The word "wow" is high-impact. It's short, but it tells you a lot.
The speaker, or the writer, who uses "wow" is trying to tell you that something they're describing is new, special, more deeply impressive than perhaps they were prepared for.
But "wow" doesn't say enough about the new listing at 3216 The…
The word "wow" is high-impact. It's short, but it tells you a lot.
The speaker, or the writer, who uses "wow" is trying to tell you that something they're describing is new, special, more deeply impressive than perhaps they were prepared for.
But "wow" doesn't say enough about the new listing at 3216 The Strand (5br/8ba, 7450 sqft.) in Manhattan Beach.
Instead, we'll try sharing a lot more words and pictures to give you a sense of this extraordinary property.
Your expectations should be set when you learn that it's on The Strand, typically home to Manhattan Beach's priciest real estate, and often its most luxurious homes.
Then you see it's more than 7,000 sqft., which means there will be lots of levels. And that slightly northern location is seen by many as one of the best and most private stretches of beach in town.
Finally, get a load of that starting price of $30 million, already more than $10M over the record price for a publicly listed home on The Strand (set last year). It tells you they know they've got something special and ultra-precious here.
Take those expectations to the front door of 3216 The Strand, and you won't be disappointed. You'll be flabbergasted by how much better the home is in person than they can possibly convey or suggest in words, photos or 3D tours. (Did we say 3D tour? It's right here.)
A custom home surely years in the making and completed in 2013, 3216 The Strand nonetheless feels almost new. And somehow timeless.
And while opulent in every way, with the highest-grade everything throughout, the home manages something that is quite rare for a high-end property. It feels warm, comfortable and inviting enough to be almost a casual retreat.
You must look at all the photos in the listing, and see the 3D walkthrough/tour. Here are a few observations on features that really made us say "wow."
Home gym and spa room. Having a home gym has been a huge plus, never more so than in the past 2 years. But even a purpose-built home gym is rarely quite big enough, and you'll see rubber flooring or carpet. Here, the home gym is graced by elegant wood flooring, more than adequate space for a whole spectrum of equipment, and of course, a high-end flat screen TV on one wall. You know the sound system kills.
But then... the spa room next door! A spacious hot tub is set into its own room, with dark walls and a waterfall feature along stone on the back wall.
An adjoining full bath includes a side door to the outside and walk-through shower area. Just inside, there's a purpose-built sprayer to wash off sandy toes, then a full, open shower that serves equally well for post-beach or post-workout.
Understated but perfect home theater plus wine room. Down at the lowest level of the home, you'll find an appropriately darkened home theater that's perfectly sized for the purpose, with casual, comfy sofa-style seating, a sizable screen and great sound.
What's that? Can't agree on a show or game? Right outside the theater, there's another family room with its own TV.
Thirsty? Just down the hall is a vast, glass-enclosed, nicely decorated wine tasting room.
5-star commercial-quality oceanfront bar. A full bar at home? Yes yes, very nice. But this one is a cut above the rest, including some we've seen elsewhere on The Strand. The build, the materials, the equipment (2 fridges, pellet icemaker, taps for beer and wine) mirror a world-class hotel's. (They're also showing the bar fully stocked, with only the best.) Tuck away the floor-to-ceiling glass doors and you're just looking right out at the Pacific Ocean.
Oh, did we mention the pool table? The comfy corner couch? Or the office nook and guest suite (lucky, lucky guest!) just behind the bar area?
Primary suite with two closets and nested office. The primary bedroom features a treasured view to the south through sliding doors that can pull away from both sides of a corner, making bed almost an indoor-outdoor proposition. There are sizable walk-in closets for two, and small but bright home office for those late-night or early-morning calls (the ones that make homes like this possible).
The bath is casual elegance. The shower enclosure... doesn't exist. It's a whole area by the glass sliding doors, featuring a high shower head and wand, all next to the tub. There's a grand view of the Pacific from the shower area. (Would you?)
Indoor/outdoor living upstairs. The top level features the primary living room, formal dining and outstanding kitchen. (There are also two kid-size bedrooms in back, with a bath and a kids' living room tucked out of circulation.)
Somehow, through both the choice of building materials and expert furnishing and decor, the space feels profoundly comfy and cozy, not the least bit sharp or overly opulent. It is a wonder to see elegance delivered with such subtlety.
It all continues out to a very sizable covered patio area with enough space for dining, a sofa, barbeque and more.
It almost does not need to be said that this is the peak of the peak, the top of the top, with views across the whole Santa Monica Bay, which feel like yours and yours alone while you're there.
Like we said: Wow.
Please see our blog disclaimer.
Listings presented above are supplied via the MLS and are brokered by a variety of agents and firms, not Dave Fratello or Edge Real Estate Agency, unless so stated with the listing. Images and links to properties above lead to a full MLS display of information, including home details, lot size, all photos, and listing broker and agent information and contact information.