Not just a house — a “dramatic sculpture”

Listing materials touting the oceanfront property at 9046 La Jolla Shores Lane — situated on the northern bluffs of La Jolla within a small enclave of luxury homes adjacent to the UC San Diego campus — invite potential buyers to “experience the magic” immediately upon passing through “a dramatic gate to a private paradise designed to celebrate the...equinox.”

“This property can be described as a dramatic sculpture, a warm and welcoming home, ‘one-of-a-kind’ and truly extraordinary.”

The 9083-square-foot circular residence was designed by local architects Ken Rochetti and Arthur Porras, built on a 2.4-acre bluff-top site in 1996. It features five bedroom suites and eight baths, with “breathtaking canyon, coastal, cove & sunset views” from most living areas, including the master bath.

The pool passes under the house to another entertainment area.

“Quality abounds with luxurious materials and finishes,” marketing brags, including “exotic woods, gleaming granite, combed stucco, curved glass and warm stone.” Architectural features include sculpted wave patterns and walls of curved glass providing views of “waves breaking on the beach and north coast” below.

A family/great room area serves as a combination theater, library, and office, while the “spectacular master suite enjoys pool, garden and ocean views, a beautiful fireplace, a skylight opening to the moon and stars, his and her baths and dressing rooms plus a gym.” The kitchen is adjacent to both a formal dining room and second casual-dining area.

Outside, the property features a “dramatic” pool with spa and heated stone patio with fireplace (one of four) at one end in the center courtyard. The long, rectangular pool then passes underneath the house, emerging on the ocean-facing side of the property to meet another outdoor entertainment area and lawn.

The home was originally listed for sale in February 2012 by the estate of Sheila and Hughes Potiker, Detroit locals who amassed a fortune selling books of discount coupons for restaurants and attractions in locales across the country. The Potikers were involved in the home’s design and construction.

Following the sale of the business, the couple retired to La Jolla, where they’d long maintained a second home and became involved in local philanthropy. Notable projects included funding the Sheila & Hughes Potiker Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse on the UCSD campus, the cultural-arts wing of the San Diego Jewish Community Center, and the Potiker Family Senior Residence for low-income retirees, among other ventures.

Mr. Potiker died in 2005. Sheila remained in the La Jolla area until her passing in 2011.

The property found no takers at its original asking price of $19 million, a price that was reduced to $17 million before its listing expired in August 2013. It was re-listed a few weeks later with a new price of $15.5 million, which was subsequently lowered to $14.5 million in June and remains unchanged.