S W E E T D I G S | 3 1 0 0 T H E S T R A N D
N
early 100 years ago Calvin
Coolidge was in the White House
and Bessie Smith's St Louis Blues
was at the top of the charts. It was
1925, and in Manhattan Beach,
California, construction had just been completed
on a new Spanish villa overlooking the sea.
The location was one of the best on the
Strand, a gorgeous miles-long swath of land
curving along the Pacific Ocean that had
begun attracting newcomers in earnest with
its bejeweled coastline—where sun danced
along white-capped waves and the blazing hues
of sunset, counting purple, blue and orange
streaked across the skies each evening.
Fast forward to 2023. The coastal beauty—
and views—of this coveted corner property at
3100 The Strand still remain, along with the
origins of the 1925-era residence, which is
about halfway through the process of a 21st
century re-build.
It's a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom Spanish
Revival home, a classic architectural style
that's a mainstay in this climate with its
red-clay roof, creamy white stucco and graceful
arches, which strike a charmed contrast next
to the steely blue waters, light-hued sands and
pale skies of the Pacific. Inside, the approxi-
mately 2,399-square-foot floorplan has been
updated with generous open spaces and plenty
of large-scale windows and sliding glass to
beam in these spectacular scenes.
The property is currently on the market, the
result of a court-ordered sale, and presents two
flexible options for potential buyers. "You don't
usually get court-ordered sales of this qual-
ity," says Stroyke, noting that this is a premier,
Strand corner lot that's also very buildable.
One option is to finish out the existing proj-
ect for "a small, less-is-more residence," he
describes: "Or you can build a world-class new
property with views that will never be replicated
by another corner lot."
No matter one's choice, the one-off Strand
address is the real treasure. The lot is situated
on a rare corner walk street lot that faces south,
giving it wide-angle sea vistas. "Walk-street lots
are wonderful for three reasons," points out
Stroyke. First, he explains, you can build a wider
house, due to there being only a one-foot setback
along the walk street, instead of the usual three-
foot setback. Enhanced views are another and
finally, there are extended outdoor areas, so such
properties can contain a yard and patio.
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58 DIGS.NET
| 7.14.23
