The most ocean frontage of any Coronado home

“Seashore,” as the waterfront Coronado estate located at 519 Ocean Boulevard is dubbed, lays claim to “the most ocean frontage of any Coronado home,” roughly 250 feet along the peninsula’s southern edge midway between Sunset Park and the Hotel del Coronado.

Constructed in 1915, the 7140-square-foot home contains eight bedrooms, six baths, and was designed by William Sterling Hebbard, one-time partner of the famed local architect Irving Gill and co-designer of the Marston House, now a museum in Balboa Park. The Ocean Boulevard property was originally built for Howard D. Baker, a wealthy widower and classmate of Hebbard at Cornell University.

Interior features include original oak hardwood flooring, coffered beam ceilings, antique wood paneling and hand-crafted crown molding, multiple wood-burning fireplaces, and two staircases to the upper level, including one with wrought-iron balusters in the grand entry foyer. There’s also a wine cellar, billiards room, and breakfast nook in addition to the formal dining room. The master suite occupies 475 square feet of living area on its own and includes a private retreat with ocean-view balcony and elevator access. A third-floor attic houses two bedrooms and a bath and could be built out to provide more living area, as could a full basement.

Outside, “the illustrious porte cochere off of Marina Ave. further defines the historic features of this timeless estate,” while a four-car detached garage also contains a one-bedroom guest house. The two parcels included in the sale, which total more than a half-acre, are covered with grass.

“Known for its architecture, gardens, and social activities through the years, this extraordinary estate has potential for Historic Designation and Mills Act,” the listing continues, referring to a process under which a new owner could reap property-tax benefits by committing to preserve the home in its historical condition.

According to a 1987 entry in the Coronado Eagle and Journal, mining engineer Walter Fitch acquired the property from original owner Baker in 1928. In 1972 it was purchased by Clark and Nina Hartwell of Las Vegas. Clark founded the aerospace company Hartwell Corporation, and following his death in 1986 Nina focused on philanthropic efforts in southern Nevada. She passed away earlier this year.

Due to the long term of ownership and California’s Proposition 13 limiting increases in property taxes, the mansion is valued on tax rolls at just $281,590, resulting in an annual property-tax bill of $3510.

Seashore has been offered for sale twice recently — a yearlong listing beginning in July 2016 for $15 million failed to attract any buyers, and following a few weeks off-market the Hartwell estate re-listed the property in mid-July, this time with an asking price of $13,500,000.