The view of the Pacific Ocean is what sold it.
Before tearing down an aging home at 32711 Caribbean Drive in Dana Point, the Casa Arte Group developers went inside and put a chair onto a kitchen table—just to see the view of the ocean from a little higher up.
That moment helped shape what would become the main floor of the “Saltaire House,” a newly completed 5,188 square foot coastal estate in the Monarch Bay Terrace neighborhood that has now sold for $12.7 million.
“They saw the vision,” John Stanaland, founder of the John Stanaland Group at The Agency, told the Business Journal. He and Logan Montgomery represented the buyer and seller.
“This was just a very, very high-end build with thoughtful attention to detail. The development group really nailed this one,” Stanaland said.
The five-bedroom, six-bathroom home was built on a 13,800-square-foot corner lot above Monarch Beach and is less than a mile away from Monarch Beach Bay Club.
It sits on the non-coastal side of the Pacific Coast Highway.
Stanaland said the home price was recorded at $12.4 million but with additional commissions paid outside escrow, the sale price is closer to $12.7 million, a record for a property on the other side of PCH.
“We knew it was going to set a record when we listed it,” he said.
Saltaire House by Casa Arte Group
The Dana Point luxury home developer designed the main level residence atop a six-car garage to emphasize seamless indoor-outdoor living.
Inside, the home features 10-foot-high ceilings and expansive pocket glass doors that open onto the main living areas, offering panoramic views of the Pacific.
The kitchen includes custom European-style cabinetry, quartzite countertops, a full Miele appliance suite, a butler’s pantry and a prep kitchen, according to the listing.
Other features of the home include a sunken pool and spa, gym, private garden spaces and smart-home integration.
Even at this price point, the home moved relatively quickly, going into escrow in about 30 days, Stanaland said.
“At this level, it usually takes longer,” he said. “But the builders and the product definitely made it an easier sale.”
The buyer, he said, is a local Orange County resident who recognized both the design and the location.
“They were very sophisticated and understood the value,” he said.
Dana Point
That kind of pricing now defines Dana Point.
Once considered a step behind neighboring coastal markets like Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, the city has seen rising demand in recent years, fueled by luxury developments, the ongoing harbor revitalization and neighborhoods like Monarch Bay Terrace gaining attention, said Stanaland.
“Dana Point used to be a little behind, and now it’s caught up and maybe even surpassed some areas,” he said.
The Monarch Bay Terrace neighborhood is known for its larger lots, wide streets and proximity to the beach, along with easy access to destinations like the St. Regis Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton and Laguna Niguel.
For Stanaland, the sales reflect a broader trend in Orange County’s luxury market.
“I think in a couple of years, we’re going to look back and say this pricing was cheap,” he said.
