Blufftop home in SoCal's exclusive Montage lists for $29M
A renovated blufftop home in SoCal's exclusive Montage Laguna Beach resort has listed for $29 million, putting one of just 14 ultra-private residences on the resort grounds back on the market after the late General Dynamics CEO James Mellor's estate went up for sale.
Key Takeaways
- The contemporary craftsman sits on Montage Laguna Beach grounds and asks $29 million.
- James Mellor and his wife bought the 2006 home in 2009 for $17.7 million, then expanded it.
- The roughly 6,900-square-foot estate spans a third-acre bluff with Catalina Island views.
- A $2,500 monthly HOA unlocks Montage concierge, security, spa, and beach access.
For buyers tracking luxury real estate and dream homes, the listing is rare: private ownership inside an exclusive coastal resort, not a typical stand-alone hillside estate.
According to Robb Report, the renovated craftsman is newly available through Shauna Covington and Leita Covington of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties after the Mellors' recent passing.
Why does this Montage Laguna Beach listing matter?
Only 14 private homes sit on the Montage Laguna Beach resort campus. That scarcity, plus oceanfront resort services, is what separates this sale from other Laguna Beach bluff listings.
Mellor, the former chairman and CEO of defense contractor General Dynamics, and his wife, Suzanne, purchased the property in July 2009 for $17.7 million. They later hired builder Jim Burningham and architect Chris Light to enlarge living areas, add custom skylights, and install a private spa.
What does the $29 million bluff-top house include?
The wood-and-stone residence offers about 6,900 square feet on two levels, with three potential bedrooms and four bathrooms. Interiors feature hand-finished walnut floors, Venetian plaster walls, and vaulted ceilings lined with 600-year-old timber beams from France.
A fireside living room opens to an ocean-view terrace with a covered lanai, fireplace, and infinity-edge spa. The gourmet kitchen has custom-honed marble counters, dual islands, and a walk-in pantry. The primary wing includes a fireplace, sitting area, soaking tub, steam shower, dual walk-in closets, and an art room.
Downstairs, owners get an office, media room, billiards room with wet bar, and a 690-bottle climate-controlled wine cellar with a tasting area.
How do Montage resort perks factor into the price?
A $2,500 monthly HOA fee covers a dedicated residential concierge team, 24-hour security, in-residence wellness services, and priority dining and spa reservations. Residents also use the 20,000-square-foot Spa Montage and fitness center, oceanfront pools, and Treasure Island Beach access.
In a market where ocean-view Laguna Beach estates already command premiums, packaging a renovated craftsman with full Montage privileges helps explain the $29 million ask for this blufftop home.