Nicholson new–build home sells for CdM record amount of $48,500,000 by VALIA Properties
Tom Nicholson of Nicholson Companies has spent the last half-decade working alongside the counsel of VALIA Properties, putting together plans for an incredible new-build residence at 3512 Ocean Blvd. in Corona del Mar. Collectively, they realized the rewards of the work this week, when the property closed for a CdM record amount of $48,500,000.
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Courtesy of VALIA Properties
A Tom Nicholson new build was sold by VALIA Properties this week for a CdM record amount of $48,500,000
As Steve Sergi of VALIA told me, the property is special…“one of one.” It is located on a deeper, elevated, two-lot combo parcel across Ocean Boulevard, overlooking the Pacific from the living room and master bedroom, including a western-facing position looking up the coastline to encompass views of Lookout Point, Catalina Island, Palos Verdes and more.
Sitting opposite Inspiration Point, imagine just under 12,000 livable sq. ft. with five bedrooms, 11 baths, 4,000 sq. ft. of outdoor space replete with a pool, and a nearly 2,000-sq.-ft. rooftop terrace. Inside, it’s three levels, including one floor that’s subterranean.
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Photo by Andrew Bramaso/Courtesy of VALIA Properties
Situated opposite Inspiration Point, the 4,000 sq. ft. of outdoor space features a glistening pool
The property itself was owned previously for 60 years by the same family. VALIA Properties, who also negotiated that sale back then, most recently had it on the market “for just 2 1/2 months, with dozens of showings, specifically designed for someone looking for something spectacular,” according for Sergi.
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Photo by Andrew Bramaso/Courtesy of VALIA Properties
The nearly 2,000-sq.-ft. rooftop terrace offers endless whitewater vistas
VALIA represented Nicholson in the sale, and Sergi credited a “overall collaborative effort by the entire VALIA team to make the sale happen.”
Geoff Surnich Design was the architect and Lisa McDennon Interior Design was responsible for the finishing touches.
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The countdown is on to festivities for the grand opening weekend of Witte Hall just a days away, with the Open House & Family Summer Celebration planned for a week from Saturday (July 11) at 2-4 p.m., followed by an author lecture event with surf legend Shaun Tomson later that evening at 7 p.m. and then a Sunday Musicale featuring a cello quartet on Sunday, July 12 at 3 p.m.
All events during opening weekend are free and will take place in Witte Hall. Registration is required for the Shaun Tomson event at newportbeachlibrary.org. No registration is required for either the Open House or the Sunday Musicale.
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Witte Hall photos by Ed Olen
Witte Hall, situated next to Newport Beach’s Central Public Library, is the culmination of work begun in February 2025 to create a cultural facility/lecture hall/civic auditorium
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The Library Lecture Hall Design Committee selected Robert Coffee + Associates to design the state-of-the-art facility
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The new 9,815-sq.-ft. facility seats 299 and is supported with sophisticated audio/visual technology
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Just over a year ago, Hoag attempted to buy the iconic Ziggurat Federal Office Building in South Orange County when it was offered through auction. Despite being the top bidder at the time, the sale was canceled shortly after they were announced as the auction’s winner.
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Photo by Carol M. Highsmith who stipulated her photographs are in the public domain/Courtesy of Library of Congress
The Chet Holifield Federal Building, also commonly known as the “Ziggurat”
Perhaps the second time will bring better luck. Known as the Chet Holifield Federal Building and located in Laguna Niguel, the building was announced as sold earlier this week to Laguna Ridge Health Care Development LLC, a reported affiliate of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian.
The building was initially built between 1968 and 1971 for North American Aviation/Rockwell International and designed by William Pereira. The 1,000,000+ sq. ft. building sits on a 92-acre parcel of land.
No further plans as to what Hoag’s plans are for the property have been announced.
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Did you know that July 4th is one of the highest intake days for animal shelters, period! Why? Fireworks celebrations, of course; many pets simply get scared and/or confused with the loud noises and unfamiliar activity.
This year, shelters throughout the area are urging pet owners to be prepared before the festivities begin.
A group of six local OC shelters, including the city of Newport Beach’s facility, are uniting to promote July 4th pet safety.
According to them, here are some simple ways to help reduce pets’ stress during fireworks displays.
–Keep pets indoors and provide a quiet, comfortable space where they feel safe and secure.
–Background noise from a television, radio, or fan can help mask the sound of fireworks and create a calmer environment.
–Additionally, giving pets plenty of exercise earlier in the day may help them feel more relaxed and settled as the evening approaches.
–Pet owners are also encouraged to ensure their pet’s license is current, collars are securely fitted with tags displaying up-to-date contact information and microchip registration details are accurate.
Taking these simple preventive steps can help keep animals safe, reduce stress and support their comfort, so they can hopefully remain at home, where they belong.
And although there are no guarantees, these steps can greatly improve the chances of a quick reunion should the worst happen.
Collaborating shelters in addition to Newport Beach include Coastal Animal Services Authority (C.A.S.A) in San Clemente, Irvine Animal Care Center, Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, Mission Viejo Animal Services and Orange County Animal Care.
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The Newport Beach Firefighters Association applauds the City Council’s decision in the 2026-27 city budget to restore full four-firefighter staffing to Truck 2 on the Balboa Peninsula. The staffing restoration, moving from three-person crews to four-person crews on Truck 2 will take effect this Monday, July 6, with the 7:30 a.m. shift change at NBFD Station 2.
“Restoring the fourth firefighter improves public safety, and means the people who live, work and visit on the Peninsula will be better protected when seconds matter most,” said Robert Salerno, Newport Beach firefighters union president.
Fire service research has repeatedly shown that staffing levels directly affect how quickly firefighters can carry out critical tasks. Four-person crews are proven to complete essential firefighting and rescue tasks 25% faster than three-person crews, with faster search and rescue, faster laddering and ventilation, and faster water application.
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Congrats to the Balboa Island Improvement Association, a group led by President Sue Pearl. In just a short period of time, the association raised the money to install a flagpole with yardarm and landscaping on the median at Marine and Park avenues, complete with up-lighting, to commemorate America’s 250th Anniversary, affording them the opportunity to proudly display an American flag of their own.
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Courtesy of BIIA
The wonderful new flagpole on Balboa Island commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary
