The First Street Residence embodies the Southern California lifestyle, providing bright and airy living spaces and maximizing views of the Pacific Ocean. Located in the Hill Section of Manhattan Beach, this home unfolds across three sloping properties with a main house, pool house, and guesthouse. Rotated to reinforce strong axial views towards the ocean, the main living spaces lead to an infinity edge pool that appears to extend into the Pacific. The entire complex is woven together with a series of landscaped terraces, water features, and gardens.
Above: Two views of the front facade. The entry gate opens into a courtyard with koi pond and lanai. Clad in horizontal stained cedar siding, the volume containing the owner’s office hovers over a panel-formed concrete wall. A steel awning and vertical panel provide shade from the afternoon sun.
At Right: Inside the entry gate a walkway bridges the koi pond and leads to the glass front door. The rough-hewn limestone exterior of the main house provides grounding weight and texture that contrasts beautifully with the mirror-like pond and adjacent green wall.
Below: In addition to rough-hewn limestone, the home’s exterior is a composition of vertical and horizon materials. Vertical metal louvers and scrim provide shade and run perpendicular to the horizontal, stained cedar siding.
Below: These diagrams show how unique the property is composed of three lots. Given its proximity to the ocean and relative elevation, the main house was sited to gracefully descend down and out toward the view.
Above: A view of the lanai from the entry bridge. This serene seating area is located off the living room and is almost completely encircled by the koi pond. The space features a fire pit and ample seating making it perfect for enjoying a sunset.
At Left: One of the residents of the First Street koi pond.
Above: View across the living room out to the lanai through a pocketing sliding glass door. The stone-clad walls throughout the interior of the home are honed Anamosa limestone.
At Right: A ficus benjamina tree serves as a living piece of sculpture in the entry hall and appears to have grown up through the limestone floor. A curving steel and wood staircase encircles the tree and leads to the second floor.
At Left: A glass and steel bridge connects the two sides of the second floor. The staircase visible below leads down to the lower level theater, lounge, wine cellar, and playroom.
Below: A view across the living room towards the dining room and entry hall. A large skylight in the center brings natural light into the space.
At Right: The large main house kitchen is finished with walnut cabinetry and marble countertops. The breakfast area with built-in banquette overlooks the garden. Vertical metal louvers on the exterior filter the afternoon sun.
Below: One of several guest suites with wrap around views of its lush, private garden.
At Left: A view of the study. Walnut bookcases surround a concrete and steel fireplace. Clerestory windows invite additional natural light.
Below: The sky lit primary bath with views of the Pacific Ocean in the distance. Pocketing sliding glass doors open out to a balcony with frosted glass rail. The walls and floors are clad in marble.
At Right: The primary bedroom features large sliding glass doors which, when pocketed away, remove a full corner of the room and open the space out to a private furnished terrace.
Below: A rendered site plan and aerial construction photograph of the three-lot property. The main residence, pool house, and guesthouse are oriented toward the ocean views and connected via numerous water features, pools, and gardens.
Above: A view across the infinity pool back toward the pool house and main house at dusk. The pool surround is sheathed in honed limestone. The stairs lead down to the guesthouse.
At Right: Lush, tropical gardens surround the infinity pool and provide privacy from neighboring properties. A rough-hewn limestone planter frames a side of the pool.
Below: The pool house and bar opens to the expansive pool terrace. Large sliding glass doors all but disappear, creating a perfect environment for entertaining.
First Street
Manhattan Beach, CA
Complete
Architecture
Landscape Architecture
