S W E E T D I G S | 6 7 7 1 9 T H S T.
T
he Tree Section of Manhattan
Beach is prized for its family friendly
streets and easy access to two of the
town's primary charms—a vast sandy
beachfront and a charming downtown,
both brimming with life and activity. Tucked
along 19th Street, just steps from the green
fields of Live Oak Park and jogging paths along
Valley-Ardmore, is a cluster of homes, part of
an appealing pocket neighborhood. Old-growth
trees and green palms line the street, and
despite its lowkey atmosphere, the area is
remarkably central.
"It's part of American Martyrs—the most
desirable part of the Tree Section," explains
real estate agent Giovanni Altamura. "You get
bigger lots than what are typically found in the
Tree Section, and you're right in town, so it's
very walkable." Downtown shops and restau-
rants are only 10-minutes away on foot, and you
can hop on a beach cruiser to reach the ocean
in the same amount of time. Schools are nearby,
too; Pacific Elementary and American Martyrs
School are just a few minutes' walk from the
front door of 677 19th Street.
The 6-bedroom, 7-bathroom home is a
welcoming domestic hub—and a study in how
to make the most of every square foot of space,
both indoors and out. There's a plentiful canvas
at this address, which was designed by notable
architect Louis Tomaro and completed in 2016.
The floorplan is expansive, with approximately
5,592 square feet of living space and three
floors engineered for optimum user-friendliness.
And loaded with distinctive charm and unique
finishes. In this case the interior designer was
also the homeowner—and mother to four young
children for whom many of the home's most
pragmatic features were created to suit.
The details are extensive throughout the
oversized lot—nearly 1/4 of an acre—that's
designed as a fresh-air playground. Standalone
spaces are woven into every corner, and there's
a near-constant link to the indoors. "It's one
of the biggest lots in the Tree Section," points
out Altamura. "It's a pie-shaped property that's
roughly equivalent to two, average-sized yards
for the area."
There's a charming front porch where you
can watch kids play in the silky long grass,
shaded by an old-growth eucalyptus tree. A
wrap-around porch stretches across the rear of
the home, and lives like a year-round lounge:
You can watch television in front of the fireplace,
refreshing drinks and snacks from the built-in
butler's kitchen. Steps away is an outdoor dining
area with built-in seating nook and a pizza oven.
Adding structure and substance to the deck is
its flooring—authentic hardwood and elevated
above the grassy yard where you can play games
and watch children play, even from indoors.
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