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that this sweetly unblocked panorama—stretching to Santa
Monica and Malibu looking north, and including Palos Verdes
and Catalina Island to the south—is forever due to the home's
park-adjacent location.
Both homes have exceptional views in common but are
unique in respective floor plans, materials and atmosphere.
"The owner, Thomas, wanted the units to be distinctive," Lee
notes. So think of the two homes as cousins versus twins, with
the aesthetic hands of Shin and Lee in both. "These houses
and this location," says Shin, "they don't come around very
often." That said, each home is tailored to its unique posi-
tion on the hill: The Highland house is imbued with what
Lee describes as a "soft, urban look," with an exterior that
balances glass and light-hued brick against wood and dark
metal. Inside, a roomy stairwell connects each floor, creating
an airy and sunlit connection between each. By contrast, the
Crest property offers a more box-like, horizontal silhouette
wrapped in suede-like stucco. Inside contrasts are subtle and
elegant, from pale oak floors and cabinetry to softly gleaming
accents in polished chrome and satin-finish brass. In both
homes, master bathrooms are high notes—luxurious retreats
with walk-in spa showers and freestanding white tubs, and
generously dressed in thick slabs of veiny marble. "I spent an
inordinate amount of money on slabs," says Lee with a laugh.
It was a desire to create elevated markers of Manhattan
Beach living that drove this project, with the end result being
two new homes that add up to a next chapter of luxury along
the border of this beachside park. "We wanted the rooms to
feel good," Lee says simply of his work, which is focused on
a studied and uncluttered design, along with the positive
exploitation of light, air and materials. That, and a thorough
embrace of this rare environment. "I'm very happy with the
composition of the two of them together," says Lee. "I think
they look fantastic."
