A High-altitude Address on the Manhattan Beach Strand Is Home to Unparalleled Views of the Ocean and Coastline, Plus a Sophisticated Custom Residence With Parking for Seven
It would be hard to find a more photographed area of Manhattan Beach than the impressive scenes around 18th Street and The Strand. It’s where a gently sloping incline peaks give lift to the already buoyant scene of pale blue sky and white-tipped waves that, on rhythm, tip onto the warm beige sands of the broad beach. Just a few blocks away are the polished boutiques and award-winning eateries of this easygoing oceanfront town, plus the landmark Pier that juts over the Pacific Ocean.
“It sits on what we believe is the highest point of The Strand,” says real estate agent Lauren Forbes of the Lauren Forbes Group at Compass of the 5-bedroom, 6.5-bath property, “so it has a very unique vantage point.”
The prime, corner-lot location of the home has been optimized by careful design, so that much of the residence’s approximately 5,300 square feet of living space is orientated south—towards the very best vistas. The lofty facade of the structure, distinctive with a curving beachfront silhouette, is dominated by glass and open-air spaces, resulting in a generous selection of bird’s eye views: There’s the beach and the ocean, and wide-angle scenes of the Manhattan Beach Pier.
“You feel like you are on top of the world,” Lauren Forbes describes, “which is an extremely powerful position.”
To the south is the Palos Verdes Peninsula, unobstructed, with its map of twinkling lights lending a poetic shimmer to the landscape after dark. You can gaze out to Catalina Island, and look northbound along the coast to Malibu and Santa Monica.
“The views from each level are unmatched anywhere in the South Bay,” says Lauren Forbes, whose market focus is luxury coastal homes, principally in the Beach Cities and Palos Verdes.
Built by custom builder David Garinger of Garinger & Associates, whose portfolio includes many large, luxury homes in Manhattan Beach, the residence was constructed to match the impressive aura of its setting.
“There was no budget for the build,” notes Lauren Forbes. “The original owners wanted it to be perfect.”
It’s this spirit that inspired features like the three-story circular staircase—linking floors together in a floating wood design that was meticulously crafted as one piece, then transported into the home during construction—and the five-car interior garage. Vehicles are transported to the lower level via a dual lift system, where they are hermetically sealed for preservation while in storage.
“For car enthusiasts who want to live on the beach,” says Lauren Forbes, “it is a dream come true.”
Adding to the five indoor spaces are two additional exterior spaces, bringing the home’s parking total to seven cars, which might be a record for a Strand property.
The home’s principal living spaces offer distinct atmospheres and usages, although all are visually unified by a look of polished, coastal elegance. There’s a light-hued color palette, punctuated by subtly grained wood floors and glazed ceiling beams—all the better to highlight the dramatic backdrop of sky, sand, and ocean that’s exposed by floor-to-ceiling glass. Central also to the home’s design is its easy access to the outdoors, particularly via the sizable decks found on each of the three levels.
“These are encased in glass,” says Lauren Forbes of these outdoor living areas on the middle and upper floors that are nicely shrouded from the elements, and where views are blissfully wide-angle and unblocked.
“And on the terraced walk-street patio, you feel extreme privacy even though your views are unobstructed.”
Daily sunsets are particularly brilliant at this address, with bursts of vivid gold, blues, and fuchsia lighting up main living spaces, including the fireplaced living and dining rooms, the stone-tiled kitchen, and the top-floor primary suite that’s even grander than one might expect.
Here, bedroom details include a vaulted ceiling and a fireplace, and you can wake up over coffee on the spacious oceanfront deck, or watch the glow of sunrise fill the room before getting ready for the day. Even for this, there’s a thoughtful separation of spaces in the form of two separate bathrooms—each with views of the Pacific Ocean from the sink—as well as dual walk-in closets.
While much consideration has been given to sleeping spaces—each of the five bedrooms has its own bathroom, and some have balconies—there’s equal emphasis on entertaining at this showcase home. There’s an elevator to connect the upper floors to the Strand level, where you can gather with friends around the fireplace or congregate at the bar, which can be re-stocked with ease from the 360-bottle wine cellar, just steps away. On warm days, you can open the glass doors to connect the sunlit space with the beach and the meandering veranda.
“You have direct ocean views in front of you,” says Lauren Forbes of the space, “but no one can see inside.”
This outdoor space is terraced and secluded, with manicured green landscaping that keeps the alfresco dining and lounge areas feel like they’re in a world of their own. It certainly feels that way at this address, though it’s only a five-minute stroll to Downtown Manhattan Beach, or two minutes if you hop on a beach cruiser.
“Location, orientation and elevation,” says Lauren Forbes, summing up the property.
This is a unique place of beauty on the Strand—surrounded by a bounty of high-altitude beach and coastal scenes on one side, and the graceful homes and leisurely pace of 18th Street’s walk street on the other.
“Corner lots are the most desirable,” Lauren Forbes explains, “and south-facing corners are the most coveted, making this an extremely rare find.” Add to all this the rare height of this property and she states, “In my opinion, it’s the best property on the Strand.”
Lauren Forbes | 310.901.8512 | DRE# 01295248
Lauren Forbes Group | Compass
List Price: $27,000,000
Photography by Paul Jonason
