1640 Hillcrest Drive, Laguna Beach, California 92651, Laguna Beach, 92651 - 3 bed, 2 bath

1640 Hillcrest Drive, Laguna Beach, California 92651 home-pic-0
ACTIVE$3,695,000
1640 Hillcrest Drive, Laguna Beach, California 92651
3Beds
2Baths
1,625Sqft
6,174Lot
Year Built
1947
Close
-
List price
$3.69M
Original List price
$3.69M
Price/Sqft
$2,274
HOA
-
Days on market
-
Sold On
-
MLS number
NP25217048
Home ConditionTear down
Features
Excellent View: Bluff, Catalina, City Lights, Coastline, Ocean
Deck
ViewBluff,Catalina,City Lights,Coastline,Ocean

About this home

We found 3 Cons,5 Pros. Rank: price - $3.69M(61th), sqft - 1625(30th), beds - 3(50th), baths - 2(36th).

Exceptional opportunity in North Laguna to build your new dream coastal home with Emerald Bay whitewater ocean views. This property is being offered with FULLY APPROVED CITY PLANS by renowned architect Bob McGraw to expand and remodel into an approximately 2,500 sq ft coastal-cottage-inspired single level residence. Currently a 1,625 sq ft, 3-bedroom, 2-bath single-level home. The new design will be single-level living with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and preseves the vaulted wood-beam ceilings throughout the main living areas. The great room will feature a wood-burning fireplace and expansive bi-folding glass doors opening to a spacious new front deck—perfect for entertaining, grilling, or enjoying dramatic sunsets. An oversized chef’s kitchen with a large center island, custom cabinetry, and generous bar seating flows seamlessly into the dining room and great room. New bi-fold windows with counter seating will capture the ocean views and enhance the experience of morning coffee or evening cocktails. The primary suite is envisioned as a serene retreat with French doors opening to a private back patio, and will have a luxurious bath with dual sinks, soaking tub, walk-in shower, and private water closet. Three additional bedrooms provide flexibility for guests, a home office, or family living—one guest bedroom will have shared patio access, and one guest bedroom will have direct backyard access. The new plan also has a large indoor laundry room, central air conditioning, and a brand new oversized 2-car garage (625+SF) with extra driveway parking. Situated on a functional 6,100 sq ft lot in a highly desirable neighborhood just outside the gates of Emerald Bay. This property is just a short stroll to Crescent Bay Beach and Park, and offers an epic view of the community’s summer fireworks displays. Minutes from Laguna’s vibrant Village, galleries, and dining. With approved plans and permits ready to be pulled, the years of time and expense required for planning have already been saved. New (1 year old) retaining walls too. The new owner will have plenty of upside and can customize their finishes and bring this vision to life. Create your ideal North Laguna sanctuary!

Price History

Date
Event
Price
09/25/25
Listing
$3,695,000
Condition Rating
Tear down

Built in 1947, this property is being marketed primarily as a redevelopment opportunity with 'FULLY APPROVED CITY PLANS to expand and remodel' into a new dream home. The existing kitchen features extremely dated tiled countertops, old white appliances, and dark, flat-panel cabinetry. The bathroom is equally outdated with pink/peach fixtures, tiled walls, and floral wallpaper, indicating no major renovations in many decades. While the living room has some character with vaulted wood-beam ceilings, the critical areas are severely neglected and would require a complete gut renovation. The property's value is clearly based on the land and its potential for a new build, aligning with the 'tear-down' criteria.
Pros & Cons

Pros

Prime Location & Views: Situated in highly desirable North Laguna, just outside the gates of Emerald Bay, offering exceptional whitewater ocean views, proximity to Crescent Bay Beach and Park, and minutes from Laguna's vibrant village, galleries, and dining.
Fully Approved City Plans: The property comes with fully approved city plans by renowned architect Bob McGraw, saving the buyer years of time and significant expense typically associated with the planning and permitting process for a major remodel/expansion.
Significant Expansion Potential: Approved plans allow for a substantial expansion from the current 1,625 sq ft to approximately 2,500 sq ft, transforming it into a modern, single-level coastal-cottage-inspired residence with desirable features like central air conditioning and an oversized 2-car garage.
Customization Opportunity: The approved plans provide a solid foundation, yet allow the new owner the flexibility to customize finishes and details, ensuring the final home perfectly matches their personal style and preferences.
Recent Infrastructure Upgrade: New (1-year-old) retaining walls are already in place, addressing a potentially costly and time-consuming aspect of property maintenance and development, especially for hillside lots.

Cons

Current Condition Requires Major Investment: The property, built in 1947 and currently 1,625 sq ft, is presented as an opportunity to 'build your new dream coastal home,' indicating the existing structure requires significant renovation or a complete rebuild to realize the described vision, rather than being move-in ready.
Substantial Additional Capital Required: While plans are approved, the purchase price does not include the cost of construction. The buyer will need to allocate a significant additional budget for the actual building and customization of the 2,500 sq ft residence.
Construction Period & Disruption: The buyer will face a considerable construction period, involving potential delays, management of the building process, and the inherent disruption of living through or around a construction site before the envisioned dream home is complete.

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