A glassy, three-story spread at 1204 The Strand in Manhattan Beach has snagged the title of priciest home to go under contract in Los Angeles County last week, with a $24.5 million asking price. Sitting just steps from the pier, the contemporary beachfront pad ticks all the classic Strand boxes: wide-open Pacific views, direct sand access and plenty of outdoor space for sunset gatherings.
Market snapshot
That top ranking comes from the weekly luxury roundup compiled by Marcy Roth. According to the Eklund Weekly Luxury Report, the Strand listing led 22 luxury contracts with a combined asking volume of roughly $181.7 million. The report found asking volume was down about 35 percent from the prior week but up nearly 42 percent year over year, underscoring how high-end deal flow can whip around from one week to the next even as the overall market stays elevated.
What’s under contract at 1204 The Strand
The oceanfront residence spans about 5,372 square feet, with four bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, an elevator and a run of outdoor amenity spaces, according to the Redfin listing. Designed by KAA Design Group and completed in 2014, the home features floor-to-ceiling glass, walnut hardwood finishes, an oceanfront office and a primary suite with sweeping views.
The property is listed by Michael Pennings of Estate Properties and first hit the market in mid-April. Redfin’s sale history shows the house last traded in 2018 for $17.4 million.
Ownership and price history
Documents from the California Coastal Commission cited in reporting indicate the current owner is held by a trust tied to philanthropists James and Janis Borroughs, per The Real Deal. The $24.5 million asking price marks a hefty premium over the 2018 sale figure recorded in MLS records and reflects just how scarce and coveted true oceanfront Strand lots remain.
Pasadena’s top contract
The week’s second-priciest contract was across town in Pasadena, where the historic Bauer/Cannell Estate & Gardens at 1220 Hillcrest Avenue is listed just under $20 million on roughly five acres. The Compass listing notes about 15,500 square feet of living area, along with a pool, spa, tennis court, guest house and a motor court that can handle 10 cars. Compass agents Ted Clark and Heather Lillard hold the listing, which also earned a nod as the 2025 Pasadena Showcase House of Design.
Why it matters
For local buyers and sellers, a week headlined by a Strand showpiece and a Pasadena estate is a familiar story: rare oceanfront homes and pedigreed properties still command outsize attention and pricing even when overall volume wobbles. Brokers say the peak of the market is being driven less by broad price moves and more by scarcity, history and one-of-a-kind amenities, a recipe that should keep high-profile listings popping up as summer rolls on.
