The highest residential sale in Orange County so far this year closed escrow in Laguna Beach.
The 5,500-square-foot Spanish hacienda-style home at 2471 Riviera Drive, listed at $29.5 million, sold for $23 million after 10 months on the market.
The sellers were represented by listing agents Natalie Raney, Steve High and Evan Corkett, all from Villa Real Estate. High and Corkett also represented the buyer in the transaction.
The home is nestled on a 0.73-acre beachfront lot and has four bedrooms and 5 ½ baths. It’s one of only five residences on the beach in Irvine Cove.
“This was a highly desirable and rare listing,” Raney said. “It has 123 feet of ocean frontage, lush gardens, private steps to the beach, and spectacular views of the beach and Catalina.”
There are currently 27 homes listed above $20 million in Orange County, including President Richard Nixon’s former San Clemente beachfront estate, which is priced at $75 million. Two of the beachfront homes in Irvine Cove are also on the market: the 24,000-square-foot, Getty Villa-inspired estate at 2585 Riviera Drive, listed at $60 million, and the 10,000-square-foot, Mediterranean Revival-style residence at 2431 Riviera Drive, which is being marketed at $51 million.
Luxury home sales above $4 million have been solid this summer, with 24 sales in July.
Recent transactions include:
Shell Beach Beauty
The estate at 19 Shell Beach in Newport Coast’s Crystal Cove sold on July 31 for $17.5 million, under its October list price of $20 million.
The six-bedroom, nine-bath home is on a 0.46-acre lot that offers ocean, Catalina, Newport Harbor and coastline views. Andre White of the Cain/White Group of HÔM Sotheby’s International Realty represented the seller, and Mary Beveridge of Teles Properties worked on behalf of the buyer.
The three-level, Mediterranean-style estate—custom built in 2013 by Pridemark and designed by Newport Beach architect Richard Krantz—has about 11,878 square feet of living space punctuated by expansive Albertini sliding glass doors that highlight its unobstructed views. The resort-inspired grounds include a saltwater swimming pool and spa, covered loggias with fireplaces, and landscapes by award-winning Pasadena landscape architect Greg Grisamore.
Laguna Beach-based designer Robert Ricker designed the home’s interior. There are two offices; an 18-person home theater; elevator; a gourmet kitchen with a separate catering kitchen; fitness room; billiards room; beauty salon and massage room; wine cellar; Savant home automation system; and nine-car subterranean garage.
Single-Level for $7M
The contemporary single-story home at 2526 Monaco Drive in Laguna Beach sold on July 30 for $7 million, less than $400,000 off its June list price.
The 3,265-square-foot home on the ocean side of Pacific Coast Highway has four bedrooms and 3 ½ baths and sits on a 0.27-acre lot. Its gourmet kitchen includes Carrara marble counters and a center island, Sub Zero and stainless Thermador appliances.
There is also a Savant home automation system offering control of lighting, entertainment, climate and security. The grounds include an open-air gazebo with views of the ocean and coastline.
Kathryn White and John Cain of the Cain/White Group of HÔM Sotheby’s International Realty represented the seller, and John Trevino of Surterre Properties represented the buyer.
Do the Honors
The 5,000-square-foot residence at 20 Honors Drive in Newport Beach sold on July 29 for $4.5 million, under its April asking price of $5 million.
The home, with four bedrooms and 3 ½ baths, sits on a 0.28-acre double lot at the end of a private-cul-de-sac. Its main level includes a formal dining room with custom coffered ceilings; a family room with custom built-ins and direct patio access; and a gourmet chef’s kitchen with white cabinetry and marble countertops.
The professionally landscaped grounds include a spa, a full guest casita, oversized stone patio, and built-in barbecue.
Tim Smith of the Smith Group of Coldwell Banker Previews International managed the transaction for the seller. The buyer’s agent was Sindy Lin Murray of Villa Real Estate.
