Situated in the Highest of Pacific Palisades Legendary Bluffs, 325 Mount Holyoke a 5 Bedroom, 5 1/2 Bath Home Caps Luxurious Materials, Flawless Modern Design and Incredible Walkability With Breathtaking Coastline Views
“Golden Hour” describes those few moments on either side of sunrise and sunset when the Earth’s light is at its most beautiful. Cinematographers treasure it for the way the soft, pink hue softens contours and reduces contrast, making everything in its gaze, from landscapes to people, appear more luminescent. It’s no wonder that people in the film industry refer to these times as “magic hour;” it imbues even the most mundane day with enchantment, coloring it with a literal ray of sunshine.
The experience turns especially poetic when it includes a glimpse of the sun, delicately positioned over the water, scattered bits of light dappling the ocean’s rippling surface. It’s no wonder that, since time immemorial, it’s been the source of humanity’s greatest inspiration. And it adds an irresistible layer to the spell cast by 325 Mount Holyoke Avenue.
This airy new modern home is located just south of Temescal Canyon in Pacific Palisades‘ Via Bluffs neighborhood. It’s perched on Mt. Holyoke, the highest of the four bluffs in this area, and the only one with western-oriented, unencumbered views of the ocean, the coastline, and the Santa Monica mountains. It’s that vision that gave rise to the phrase “Where the Mountains meet the Sea,” an apt description of this highly coveted spot.
But, of course, a view is only one part of the equation when it comes to finding the ideal abode. The word “location” also describes an area’s accessibility and this neighborhood is not only prized for its access to the rest of Los Angeles but for its walkability. It’s situated within easy ambling distance of Rick Caruso‘s Palisades Village, with its dozens of restaurants and shops, Pacific Palisades’ bustling town center, its bountiful Sunday farmer’s market as well as many of the area’s most well-respected schools.
The opportunity for kids to walk to school, a rare commodity in Los Angeles, encourages their independence. True, you’ll forget to breathe the first time they head off on their own but that will soon morph into pride as they learn to navigate this bucolic neighborhood—and the world—on their own.
This home, custom-designed by Eliana Rokach, features her signature mix of luxurious materials and impeccable flow. Yet, beyond the pale oak floors, the dramatic custom marble kitchen island, the plethora of closet space, and the free-standing bathtub in the primary suite, beyond even the home’s sprawling floor plan, which spreads five bedrooms and five and a half baths with office space of nearly 6,000 square feet, it’s the integration of the home’s setting into every facet of its design that truly sets it apart. With floor-to-ceiling windows in nearly every one of the home’s public rooms, and expansive picture windows dominating its private quarters, this house was created to invite those incredible views into everyday life, washing it with glamor.
The details that are imperative to the full enjoyment of life in Southern California are shown off to their best advantage here. There’s plenty of outdoor space for entertaining, from the large rooftop deck with its treetop views, to the infinity-edged pool, located just off the sprawling open-concept kitchen, dining, and living space, which seems to merge with the blue of the Pacific. A hot tub, thoughtfully placed on the deck to take advantage of that incredible panorama, is the centerpiece for your new evening ritual. You’ll quickly become a convert to the warm water’s power to prime you for a night of restorative sleep.
Heading to bed, you push the curtains aside and pocket away the sliding doors as the ocean breeze provides the perfect amount of cool. Instead of an alarm clock, you awaken to the soft light of the sun at dawn. Funny how meditation has turned from something you used to scoff at into an integral part of your day. You and your spouse spend a few moments together each morning just staring out over the coastline watching the sunrise before you head downstairs to your home office. You look up from the computer during your Pomodoro breaks to keep an eye out for the kids coming home from school, the Amazon delivery truck, and those colleagues arriving to those in-person appointments (So much better than Zoom!).
In fact, between the brisk walking meetings and your regular use of the gym equipment you installed in the basement (more than one neighbor has remarked that, unlike their own space, skylights turn a dark space into a welcoming one), your pandemic paunch has quickly disappeared, replaced by a sleeker, saner you. Could it be the house? The neighborhood? Very possibly.
“The stunning unencumbered ocean, mountain, and sunset views are not the only traits that make this property a standout,” confirms Compass‘ Ryan Jancula, who holds the listing for the property in conjunction with Compass‘ Trevor Montano.
“It’s the workmanship and quality of construction, the immaculate design of the home, and the location being in such close proximity to the ocean bluff and Palisades Village that makes this property so incredibly special and unique.”
You couldn’t agree more.
Ryan Jancula | 310.729.6852 | DRE: 01904981
Trevor Montano | 310.953.6854 | DRE: 01954164
of Compass
List Price: $12,250,000