DIGS is the premiere luxury real estate lifestyle magazine serving the most affluent neighborhoods in the South Bay and Westside of Los Angeles, California.
Issue link: https://www.southbaydiggs.com/i/1518516
52 DIGS.NET | 4.5.24 S W E E T D I G S | 2 1 0 4 L A U R E L AV E F amilies are drawn to the Tree Section of Manhattan Beach for its mellow, neighborly streets and access to the town's highlights— great schools, beautiful beaches and a charming Downtown filled with shops and restaurants. Here homes are roomy, with grassy yards and plenty of places to play. You can hop on a beach cruiser to reach boutiques and eateries in 5 minutes, and the Pacific Ocean is only a mile away. Schools are nearby, too. Pacific Elemen- tary and American Martyrs School are just a few minutes' walk from 2104 Laurel Avenue— where a new designer home has been completed, steps from the green walking paths along Valley-Ardmore. "It's called the American Martyrs section, and Laurel Avenue is arguably its best street," real estate agent Nick Schneider describes. "In fact, Laurel Avenue is to American Martyrs what John Street is to the Hill Section. Typi- cally, families who buy on this street don't leave." He should know. He grew up in this charmed pocket of town, and walked along its tree-lined streets to attend the Catholic parish school for which the area is named; as did his brothers, father and uncle. It's not just the prized location that makes the home appealing, however. Designed by notable coastal architect Douglas Leach, the project was spearheaded by local developer Saeid Shokravi, whose Talmera Properties produce exclusive Beach Cities' homes that combine a high-gloss aesthetic with super- charged functionality. Luxury + Warmth "In this home I balanced the luxury of the home with an earthiness and warmth," devel- oper Saeid says of the approximately 4,863 square-foot residence, which is bathed in a tranquil palette of whites and beach-inspired beiges and tan. Still, a low-key glamour pulses through the 5-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom home with a gym, which spans 3 airy levels linked by an elevator that's beautifully trimmed in wood. Step through the grand entrance door, crafted from cedar wood, and into the sunlit foyer—where you see a dramatic sweep across the main living spaces, decked in coffered 11-foot ceilings and toasty hued wood floors set in a sophisticated chevron pattern. Music pipes in from somewhere, while orange flames flicker in the fireplace—and views take you straight outdoors. It's a trademark of the developer, to immediately link trees and fresh air with the interior. "Every home I build has an immedi- ate line of sight to the outdoors," Saeid points out. "Being in Southern California, and espe- cially in a town like Manhattan Beach, living an indoor-outdoor lifestyle is very important." Fleetwood glass doors—spanning floor to ceiling—link the home with the private back- yard. Green trees and shrubs enhance the relaxation factor in the fresh-air lounge, which is equipped with lifestyle comforts like a grill- A R C H I T E C T U R E + D E S I G N