Orange County’s flawless summer days invite relaxation, and some of its luxury backyards boast features on par with five-star resorts, begging the question: “Why would anyone need to leave home to go on vacation?”
“Outdoor living space has always been coveted in Southern California, but it seems as if in 2016 we are knocking it out of the park,” says luxury real estate professional Summer Perry of Surterre Properties. “One of my favorite backyard spaces that offers it all is 1952 Windward in Newport Beach. My favorite part is seeing it come to life at night with glowing fire bowls sitting atop the waterfall-edge pool perimeter.”
The home’s backyard includes an 80-inch TV with built-in surround-sound speakers, a Cape Cod pergola with recessed heat lamps, and a pour-in-place concrete countertop surrounding the Wolf barbecue. “Even the trendy vegetable garden is pretty awesome,” Perry says.
Tara Shapiro of HÔM Sotheby’s International Realty points to a rooftop terrace setting in Newport Beach as one of the most fabulous outdoor areas she has ever seen. The 2,000-square-foot space has a swimming pool and spa, a fireplace, and a wet bar, along with several seating areas. “And it’s on the oceanfront,” she adds. “It has panoramic 360 views up and down the coastline, the hills, city lights and mountains beyond. It is remarkable.”
Sleek water walls are a popular trend this year, according to the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. Swimming pool styles also are changing, and beach entries are in demand, as are sunken patios, or modular patios areas complete with furniture and fire pits that are built directly into the pool, surrounded by water but completely dry themselves.
Hamptons-Like Home
The home at 21 Bay Island in Newport Beach, surrounded by beaches, is intended to evoke the feel of the Hamptons. It sold on May 16 for $7.6 million. Its April list price was $8.3 million.
It was designed by the late Newport Beach architect Kurt Donat and completed by Newport Beach master builder Neil Longman in 2001. The four-bedroom, five-bath, 4,395-square-foot home is one of 23 in the gated enclave of Bay Island Club, which is in the middle of Newport Harbor.
Its living room opens to a terrace and bayside gardens. The second floor includes a bayside master suite, two guest rooms, and a den with bay views. The top floor is an open treehouse great room with windows opening to catch the bay views.
Steve Sutherlen of Villa Real Estate was the listing agent, and Johnny Klichan of Newport Real Estate Co. represented the buyer.
No Expense Spared
The five-bedroom, six-bath Laguna Beach home at 915 Emerald Bay sold on May 31 for $6.7 million. Its March list price was $6.9 million.
The 3,000-square-foot home was designed by Corona del Mar architect Scott Laidlaw and built in 2014.
Ocean views are framed by Euroline steel windows throughout. The home boasts French-imported oak floors, 100-year-old rough-sawn hardwood beam accented ceilings, a Borghese Calcutta marble kitchen island, gourmet chef’s kitchen, custom cabinetry throughout, and an antique fireplace.
It’s also a smart home complete with a Crestron system that controls dual climate zones, lighting elements, a surround-sound system, water feature and electronic shades, all at the touch of a button.
The property includes a Sundance Spa sunken Jacuzzi and a putting green.
The transaction was represented on the seller’s side by AJ Olson Whitfield of Villa Real Estate and by Susan Weir of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices on the buyer’s.
Customized Beauty
The six-bedroom, eight-bath home at 31821 Monarch Crest in Laguna Niguel was represented by listing agent Shauna Covington of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and buyer’s agent H. Laurie Sanjabi of Realty Network. The ocean- and coastline-view custom home in the Monarch Pointe community sold on June 6 for $6.3 million.
The residence spans 7,796 square feet and has a gated driveway. It features a gourmet kitchen that opens to the living room with panoramic ocean views. Other highlights include Viking appliances, custom counters, a kitchen island, breakfast bar, game room, office, movie room, and an oversized nine-car garage.
