Lauren Forbes & John Corrales Bring to Market a Tomaro Design Group Mediterranean Home With a Prize Address on a North Hermosa Walk Street
Not a lot of homes come up for sale here, ever,” says John Corrales of Compass. The luxury Beach Cities real estate agent is talking about 17th Street’s walk street—one of five, stroll-only throughways that lead directly from Hermosa Avenue to the sand. This street is special for its old California vibe; the sunlit path is dotted with native trees, and there are charming homes with open-air decks.
Arguably one of the grandest homes on the 17th Street walk street, 92 17th street is a Mediterranean-style dwelling, styled by Tomaro Design Group, whose work is prolific in the South Bay. The four-story house is ample at approximately 4,100 square feet, with five bedrooms and six bathrooms. More Italian than Spanish—“I think of it as a versatile Venetian,” says John Corrales—the home’s design presents a nice contrast; a classically styled interior that embraces its oceanside atmosphere.
The result is a home that feels perennial when it comes to offering an elevated, coastal lifestyle. And given its square footage and location, John Corrales explains, it’s also a good value, particularly “when you compare this home’s square footage to other homes that are this close to the beach” and, he adds, “especially homes of this caliber.”
The traditional feel in the home comes from its arched entranceways and decorative ceilings, its curving staircase, and those lofty balconies with decorative balustrades. This elegance is invigorated by coastal design elements that are plentiful throughout the home, starting with an airy rooftop deck for taking in the sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. (At night, this private spot is a wonderful place to stargaze while orange flames flicker in the nearby fireplace.)
There are bedrooms adorned with balconies and outdoor spaces; so are several of the gathering spots—from fresh-air dining that’s adjacent to the kitchen, to lounge areas that link to the outdoors. Oversized arched windows and glass doors that join the home with the outdoors are both ample features of the residence.
Finally, there’s a walk street patio—larger than most and green landscaped for privacy. With its natural stone floor and a modern fire pit, it’s a perfect place for gathering in the evening or welcoming friends for a beach day. This home is a plum spot for the latter since a minutes’ walk brings you to sand and sea, and surfing at 17th Street is particularly fine.
“It’s versatile,” says John Corrales of the home’s floor plan, “and it works with family members of all ages.” Notable is the array of gathering spaces within the home, offering distinct places for everyone to hunker down and enjoy—whether together or solo. “You can be having a party,” he points out, “and someone could be studying upstairs, and they wouldn’t be bothered.”
There’s a richly appointed game room and media room on the lower level, and on an upper floor, an office with wood-plank floors and a built-in work area. The home also has multiple living rooms—from one with a cream-hued, ornate fireplace to a casual gathering space on the third floor. This sunny space, designed with a Juliet balcony and a bathroom, could easily be transformed into bedroom number six, John Corrales points out. (An elevator makes it easy to shuttle between the home’s many floors.)
In scale with the home is a chic master suite that occupies a large part of the third floor. With the dual balconies opened in the bedroom, the entire space is enjoined to the fresh ocean air and welcomes views of greenery, sky, and ocean. It’s particularly delightful at sunset, and after dark, with doors open and the fireplace aglow. Slender rustic wood doors lead to a sunlit bathroom with a spa tub and walk-in shower.
Steps away is a generous walk-in closet. “The master bathroom is stocked like a spa,” points out John Corrales, who, chuckling, adds that “whoever buys this house should probably buy the items that are in it too.” Designed like a retreat, the master suite has been cleverly separated from the rest of this floor via stairs, which gives it a separate elevation, and with it, a heightened sense of privacy.
A highlight of the home, and part of the experience of living here, is undoubtedly found in its address. “North Hermosa is a target,” John Corrales says. “You’re close enough to the action on Pier Avenue and downtown, yet it feels that you’re in a true neighborhood. It’s very family-oriented.”
Coffee shops and sidewalk cafes are a five-minute walk, and days spent at the beach, just at the end of the block, can be capped off by fine dining and live music—all within walking distance. Yet when one comes home, to this address on one of the most picturesque streets in town, one will always find a relaxed atmosphere within the refined residence, a place that only enhances life at the beach.
Presented by
Lauren Forbes | 310.901.8512 | DRE 01295248
John Corrales | 310.346.3332 | DRE 01263687
Compass
List Price $5,700,000
Photographs by Paul Jonason