A recent flurry of luxury home sales illustrated the range—in terms of style and price—of the high-end market in Orange County. The properties, which changed hands in the two-week burst in January, included an expansive entertainer’s estate in Big Canyon; a private tropical paradise in Newport Coast; a charming French chateau-style home in Newport Coast; and an Emerald Bay gem held by the same owner for 40 years.
Big Sale in Big Canyon
The 9,268-square-foot estate at 27 Burning Tree Circle in Newport Beach is ensconced on more than half an acre of view property reminiscent of an elegant hilltop hotel resort.
The five-bedroom, seven-bath home sold on Jan. 9 for $8.75 million, matching its January list price. It was the second-highest sale in Big Canyon history, according to the listing agents.
The home is defined outdoors by walking paths, a fountain, flower-draped arches, colorful gardens, topiaries, and an expansive lawn with views that stretch over the canyon.
Inside, amenities include beamed ceilings, marble and tile floors, hardwood floors, and intricate custom moldings. Floor-to-ceiling windows in most rooms bring the “outdoors in.”
Lindsay Bibb and Natalie Raney of Villa Real Estate and Doug Skoro of Teles Properties Inc. represented the seller and the buyer, respectively.
Santa Barbara-Style
The four-bedroom, 4 ½-bath home at 3 Pelican Hill Circle, sitting on a 0.48-acre oceanview lot in Newport Coast, is set back from the street and landscaped with thick tropical plants and flowers that create a sense of privacy and peace.
The home, which boasts 7,100 square feet of living space, sold on Jan. 7 for $7.4 million, under its June asking price of $7.9 million.
Its Santa Barbara-inspired architecture includes a tile roof and exterior arches. Other outdoor amenities include a waterfall and a heated cabana.
A home theater, media room, office, and in-home gym are among the professionally decorated interior spaces.
Rex McKown and Marcy Weinstein of Surterre Properties Inc. listed the home on behalf of the seller, and Lucy Liu Scott of RE/MAX Fine Homes worked on behalf of the buyer.
Vive la Fabulous
The French influences in the home at 1 Pelican Hill Circle are evident in the interior and exterior of the 5,290-square-foot house.
The three-bedroom, three-bath home, which sits on a little more than an acre, sold for $4.25 million on Jan. 16, under its September list price of $4.65 million.
Outside, flowers line a flagstone walkway that leads to a French garden and ornate fountain. Balconies with scrolled ironwork overlook the backyard. All of the windows sport exterior shutters.
There’s a library with built-in shelves, a kitchen overlooking an herb garden, and a bonus room. The stairs are designed with scrolled iron railings, and there are hardwood floors, archways, beamed ceilings and many other appointments.
Margaret Robinson of Coldwell Banker Previews International represented the seller. The buyer’s agent was Victor Valverde of Keller Williams.
Worth the 40-Year Wait
The well-maintained, five-bedroom, three-bath home at 163 Emerald Bay in Laguna Beach changed owners on Jan. 8—the first time in 40 years. The closing price was $4.25 million, under its August list price of $5 million.
The home, which is 3,148 square feet, sits on a flat 8,712-square-foot corner lot on the ocean side of the private, gated community of Emerald Bay.
The second level of the home boasts sand, coastline and ocean views. Derik Brian of HÔM Sotheby’s International Realty represented the seller and buyer.
Clarifications: Roseanne Levan of Teles Properties was the co-listing agent of the home at 7 Beachcrest in Newport Coast featured in the Jan. 6 Luxury column. She also served as the buyer’s agent in the transaction. … The Tim Smith Group, featured in the Jan. 6 luxury homes column, is affiliated with Coldwell Banker.
