add to the appendix; by mid-October there were 10,000 updated copies at Riordan’s Seven Locks Press in Costa Mesa. Riordan says 8,000 of those have shipped and he’s printing another 5,000: “This is the first time that I have placed a single book in all major trade locations” KK flub by RR: Of course, it’s Kevin Costner Joan Irvine Smith and Irvine Museum director Jean Stern have collaborated with Chapman U on “California: This Golden Land of Promise,” a 493-picture, coffee-table book that includes a foreword from Chapman prez Jim Doti. Copies are $50; call (949) 476-0294.

Want more from the best local business newspaper in the country?

Sign-up for our FREE Daily eNews update to get the latest Orange County news delivered right to your inbox!

Would you like to subscribe to Orange County Business Journal?

One-Year for Only $99

  • Unlimited access to OCBJ.com
  • Daily OCBJ Updates delivered via email each weekday morning
  • Journal issues in both print and digital format
  • The annual Book of Lists: industry of Orange County's leading companies
  • Special Features: OC's Wealthiest, OC 500, Best Places to Work, Charity Event Guide, and many more!

Featured Articles

Related Articles