An estate in the exclusive Pelican Crest neighborhood has set the record for Orange County’s most expensive home sale of 2025, closing at $37 million just weeks after hitting the market.
The three-level, 13,500-square-foot house at Newport Beach property at 9 Pelicans Drive sold for $2,741 per square foot, with escrow closing on Feb. 13.
Steve High of Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty represented the seller, with the property co-listed by Evan Corkett.
The buyer was represented by Paul Daftarian of Luxe Real Estate.
One of the standout features of 9 Pelicans Drive is its 388 feet of view frontage, offering sweeping views of the coastline, harbor and ocean. Situated on .57 acres at the end of a cul-de-sac, the estate boasts four bedroom suites, eight bathrooms, soaring 14-foot high ceilings and a 35-foot building height.
The home is also noted for its Palladian-style architecture, a European style of design inspired by 16th century Venetian architect Andrea Palladio. Palladian-style buildings are defined by proportion, symmetry, Venetian windows and temple front, which involves the use of pillars, according to the Royal Institute of British Architects.
9 Pelicans Drive, built in 2004, was on the market for 22 days and sold for 7% less than the listing price. It is the most expensive house sold in Orange County so far this year.
The Pelican Crest estate’s last sale, per Redfin, was $19.8 million in December 2009.
Rounding out the five most expensive homes sold during the first two months of 2025 are 22 Scenic Bluff in Newport Beach for $17 million, 7 Searidge in Laguna Niguel for $16.3 million, 14 Gondoliers Bluff in Newport Beach for $15.1 million and 500 Via Lido Nord in Newport Beach for $15 million.
The sales of 9 Pelicans Drive and 22 Scenic Bluff, the two most expensive homes sold in 2025 so far, totaled $55 million in sales volume. That’s more than the two most expensive homes sold in the first two months of 2024: $31 million for 7 Montage Way and $21.5 million for 2345 S. Coast Highway, both in Laguna Beach.
“I am finding renewed optimism from luxury buyers in the high-end OC market since Donald Trump took office. The buyers for this house were a local family,” said High, who represented the seller for 9 Pelicans Drive.
“In addition, the Orange County housing market is seeing an influx of people moving from the Los Angeles fire areas,” High continued. “So far, that has translated into some purchases but primarily leasing. However, once people from the burn areas experience living here, I think there is a strong likelihood that they will consider moving here permanently.”
