A historic beachfront mansion in Laguna Beach, California, is back on the market this week, with a $2.5 million price cut.
Villa Rockledge, a 12-bedroom, 11-bathroom home embedded in a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, has been on and off the market since 2014, with an initial asking price of $30 million, according to listings on Trulia. It was last listed for $29.5 million in May 2017. The house was taken off the market in December, and relisted for $27 million on Tuesday, according to listing agent Azita Sadeghi of Douglas Elliman.
The house is one of only three Laguna Beach properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1921 by Frank A. Miller, the developer of The Mission Inn in Riverside, California, and designed by architect Arthur Benton.
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Both Miller and Benton were key in promoting Mission Revival architecture in the early 20th century, according to The Mission Inn Foundation.
The original name of the property, Mariona, refers to Mr. Miller’s second wife, Marion, for whom the property was built, according to the listing.
Mr. Miller hosted major media figures at the Mission Revival-style home, such as actress Bette Davis and poet Henry Van Dyke, according to The Altman Brothers, which is co-listing the property.
The house has more than 8,000 square feet of space, with extensive views of the ocean. It is distinct from many other properties in the area, Ms. Sadeghi said, because the stone and red-tile structure was built entirely by hand.
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The main house has five bedrooms, and the property contains four private villas and two attached guest rooms.
The house also features wood-beamed ceilings, an ornamental chimney and multiple balconies and terraces overlooking the ocean.
The property is owned by Scandia Realty Group via Villa Rockledge LLP, which bought the house in 2012. Nobody currently occupies the house, according to Sean Hallgren, operations director for Scandia.
Mr. Hallgren said Scandia has made some key upgrades to the home, without disturbing its architectural character. Among the updates are an automatic gate to the house and a program that allows remote control of lights and music. While it keeps its historic charm, the house is "up to date for 2018," Mr. Hallgren said.