la jolla

The Razor Slices Off Another Price Cut

Filed under: Estates

I found out about this one a little too late for our list of biggest price drops but The Razor, an architecturally splendid residence in La Jolla, California would definitely qualify, falling right in the middle of our list with a total drop of $14 million. The architect Wallace E. Cunningham has been deemed one of Architectural Digest's Top 100 Designers and this home is one of his landmark designs. The Razor in La Jolla, California is pleasing slice of concrete and glass positioned for ideal ocean views. When Architectural Digest published a piece about this property in 2008 the owner, Don Cooksey was quoted as saying: "I'll never have a collection better than that view."

The home offers a panorama of sea and sky revealed in a series of curved forms set into the cliffside. The soft angles keep the house from being simply another modern glass box. The 11,000-square-foot home has four bedrooms including a master suite with a large swoop of a fireplace. There is also a two level guest house and private access to Black's Beach. The home hit the market in 2008 for $39 million but is now listed at $25 million.

Gallery: The Razor

Tags: california real estate, la jolla, the razor

La Valencia Hotel, La Jolla: Where Old Meets New

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Not unlike the fine wine it serves, La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla Calif. is one of those things that simply improves with age. One of the hardest balances to strike in the world of luxury hotels is knowing how to retain a property's historic charm and authenticity while providing the most modern of amenities. The Mediterranean-inspired La Valencia is a textbook case of how to do it right.

The charming boutique hotel has been perched atop La Jolla Cove overlooking the Pacific since 1926. The decor, open-air courtyards with hand-painted murals and Spanish mosaic tiles, evoke an old-world luxury, while the rooms come equipped with state-of-the-art steam showers with over-sized rain shower heads, top-of-the-line electronics and free WiFi.

Gallery: La Valencia Hotel, La Jolla

Tags: california travel, hotel review, hotel reviews, la jolla, la valencia hotel

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Roger Revelle In La Jolla, Estate of the Day

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Here's a convenient truth: Dr. Roger Revelle's La Jolla oceanfront home is listed for sale for the first time in 80 years. Revelle, who warned us about global warming way back in 1957, was the mentor to and inspiration for former Vice President Al Gore's long-time campaign to cut down on CO2 emissions.

The 4,165-square-foot home, listed at $14 million, was originally built in 1922 by Rex Clark and Grace Scripps Clark as their summer house. Grace was the daughter of James Edmund Scripps, founder of the Detroit Evening News and one of the key newspapers in the Scripps newspaper chain. In 1947, the home passed to the Clarks' daughter and her husband, the renowned scientist and scholar, Roger Revelle. Because of Revelle's prominence, the home was the venue for frequent entertaining of guests including Eleanor Roosevelt, Jonas Salk and many Nobel laureates from around the world. Revelle was also credited with bringing world-class scientists to UCSD and, as a result of that, making San Diego the home to so many science and research laboratories.

The 5-bedroom estate, which sits on an 18,900-square-foot walled lot, has stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the Whispering Sands Beach. There is a lush garden, fishpond and pool. The property has a 350-square-foot lanai, a detached one-bedroom guesthouse and a large living room with a fireplace, a formal dining room, breakfast room and sun room/office. The main house and guest house border 115 feet of sandy beach.

Dr. Revelle won numerous awards for his scientific research, including a presidential appointment by President John F. Kennedy Jr. and the National Medal of Science from President George W. Bush. Gore became enamored of his work in the 1960s and took on the challenge of climate change as his personal mission. Revelle died in 1991.

Coldwell Banker Previews International agent Linda Marrone, based in La Jolla, has the listing.

Gallery: Roger Revelle In La Jolla

Tags: california real estate, global warming, la jolla, roger revelle

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This Weekend's La Jolla Motor Car Classic features Rita Hayworth's Cadillac

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

As if you needed another reason to go to the beach, or another reason to go the beach in La Jolla, this weekend provides: La Jolla Cove will again host this weekend's La Jolla Motor Car Classic. And while the gathering will be doing its best to honor the works of the hands of some guy by the name of Carroll Shelby (yes, that one), it the honor accorded to Rita Hayworth that you might truly be interested in.

Or at least, that of her Cadillac. Understandably taken with the charms of Lady H, Prince Ali Khan bought her a 1953 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe that was custom built by Carrozzeria Ghia. There are only two of them in the world, and only one of them was owned by the woman who helped Tim Robbins swim through a mile of you-know-what (hint: Shawshank). And yes, it's purple.

There will be other cars there from other lands so you can get your vintage on – British, Italian, German marques, horseless carriages, vintage motorcycles, et al. And there's always that Shelby guy. But come now, we all know that you go for Rita, and stay for the rest. The show begins Sunday, January 10th, at 9:00 a.m.

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Tags: la jolla, la jolla motor car classic, LaJolla, LaJollaMotorCarClassic, rita hayworth, RitaHayworth, vintage, vintage cars, VintageCars

La Jolla Is The Most Expensive Real Estate Market

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Coldwell Banker has released their 2009 Coldwell Banker® Home Price Comparison Index (HPCI) and found that La Jolla, Calif., is the most expensive market. In fact there is an over $2 million gap between what they deem the most expensive and most affordable U.S. housing markets. The comparison of similar 2,200-square foot homes in 310 U.S. housing markets found that the average home price in La Jolla is $2.125 million while at the other end of the spectrum, Grayling, Mich., was the most affordable market in America, where a similarly sized home costs $112,675. California fared badly, 13 other California markets are on the most expensive list while Grayling was one of 20 Midwest communities on the most affordable list (others include Akron, Canton, Detroit and Wichita).

Looking at four-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath homes in the United States, thirty percent of the markets show this type of home to be below $200,000, while half of the markets surveyed showed an average price for this type of home to be less than $300,000 meaning there are deals out there. The cumulative average sales price of the four-bedroom homes surveyed in the 310 U.S. markets (including one in Puerto Rico) covered in the Coldwell Banker HPCI is $363,460.

The mention of La Jolla gave me a chance to check in on one of my favorite estates which happens to be in the seaside town. The Razor was once listed at $39 million, it was $32 million when I covered it in April and is now down to $28 million.

Gallery: The Razor

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Tags: california, grayling, la jolla, LaJolla, michigan, real estate prices, RealEstatePrices

The Razor, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Architect Wallace E. Cunningham has been deemed one of Architectural Digest's Top 100 Designers and today's estate shows why he earned that title. The Razor in La Jolla, California is as perfect a slice of concrete and glass positioned for ideal ocean views. When Architectural Digest published a piece about this property last year the owner, Don Cooksey was quoted as saying :"I'll never have a collection better than that view," says the software designer and entrepreneur. "That's my art. That thing's alive."

The home offers a panorama revealed in a series of curved forms set into the cliffside. The soft angles keep the house from being simply another modern glass box. The 11,000-square-foot home has four bedroom including a master with a large swoop of a fireplace. There is also a two level guest house and features private access to Black's Beach. The home hit the market last July for $39 million but is now listed at $32 million.

UPDATE: As of September 2009 this house is listed at $28 million. Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: The Razor

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Tags: california real estate, CaliforniaRealEstate, don cooksey, DonCooksey, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, la jolla, LaJolla, the razor, TheRazor

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Casa de la Paz, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home is a walk through Southern California history. The home in the gorgeous beachfront area of La Jolla, California was once owned by actor Cliff Robertson. Robertson is probably best known to modern audiences as Uncle Ben in the Spiderman movies but he also won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in "Charly" (based on the book Flowers for Algernon). Robertson bought the 1922 Spanish Colonial in 1963. He restored it and named it Casa de la Paz (house of peace). Real estate developer Ronald Baldwin and his wife Amie bought the home from Robertson in 2005 for $14.5 million (but Mr. Big Time has unearthed the fact that Robertson originally asked $25 million for the home). The eight-bedroom compound has around 6,100 square feet of living space on 1.4 acres. It includes a main residence with multiple fireplaces and a one-bedroom guest house with a kitchen.

The home was designed by and home to Philip Barber for whom La Jolla's Barber Tract (where this home is situated) was named. The home is a registered historical site and therefore qualifies for a tax break. The sellers haven't changed the property but they were planning to. They have massive renovation plans that are in the final stages of review by the city and the Wall Street Journal reports that the two-year process cost about $500,000 in architectural design fees. The addition would turn the main house into a five bedroom, 9205 square foot home with a den, exercise room and sauna. The plans also including adding an oceanfront pool. The home was listed at $28 million but is now $22.5 million. Any guesses on a final price? I'm guessing under $20 million.
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Gallery: Casa de la Paz

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Tags: california real estate, CaliforniaRealEstate, casa de la paz, CasaDeLaPaz, cliff robertson, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, la jolla

La Jolla Estate, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

This house in La Jolla, California has the type of old-fashioned glamour that is often missing in newer homes with a similar style. This home which was built in the 1920s has an Old Hollywood feel even though it is a bit further down the California coast. The home has views of the Pacific Ocean and has undergone a renovation that includes an interactive computerized lighting system, home technology system and a security system with surveillance cameras (a touch of New Hollywood). Another Hollywood touch are the wrought iron railings and light fixtures purchased from the Jayne Mansfield estate and replicated by local artisans. My favorite detail is the mosaic dome. The home was recently reduced to $16.5 million.

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Tags: california real estate, estate of the day, la jolla, LaJolla, luxury real estate

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Seahaus

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Want waterfront property in Southern California? Given the sky-high real estate prices, it's not a bad idea to consider going condo. In La Jolla, where oceanfront land is at a premium, the Seahaus is a new collection of townhouses and condos that offer close proximity to the beach. There are 138 townhomes and condominiums (from 700 to 2,200 square feet) plus retail space, a community meeting room and private recreational facilities including a swimming pool, spa, firepit, barbecue grills and fitness center. Prices ranging from the $400,000s to more than $1 million.

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Tags: california real estate, la jolla, seahaus

Anne Rice's La Jolla Home, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Vampire author turned Christ chronicler Author Rice has put%uFFFD her La Jolla, California home up for sale for $11.5 million. The home is being sold completely furnished because, according to an article on The San Diego Union-Tribune, she is looking for a simpler life. She's not completely giving up the posh life, she is buying a home in Rancho Mirage that had a list price of $4.2 million. The six bedroom home has nine bathrooms, a gym with a sauna and steam room, an upgraded media room, wine cellar, elevator, four-car garage, pool, spa and ocean views. The home sits on one third acre and has a swimming pool, spa, gated motor court and a four car garage. The listing has more pictures and you can definitely tell it's an author's home, there are books everywhere.

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Tags: anne rice, AnneRice, california real estate, celebrity, la jolla, real estate