Smithcliffs (House), 10010 North Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA

Significance: non-architecturally significant/historically significant based on location and ownership / The residence is located on a 10.4-acre parcel in unincorporated Orange County, north of the City of Laguna Beach. The property is bordered to the north by the single family residential community of Emerald Bay, to the east by the Pacific Coast Highway, to the south by single family and multi-family residential units, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. The street address of the property is 10010 North Pacific Coast Highway. Entrance to the property is provided from the Pacific Coast Highway through an ornate and concrete wrought iron gate. The site is currently developed with a main house, three caretaker structures, an aviary, two outside patios, and a gazebo. Historically, the main house was primarily used as a second family residence. The three other residential structures on the estate were built shortly after the main residence was built for the purpose of housing the chauffeur, gardener, and maid. In 1929, ornamental gardens were planted on the majority of the estate and two outside patios and a gazebo were constructed at various viewpoints. A survey of the style of the main residential structure defies categorization, but could mostly be described as a modified bungalow. It appears in review of the structural features that the purpose of the design of the structure was to emphasize the surroundings. The house is large, without detailing and embellishment. The rooms are focused with large plate glass windows overlooking the ocean. Moldings, light fixtures, cabinets, and other detailed features within the structure are modest. The main room is the living room. It consists of a large living room with a central fire place. The room opens out onto a covered patio which faces the ocean. Two bedrooms and three bathrooms are located on the first floor. A large plain stairwell extends to the upstairs portion of the structure with a hallway which opens into the master bedroom and five smaller bedrooms.
Survey number: HABS CA-2298