Orange County boasts some of the most impressive homes in the country, from sprawling European-inspired estates that grace the low hills of Coto de Caza to the modern masterpieces with endless ocean views. They’re all awe-inspiring, though some capture the imagination for reasons besides price or size. Here is a selection of some of this year’s most wow-worthy homes:
Outside the Ordinary
The Balinese-inspired dream home at 17 Lagunita Drive in Laguna Beach completely embraces the California outdoor lifestyle. A trio of levels opens up to expansive outdoor patio spaces that host an exterior “living room” complete with television and surround sound, kitchen, private spa, sauna, and, of course, access to some of the most stunning vistas of white water, Catalina Island and golden sunsets in Orange County. Sean Stanfield of HÔM Sotheby’s International Realty listed the 4,905-square-foot, five-bedroom, six-bath home, which sold on Aug. 10, fetching $12.2 million.
When Italy Comes to You
The exquisite Italian architecture of the home at 3 Shell Beach in Newport Coast immediately draws you in to this 9,000-plus square foot hillside estate, which is nestled onto a half-acre lot with Pacific Ocean views. Curved arches, fluted columns and marble floors transport visitors to the Italian countryside. The six-bedroom, seven-bath home—which even boasts a tower—sold in August for $10.5 million, with Tim Carr of Villa Real Estate managing the sale.
Waterfront Seats
You have front-row seats to morning crew workouts, sailing regattas and all the other harbor activities from the waterfront location of the Regency-style home at 38 Linda Isle in Newport Beach. Its 5,400 square feet of living space include four bedrooms and six baths. Steve High of Villa Real Estate negotiated $9.95 million for the home back in January.
Sports Lover’s Dream
The home at 8 Boulder View in the Shady Canyon area of Irvine is situated on nearly an acre on a private golf course. It boasts an incredible backyard complete with a stadium tennis court, basketball half-court and a 75-foot lap swimming pool. Rachel Swardstrom of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage secured $9.95 million for the six-bedroom, 10-bath home in January.
November and December sales of other remarkable homes include these:
Beaches and Breezes
The Lido Isle home at 800 Via Lido Nord in Newport Beach sold on Dec. 5 for $12.5 million after listing in September for 12.75 million.
The 5,463-square-foot home sits on 60 feet of Newport Channel waterfront and spans two lots totaling 5,400 square feet.
The Tuscan-style five-bedroom, six-bath estate showcases rustic-style amenities, such as exposed wood beams, arched windows, wrought-iron banisters, stone and wood floors and custom built-ins. There are four fireplaces, an elevator, a multipurpose large craft room, a gym and an office. The kitchen flows out to the covered patio for indoor-outdoor entertaining and dining al fresco.
The home features nearly 500 square feet of basement space, plus a private dock with room for a 70-foot vessel on the east side and a 50-foot vessel on the west.
Sean Stanfield of HÔM Sotheby’s International represented the buyer, and Lee Ann Canaday of Remax Fine Homes worked on behalf of the buyer.
Beauty and Beyond
The 5,880-square-foot home at 41 Seaview in Dana Point sold on Nov. 23 for just over $8 million, coming in under its October list price of $8.9 million.
The four-bedroom, five-bath ocean-view home, located in The Strand gated community on a 9,980-square-foot lot, was constructed last year with materials that include European white-washed oak plank flooring, Carrera marble, antiqued brick, hand-laid mosaics, crown molding and wainscoting.
The home also boasts a walk-in wine cellar and a library. Its master suite includes a sitting area, a balcony and a spa-inspired master bath complete with a freestanding tub, a fireplace and his-and-her dressing areas.
Outside, there’s a fire pit, swimming pool and spa, and a loggia with an entertainment center. The property includes a golf cart garage.
The home is integrated with a Crestron automation system.
Monica Sylvester of Willis Allen Real Estate represented the seller. The buyer’s agent was outside of the area.
