52 DIGS.NET
| 4.3.26
S W E E T D I G S | 3 2 1 6 T H E S T R A N D
S
et along Manhattan Beach's
celebrated shoreline, in an area
that those in the know call the
Gold Coast, 3216 The Strand is a
masterpiece of beachfront living,
a soaring, precedent-setting work of prestige
architecture rising cinematically from the sand
and overlooking a world-class beach, making
for a jewel of an opportunity as rare as they
come—if they come at all.
"It's a great location," says agent Giovanni
Altamura of this sought-after stretch of the
Strand, which is higher than its flatter south
end, with the bike path well below the houses
and the walking path almost on the same plane,
separated by greenery. "It's private, quiet, and
exclusive, away from the hustle and bustle
and not near any public parking lots." Built
over four years, the house itself is a superior
construction. "The architecture was ahead
of its time," Altamura affirms. More than a
decade into its tenure, the meticulously main-
tained residence presents as recently arrived,
making what was the most expensive property
at the time of its building more priceless still.
Designed by the Strand starchitects at KAA
Design and built by Matt Morris Development,
this striking, four-story spectacle is defined
by its timeless design, painstaking attention
to detail, and pride of ownership with a mari-
time-inspired mix of materials (mahogany,
bronze, glass, stone, and steel cable) mark-
ing the 7,454-square-foot residence as truly
exceptional. "The house is like a Ferrari—
that's the level of quality," Altamura says. "The
owner had seen a bunch of high-end houses on
the Strand but came back to this one because
of that quality. There's so much wow factor."
Reflecting the nautical roots of its original
owners, both experienced sailors, the house was
conceived as a wooden vessel resting atop a
concrete base—a kind of beach-level bulkhead.
Featuring three floors of framed panoramic glass,
the home's striking beachfront façade is a paean
to oceangoing, complete with two-story mahog-
any columns—actual ship masts, designed by
craftsmen from Maine—paired with motorized
panels of white fabric "sails" meant to guard
against wind and ocean glare.
Entry to the house comes at mid-level,
where, past the private gated courtyard and
pivot door, is an interior of sky-high ceilings,
vast glass walls and, fittingly, a boatload of
natural light highlighting exquisite finishes,
board-formed concrete as a design feature, and
custom detail throughout—none more show-
stopping than the sinuous circular staircase.
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