Listing of the Day
Location: Laguna Beach, CaliforniaPrice: $59.9 million
It’s fair to say that, after four years of design and four years of construction, Ron Loder is correct in calling his house high above the Pacific Ocean a “labor of love.” Mr. Loder, a financial services entrepreneur, and his wife, Yolanda, traveled up and down the California coast, sourcing materials and meeting with contractors. Their efforts took them to design showrooms in New York City, and across France and Italy.
At one point, traveling to Santa Barbara for a monthly meeting with their architects, the Loders visited the Getty Villa in Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades. They were “blown away” by the museum’s opulent terrazzo floors and decided that their home could use a similar touch.
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The Loders tracked down the Getty’s terrazzo supplier and persuaded the Corradini Corp. to sign on, despite the firm’s general rule against residential projects. The result: In 2011, the residence won an award from the National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association.
The couple balanced their love for Classical design with an appreciation for modern influences—as demonstrated by the mostly midcentury interiors, which include several Murano glass pieces, and the 1965 Taki Fountain Sculpture that once adorned Los Angeles’ Columbia Savings Bank Building and now sits across from the property’s guesthouse.
Then, there’s the guesthouse itself, modeled after the Philip Johnson Glass House in New Canaan, Conn. “I’ve always been drawn to juxtaposition,” Mr. Loder said. “I love unexpected architectural pairings, like I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid in front of the Palais du Louvre.”
The Stats
Totaling 18,000 square feet, the property comprises a main house and a guesthouse. The main house has four bedroom suites, along with several additional rooms that can be configured as bedrooms. There are eight bathrooms and two powder rooms. Set on just over an acre, the property includes an eight-car garage and a motor court.
Design Pedigree
The home was designed by Warner Group Architects, a firm ranked four times by Architectural Digest as one of the 100 best architects and designers in the world. Founding partner Jack Warner spearheaded the design team. It was one of the last homes he worked on before he passed away in 2012.
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For the interiors, the Loders commissioned Passione, a design firm based in Irvine, Calif.
Amenities
The property features an oceanfront swimming pool, as well as a cabana with its own entry and a full bathroom. Inside the home, there’s a wine cellar and a tasting room. The fitness center includes massage rooms and a spa. There’s also a room for billiards or table tennis, in addition to a theater with an adjacent full bar.
Neighborhood Notes
The Loders purchased the land from one of the last heirs of the Irvine family, who had owned it since Spanish land grants were issued in the 19th century. Located about halfway between Santa Monica and the Mexican border (“arguably the nicest part of Southern California,” Mr. Loder said), the house is situated on a bluff 25 feet above the Pacific Ocean. It is part of a gated community with access to a private beach.
Agent: Rod Daley, Rod Daley Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)
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