Gaggenau appliances on La Jolla's Coast Walk

Listing materials for the blufftop La Jolla estate at 1585 Coast Walk promise to deliver “without a doubt, one of the best waterfront homes in La Jolla.”

Built in 1986 and designed by celebrated local architect Henry Hester, the “perfectly poised contemporary masterpiece” includes five bedrooms (including an office/den as an optional bedroom) and five baths spread across more than 6000 square feet of indoor living area.

Features include a full-sized commercial elevator from the subterranean four-car garage to the floor’s main and upper levels, full house security and automation with three separate zones of heat and air conditioning, a commercial phone system, and “state of the art electronics and lighting.”

The “connoisseur’s kitchen” features “modern and functional cabinetry, granite countertops and two islands, a breakfast bar, and refrigerated wine storage,” along with “top shelf Gaggenau appliances” imported from Germany (used refrigerators from the high-end manufacturer start at around $5000 on eBay).

The mansion’s “abundant living areas” offer “dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows” facing directly onto the Pacific, offering views from the master, living, dining room, and den that “will hypnotize you the moment you enter each space.”

The 480-square-foot master suite offers a private outdoor terrace, his-and-hers walk-in closets and bathroom vanities, a spa tub with separate steam shower, and even heated towel racks.

Outdoor features include an entry water feature designed by noted Venice, California-based sculptor Eric Orr. Potential buyers can “entertain in style in your spacious oceanfront yard with large grassy area” with “manicured landscaping and a beautiful slate patio....”

“This home scores a PERFECT 10 for High Style, Great Design and an Intelligent Floor plan,” the listing continues. “A rarely available & coveted location which is a short, scenic stroll to the ‘Village of La Jolla’ makes this offering a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The Coast Walk estate was last sold in 1996 to Henry Haimsohn for $2 million. Haimsohn served as president of Pace Membership Warehouse, a Colorado-based competitor to the San Diego–based warehouse club pioneers Sol and Robert Price, whose Price Club eventually sold to Costco (Pace locations became Walmart-owned Sam’s Club in 1994). It currently has an assessed value of just under $2.9 million, which carries an annual property-tax bill of $33,694.

The home has repeatedly been offered for sale in the intervening years without attracting a buyer. It was offered for $9.5 million in 2002, $7.9 million in 2003, $6.5 million in early 2004, and then $9.5 million again by late 2004 before dropping to $5.9 million before the end of the year. The year 2008 saw a $7.75 million offering; in 2009 the price dropped as low as $7 million. Last year the property made a return to the market, carrying an asking price between $8,650,000 and $9,750,000 that remains unchanged to date.