2816 via Anapaca, a Sprawling Home in Palos Verdes Estates Combines Elegance and Comfort for Pleasure and Parties
Homeowners Don and Dianne Ecker have regaled many via their indoor-outdoor great room with marble counter bar and grill; heated second-level multi-service deck; distinctive putting range area and spectacular, 3,000-bottle capacity wine cellar. Glorious fountains invite all into the gated estate, featuring a nearly 6,000-square-foot home with five bedrooms and four bathrooms within a sprawling configuration.
Describing their lifestyle, Don says: “My wife and I recently celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary and had a wonderful party that provided intimate conversation areas for folks in the California room, great room, bar (indoor and outdoor), and with everything being open, with the doors, it still had the feel of everyone being together as well as providing a great flow through all of the areas. We have also had parties with up to 200 people, as there are so many places to mingle and converse. It truly is a home that can scale from small intimate groups to large functions and holiday special events seamlessly.”
Upstairs, the master bedroom has a terrific coastline view; a balcony and sunken bath, and a large walk-in closet. One can even sit in the spa tub and steam bath and watch the sunset. The second-story deck, outside the master, leads to two additional bedrooms, and has a full outdoor kitchen and barbecue. The Eckers say, “We have enjoyed meals and drinks on the upper deck alone or with close friends to view the sunsets and ocean… and will have great memories for years to come. There is also radiant heat on the balcony and our dog Maggie enjoys lounging on the deck—yes, she is a princess.”
A spiral staircase gives the house a grand entry. Stone fireplaces are in the great room and California room, plus indoor-outdoor flooring with radiant heating and comfortable travertine seating. A well-modeled New York Sunken Bar, eye-level with seated guests and featuring a copper sink and marble top, is surrounded by leather seating and an Old World European tapestry to talk about. The Eckers frequently combine century-old family antiques with contemporary California ease.
The golf course is a huge benefit for family and guests and, Don says, “A personal item that is very special to us…our grandsons are 8 and 11 and have grown up wanting to go out and putt with Papa during their visits; and then on the flipside, it’s a great area for folks to hang out and drink wine and golf during parties. The individual who designed the estate’s two-tier putting greens, was in charge of the greens at Trump National Golf Course…where he was truly a visionary in developing the flow and design.”
Another specialty of this estate comprises the aforementioned wine cellar designed by Don and his daughter. “We have an electronic inventory tracking system with column and row numbers to manage the wine,” says Don. “We have had some great parties with up to 20 people who have hung out in the wine cellar going up the ladder, pulling magnums and enjoying the tasting, it’s truly an experience. The cellar is completely sealed like a space ship, and has a separate cooling system to keep the wine at optimal levels, using two split-air units to keep the temperature between 55-59 or 57 degrees.”
This property also boasts five fountains, including a Signature Travertine fountain from Italy, and an oversized Jacuzzi with waterfalls by the golf course. Encircling walls and wrought iron fencing maintains safety and privacy for children and animals.
In addition, 2816 Via Anapaca has a lovely English outdoor garden. Revealing their outdoor plan, Don says, “Our goal was to have numerous settings and vistas with different feels as friends and family joined us…we were successful in creating this private estate feeling.”
Material details in 2816 Via Anapaca include “warm” carved hickory on the second floor, chosen by Dianne, and stone hand selected by their friends, the Battaglias, who also helped with patio and countertop decisions on the main floor, the double mud Spanish tiles on the roof, and a media room with video games on a big screen for the kids and their friends as part of the family room.
The estate’s large corner lot is within prime proximity to the beach, schools and shopping. The Eckers have created their own private paradise at home with waterfalls, a spa and heated balcony views—one that would be hard for anyone to leave. But as the Eckers say, “We will miss our home, but we want to move closer to our children and grandchildren at this stage of our life.” This Palos Verdes Estates home is ready to be the place for new joyful experiences.
Rick Edler
Edler Derenzis Group, Vista Sotheby’s International Realty
List price $4,650,000
Written by Nicole Borgenicht | Photography by Paul Jonason