245 Crescent Bay Drive, Laguna Beach, California 92651, Laguna Beach, 92651 - 4 bed, 5 bath

245 Crescent Bay Drive, Laguna Beach, California 92651 home-pic-0
ACTIVE$19,995,000
245 Crescent Bay Drive, Laguna Beach, California 92651
4Beds
5Baths
6,908Sqft
12,850Lot
Year Built
1981
Close
-
List price
$20M
Original List price
$20M
Price/Sqft
$2,894
HOA
-
Days on market
-
Sold On
-
MLS number
NP25183916
Home ConditionFair
Features
Excellent View: Bluff, City Lights, Coastline, Ocean, Panoramic, Water
Patio
ViewBluff,City Lights,Coastline,Ocean,Panoramic,Water

About this home

We found 3 Cons,5 Pros. Rank: price - $20.00M(98th), sqft - 6908(99th), beds - 4(58th), baths - 5(76th).

Magnificently situated on the prized north-western point of Crescent Bay, Chateau du Soleil overlooks the glistening Pacific Ocean, the picturesque curve of Crescent Bay, and a view immortalized countless times in paintings and photographs. This is an extremely rare opportunity to own a legacy estate property with only four previous owners stretching back to the nineteenth century. Anchoring the estate is an expansive oceanfront lawn and gardens – a unique feature rarely found in oceanfront estates along this coast. This generous space provides a special sense of serenity and offers a level of privacy uncommon in oceanfront living. Whether used for entertaining, relaxing or simply taking in the ever-changing light over the water or whale-watching, the space feels like your own private overlook park. The views from inside the home are epic - framed by towering two-story 'windows on the Pacific'. With substantial interior square footage and a forward location on the point, the home would be difficult (if not impossible) to replicate under today’s coastal development restrictions. Currently configured as a four-bedroom home with an abundance of additional flexible-use rooms, the floor plan and size easily lend themselves to a variety of configurations depending on the new owner’s needs. Also unusual in oceanfront properties, this home has three oversized garage bays and driveway parking. For those unfamiliar with Laguna Beach’s Crescent Bay, this stretch of sand is stunningly beautiful and never without something interesting to watch. Waves crash on the tide pools in endlessly interesting patterns, pelicans fly by at eye level as they head back to their nests, colorful umbrellas dot the sand, and the local marine mammal rescue uses this beach to release the seals and sea lions they’ve nursed back to health. It is considered one of the most picturesque spots on the California coast and inspired the artist pilgrimage to the area that established Laguna Beach before the 20th century. Crescent Bay Drive and even this property counts among its owners and residents many of the notable families whose names are still known to this day – Heisler, McKnight, and Florence ‘Pancho’ Barnes. Chateau du Soleil, 245 Crescent Bay Drive, is a singular offering. Spectacular locale, stunning setting, and the required existing building envelope to satisfy dreams. Rare are estate opportunities like this.

Price History

Date
Event
Price
08/18/25
Listing
$19,995,000
Condition Rating
Fair

The property was built in 1981, making it 43 years old. While the home is well-maintained and boasts stunning views, the interior condition, particularly the kitchen and bathrooms, suggests renovations that are approximately 10-20 years old, rather than recent. The kitchen features traditional white cabinetry, dark granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances that are functional but not contemporary. Bathrooms show similar styling with older tile patterns, traditional fixtures, and a jetted tub, indicating updates from a previous era. Furthermore, some areas, such as the wood-paneled room and certain light fixtures (e.g., brass chandelier, track lighting), are distinctly dated. The parquet flooring in the main living areas, while well-kept, also reflects an older style. Overall, the property requires minor updates to bring its aesthetic up to current luxury standards, aligning with the 'Fair' condition criteria for a home built over 20 years ago with renovations between 15 to 30 years ago, where major components are functional but show signs of being outdated.
Pros & Cons

Pros

Unrivaled Oceanfront Location & Views: Magnificently situated on the prized north-western point of Crescent Bay, offering epic, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Crescent Bay, framed by towering two-story windows.
Expansive & Private Oceanfront Grounds: Features an expansive oceanfront lawn and gardens, a unique and rare amenity for coastal estates, providing exceptional serenity and privacy.
Irreplaceable Legacy Estate: A rare legacy estate property, difficult if not impossible to replicate under current coastal development restrictions, ensuring its unique and enduring value.
Substantial & Flexible Interior Space: Boasts substantial interior square footage (6,908 sqft) with an abundance of flexible-use rooms, allowing for diverse configurations to suit a new owner's needs.
Ample Parking: Unusually for an oceanfront property, it includes three oversized garage bays and additional driveway parking, a significant convenience in this area.

Cons

High Price Point: Listed at nearly $20 million, this property targets an extremely exclusive buyer demographic, potentially limiting the pool of interested parties.
Potential for Interior Modernization: Built in 1981, the interior finishes and systems may require significant updates and modernization to align with contemporary luxury standards expected at this price point.
Specialized Buyer Pool: As a 'singular offering' and 'legacy estate,' it appeals to a very niche market, which could result in a longer marketing and sales cycle.

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