Located above a secluded little cove in Three Arch Bay, this property holds a special place in my heart, and I will always be grateful for the role I played in shaping its history. While this project is frequently referred to as a remodel, this is most certainly an understatement.  This quintessential beach house and its grounds were lovingly restored over the course of four years, spearheaded by extraordinary clients, and executed by a team of talented design professionals and dedicated craftsmen; culminating in a listing on the National Registry of Historic Places.  Dilapidated architectural elements were refurbished or replaced ‘in kind’; new interior millwork was custom designed and milled to replicate the original details; and our team of experts took extraordinary measures to seamlessly blend the new with the old.

In addition to the main house, the large property includes two guest cottages, the original two-car garage, a newer four-car garage, and a locally celebrated lighthouse with a private stairway descent to the sand and one of the few cliffside swimming pools refilled daily by ocean tides. The home was originally built in 1927 by Edward H. Griffith, a famous film director, producer, and screenwriter in early American filmmaking, and husband to movie actress America Chedister.  It was rumored that the Griffith’s deep love of the sea inspired the home’s nautical style with an extensive use of wood paneled walls, porthole windows, and other nautical details throughout the property. They went so far as extracting a boat’s cabin to create the teak-paneled guest suite situated at the center of the property, to which a loft was later added. After Griffith’s passing in the 1970’s, age and neglect took their toll on the property.  Fortunately for all, our clients were undeterred by its condition and reimagined this Hollywood star refuge as a perfect place to retire.