As Los Angeles prepares to host a public memorial for Kobe Bryant and eight other lives lost last month from a helicopter crash, Orange County continues to remember the late basketball legend, particularly in Newport Beach, where Bryant was a longtime resident and community staple.
A memorial erected outside the gated Pelican Crest community in Newport Coast—home to Bryant and his family—has grown steadily with contributions from fans, residents and other locals.
In the Newport Beach community of Corona del Mar, Aerie, an under-development, seven-villa luxury project, has installed purple and gold lights in honor of Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, who also died on Jan. 26.
Irvine-based Advanced Real Estate Services is developing the 51,124-square-foot condo complex. Local architect Brion Jeannette designed the project, slated to wrap construction by year-end.
“Kobe has been a fixture in Newport Beach for many years, and many here knew him,” said Paul Julian, ARES vice president.
“We thought it was important to pay tribute in any way we could.”
Five on a Side
Julian said home sales for the development have been strong; two homes remain.
Sources indicate pricing between $15 million to $30 million for the homes, sized from 3,000 to 6,500 square feet and on a bluff overlooking the entrance to Newport Beach harbor.
A public memorial for Bryant will be held in Los Angeles on Feb. 24 at Staples Center; a previous memorial was held at Angel Stadium in Anaheim for baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and their daughter Alyssa, who were also killed in the crash.
