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A Rare Duo Of Contrasting Strand Homes—1808 & 1812 The Strand One Classic, One Modern—On Two Neighboring Parcels Marks A Milestone In Manhattan Beach Real Estate
The Strand represents a high point of Southern California coastal living—a slender ribbon of premium real estate along two miles of exquisite shoreline. Each parcel is a vaulted slice of plum California coastline in Manhattan Beach, with uninterrupted Pacific Ocean views, where inventory is fixed and opportunities to acquire are scarce.
Within this premium micro-market, certain homes—distinct by their extraordinary architecture, position, or size—transcend this exclusive supply and qualify as a blue-moon rarity.
Such is the case with a double-lot offering on an ideal stretch of Manhattan Beach’s beachfront—1808 and 1812 The Strand. So unusual is the pairing that real estate agent Ed Kaminsky of The Kaminsky Real Estate Group at eXp Realty, with nearly four decades of experience in the area, can’t recall a comparable listing.
“It’s probably one of the only times you can get 66 feet of ocean frontage,” Ed Kaminsky says of the side-by-side properties. “It’s so rare that I don’t know if this opportunity could ever be repeated, especially in this prime location.”
Exceptional Slice of Strand
The two properties can be purchased separately or together, maintained as separate estates or reimagined within the parameters of local codes and permissions. Another unique point of the sale is its price point: With a combined asking price approaching $26 million, if sold to one owner, the transaction would set local records.
“If you look at this as one sale, which it may be, it will be the highest sale to happen in Manhattan Beach,” Ed Kaminsky points out.
Situated a few minutes from Downtown, whether by bike or stroll, the properties are located along a neat wedge between prime Pacific Ocean beachfront and the easy lifestyle of Manhattan Beach. The expanse of sand is broad and inviting for jogging and sunbathing, yet boutiques and eateries are located less than 10 minutes away on foot.
“It’s the greatest stretch of the Strand,” explains Ed Kaminsky. “It’s pristine beaches, with nothing obstructing the view.” Similarly, both lots are elevated significantly above the bike path, he explains, “So you have less of the feel of moving traffic.”
This elevation enhances the sense of sanctuary and boosts views in the homes.
“You can see south to Palos Verdes and Catalina, and north to Malibu. It’s just an iconic location.”
Modern and Classic, Side by Side
The two homes are a study in contrasting architectural styles. On one parcel stands a Modernist concrete residence built in 2006, while the neighboring lot hosts a meticulously preserved 1922 Craftsman beach cottage.
The Modernist structure bears similarities to Brutalist architecture—a style that emerged in the post-war 1940s and 1950s. Designed by award-winning architect Frederick Fisher, the 2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home features raw, board-formed concrete as both the primary structural element and aesthetic feature. An ideal choice, since the structure was conceived as a fortress against the elements, and also functioned as a personal art gallery.
“It was built to showcase a very extensive art collection that was built over the years,” Ed Kaminsky explains. “It’s rare to find a home that has extensive walls for art, and this home was designed for that, along with the enjoyment of outside views.”
Concrete, as well as bold glass and steel elements, including a crystalline staircase and industrial-style windows, are softened by warm-hued wood interiors and porches to take in a bold spectrum of sea, sand and sky.
Ed Kaminsky recounts that the owner, who was the originator of this custom home, “was in the Navy, and he was a nautical guy, so he needed to be on the water.”
With nautical precision, he oriented the home at a slight angle in order to take advantage of a perfect southwest view—ideal for capturing sunsets.
Turn of the Century
By contrast, the adjacent 1922 cottage represents a well-preserved capsule of early 20th-century coastal architecture.
“If you walked that home in 1922 when it was built and walked in today, I don’t think it would look any different,” the agent says of the 1-bedroom residence. “It is in pristine condition, down to it even having an ice box and the original stove from that era.”
Despite its compact footprint of about 1,000 square feet, the century-old home creates an illusion of spaciousness. While the kitchen and bedroom are tucked in the rear of the home, the front of the home’s emphasis is on the living room, which is sunlit and open, and facing the ocean—the perfect spot for savoring color-soaked sunsets.
“It feels like you’re living in 2,000 square feet of space,” notes Ed Kaminsky. “It’s just the most amazing little one-bedroom house that I’ve ever seen.”
While the Modernist home was designed for everyday living, the Craftsman structure was used more sparsely, as a beach dwelling for family get-togethers. (The properties have remained in the same family since 1985, with the second parcel acquired in 1999, and both have been maintained with meticulous care.)
“The owner treated those homes like a fine boat, and had service people working frequently over the years to protect them from the elements,” Ed Kaminsky recalls.
Whether these distinctive properties are acquired individually or purchased by one person, and whether the homes are reimagined or preserved, the possibilities stretch as wide as the 66 feet of prime oceanfront that make up these two neighboring lots. A design enthusiast may choose to carry on its stark architectural contrast; LA modern and historic side by side. Or the future may lie in crafting a new property.
“Someone who decides to purchase both can create a dream estate or family compound,” the agent points out.
Whatever the outcome, this rare duo presents not just a chance to own one of the brightest spots of California’s coastline but an opportunity to be a part of its next chapter.
Ed Kaminsky | 310.427.2414 | DRE #00958114
Kaminsky Real Estate Group at eXp Realty
1808 The Strand: $12,750,000
1812 The Strand: $13,000,000
Photographs Courtesy of Kaminsky Real Estate Group
