Photography Courtesy of Peter McMenamin
When noted, American landscape architect and planner Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. was offered his choice of parcels in the area on which to build a personal residence as a thank you for his hand in creating the city of Palos Verdes Estates in 1925, he chose this bluff-top beauty at 2101 Rosita Place. With the help of renowned architect Myron Hunt, he then set out to craft a Spanish-inspired estate on the eucalyptus-laced lot overlooking the coastline, complete with views of the Pacific and Santa Monica Bay, artisan touches aside masterful updates, and natural beauty…all rolled into an unparalleled package.
Today, the 3,453 square foot villa—known as “Casa Felicia”—continues to attract attention in a community of standout properties. Among the show-stopping features of the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home: a serpentine driveway crafted from oversized Mexican bricks; hand-carved doors; vaulted ceilings; hand-crafted fireplaces; tile flooring; ornamental wood pillars; and a dramatic skylight in the scenic dining room. Not to mention the luxurious outdoor environs—rife with lush landscaping and special features ranging from handmade fountains to the Coliseum, a rotunda flanked by stone walls that has been host to many a festive wedding and family celebration.
“ This property has 270 feet of ocean
frontage on a 65,000 square foot lot;
it is spectacular land and a once-in-a-
lifetime opportunity,” says listing
agent Chris Adlam of Vista Sotheby’s
International Realty, who recently
sold the home (which was on the
market for the first time in 50-plus
years) for $11.950 million.”