Oldest House In Laguna Beach To Be Rehabbed

The Laguna Beach Heritage Committee recently approved plans to rehab The Pearl Street House, the oldest house in the city, after years of deliberation and discussion with residents and architects.

Laguna Beach’s Design Review Board approved the project 4-1 and rejected a subsequent appeal, 3-2, according to municipal documents. Construction plans are now being drafted and have to be submitted to city officials prior to construction.

The rehab will be carried out by real estate and construction firm Tresor Properties, whose work revolves around luxury coastal homes. The company plans to build a single-family home in addition to the existing two-level, 3-bedroom structure.

The original residence, located in Laguna Village, also features a loft, ocean terrace, and private courtyard, as well as unobstructed views of the ocean. The new home will have nearly 1,500 square feet of living space.

The white cottage-style home on the oceanfront has been around since 1883, and went through various renovations in the 1900s when architect Tom Harper and his family moved in.

The plans were unsurprisingly met with strong opposition. Former Laguna Beach mayor Ann Christoph, who is also a landscape architect, said that the city’s history should be treasured and the home should be left as it is.

Tresor says it has no intention of destroying the structure. CEO John Fishbeck says their intention is to restore the property to give it a longer life, as it won’t be able to withstand much more wear and tear.

Fishbeck added that rather than allow the cottage to deteriorate over the years, Tresor would rather take steps to give it a longer life. The rehab is expected to extend the home’s life by another 100 or 200 years, he said.

 

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Charge Your Electric Car in Laguna Beach
More Luxury Homes Hit Laguna Beach Real Estate Market
Eco-Friendly Mansion On Sale In Laguna Beach For $15 Million