The Grand Dame of Coronado

“European Elegance meets casual California beach lifestyle!” shouts the Zillow intro to 708 A Avenue, purported to be “one of Coronado’s most iconic and significant properties.”

Billed as the “Grand Dame” of the island, the 6872-square-foot residence was built in 1916 under the guidance of Reginald Johnson, ten years before the famed Los Angeles architect went on to design La Jolla’s La Valencia Hotel, among a handful of Southern California landmarks to his credit. It’s believed to be Johnson’s only existing work in Coronado.

The approach to the house from the palm-lined street is through a cobblestone half-circle driveway leading to a French glass entry door. For some reason two small windows flanking the entryway are covered in security bars, which seem out of place in this neighborhood and odder still when considering none of the larger first-floor windows are similarly equipped.

Once we’re past the historic façade with its pleasant Tuscan columns and balconies overlooking the front yard, the style quickly changes. “This masterpiece has recently been modernized, updated, and renovated with no expense spared,” the listing promises. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is a matter of one’s taste.

The floors are covered in a wood-look tile that doesn’t seem out of touch with the vintage coffered ceilings and exposed wood beams. The columns on the exterior walls carry through to the interior.

A formal dining room offers seating for eight and a two-sided fireplace that’s outfitted from floor to ceiling with mirrors on every side. The “gourmet kitchen with all the trimmings” has a diner-style breakfast booth along with an oversized island with prep sink, walk-in pantry, and a new appliance suite. Solid stone counters and a farmhouse-style sink top cabinets that, while new, again seem to fit with the home’s age.

Upstairs we find a bedroom with a wall covered in chalkboard paint and teenager doodles, while a gold orb chandelier dips between exposed rafter beams which are thankfully left unpainted. The deck overlooking the entry is outfitted with a huge hammock in which to lie back and enjoy the view of the neighborhood’s other stately mansions including a huge Tudor castle across the street.

The owner’s suite, while spacious, seems ripped from a modern tract home with flat ceilings, muted grey paint, and modern canned lighting. A pair of white glass chandeliers above the end tables in a private sitting area are a nice touch, though another fireplace strangely surrounded by mirrors is less inviting.

Other luxury appointments include smart home automation software, a private water purification system, radiant heat, and a solar array.

Outside, the grounds take advantage of the half-acre lot. The expansive grassy backyard features a gazebo and, tucked into one corner, a full size pool. To one side of the house grows a neatly-trimmed hedge garden, and a large covered patio includes more entertainment space and an outdoor kitchen with bar.

The property is also home to a detached guest house (with full kitchen) that hosts the two car primary garage along with a secondary garage space just deep enough to house a collection of bikes or motorcycles.

Public records show the current owner of the estate to be Antares Properties, an LLC based out of Dallas, Texas that purchased the property in 2012 for a reported $6,149,000. Since then it’s been listed for sale four times, with asking prices between $8.5 and $13 million all failing to attract a buyer.

The most recent listing went live in early March, the asking price of $12,225,000 remains unchanged to date.

• 708 A Avenue | Coronado, 92118
• Beds: 6 | Baths: 7 | Current Owner: Antares Properties LLC | List Price: $12,225,000