S W E E T D I G S | 5 1 5 M A R I N E AV E N U E
I
n Manhattan Beach's Gas Lamp
District, a strikingly elegant home stands as
a study of what happens when bold vision
meets impeccable execution. At the helm
of the project was Nicole Heininger of Est.
Collective, whose resume reads like a master
class in luxury design: There are years spent
in lofty residential and hospitality projects in
New York, as well as time at Kelly Wearstler
Interior Design in Los Angeles—and now, her
most personal project to date.
"I lived in Manhattan Beach for 10 years prior
to building the house," she explains, "and I had
a desire to build something a little different
than what I was accustomed to seeing."
A LITTLE DIFFERENT
A fusion of expertise and a signature aesthetic
shapes this elegant 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath,
3,734-square-foot residence. The architectural
style defies easy categorization: There's Euro-
pean sophistication and Spanish Mediterranean
influences, filtered through a Modernist lens. The
atmosphere is minimalist yet detailed, sophisti-
cated yet sensible. The home, after all, was meant
to host a growing family and be insta-ready for
entertaining; everything from impromptu after-
beach gatherings and elegant dinner parties to
raucous play dates. "I was designing a home that
would carry us through various life stages with
our growing family," says the designer.
Heininger enlisted architectural firm Laney
LA, known for its fine contemporary residences,
along with general contractor Kevin Lang of
Denton Developments, and the team got to
work fulfilling her brief. "What makes this proj-
ect so compelling is its embrace of originality
and thoughtful design," says real estate agent
Richard Haynes of the innovative residence,
completed in 2020. "It sets a new standard,
far beyond what you usually see in new homes."
OUTSIDE INSIDE
Living is oriented inward, due to a fresh-air
courtyard positioned in the midst of the floor-
plan. Functioning as the central square of the
home, this dramatic feature is framed in slid-
ing glass walls that link the main living spaces,
including living and dining room, kitchen and
playroom. "We felt like it was very important to
have that outdoor space for the kids," Heininger
explains. "All the doors open up to that interior
courtyard and it's so nice for kids, or when we
have guests and are entertaining."
It's also a key to the home's atmosphere.
One is always keenly aware they're in coastal
California, and privy to the powerful light that
shifts kaleidoscope-like through spaces, shap-
ing and shifting the mood no matter the hour.
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