Westside DIGS | Digital Edition Online

26 DIGS.NET | 7.15.2022 EDIT 5-pages Sweet Sarah Knauer | S W E E T D I G S | 1 5 3 3 3 D E P A U W S T R E E T M A R K E T L OCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION counsels the popular real estate mantra. Novices think it simply refers to a spot on the map but sophisticated home- buyers know it encompasses the whole range of factors that underpin a home's desirability. It may speak of the proximity to leisure activities, from movie theaters, restaurants and cafes to well-kept tennis courts, popular hiking trails and the beach. Convenience — to grocery stores and farmer's markets, cobbler shops and dry cleaners — is a compelling trait. The axiom may imply the means to escape, so access to airports and freeways are key. Families with children demand great schools. They'll also appreciate the independence granted by a walkable, safe commu- nity. If these qualities figure into your own checklist, 15333 De Pauw Street easily fills in all the boxes. Situated in Pacific Palisades' exclusive Via Bluffs section overlooking the coastline, the area's mesmerizing sunsets and sparkling views of the ocean are a beautiful backdrop to the quiet winding streets. Within walking distance, the bustling area clus- tered around Sunset Boulevard, known to locals as "The Village", puts everything one might need within reach. Yet, despite this area's sophisticated offerings, it has a small town feel built on the forgotten pleasures of bumping into friends and neighbors while out walking the dog, the ritual of sending children off on to walk to the area's highly rated schools on their own or the ability to take care of the afternoon's errands on foot. The home itself fits seamlessly into these bucolic surround- ings. "We always ask ourselves, 'How can we build an architecturally impressive home while also being sensitive to the community?,'" says Metro Capitol Builders' Reza Akef, who created this house. Here that meant a contemporary space whose restrained design doesn't overwhelm its more traditional neighbors. But don't be fooled by its modest first impression. From its soaring 7,4448 square foot, three-story interior to its elevator, to a surfeit of Fleetwood doors that open a good part of the back of the main and lower levels to breathtaking views of the Santa Monica Mountains, Potero Canyon Park and the stun- ning grounds of Palisades Recreation Center, this home hides a treasure trove of secrets waiting to be discovered. The first of these are revealed as soon as you step through the front door into the double height front hallway. "You immediately see that Brazilian Pepper tree," enthuses real estate agent Sarah Knauer. "You get all the majesty of nature at its most magnificent seen through the window of the family room with that stunning gas fireplace. The effect is spectacular and welcoming." This room collaborates with the chef's kitchen — warmed by dramatic Cosentino countertops, a substantial island with seating for a half-dozen, high-end walnut and sleek white cabinetry and an expansive pantry — and the dining space — which spills out onto the top deck and its BBQ bar — in emphasizing these rooms as the home's heart. "It's just so inviting," says co-listing agent Andreas Elsenhans. That feeling is underlined by the unbroken sight lines over Potero Canyon Park. "There will never be anything built behind the house so that will never change," he points out. "When you can look out at night in the summer and see the lit up baseball diamond, there's something so great and so relaxing about that." Plus, he notes, as the park's revitalization project is completed, that lush vista will only get better and better. As an added bonus, the trail, which winds through the park, will extend over the bridge that will arc over the PCH, conferring easy and safe access to the beach. "The homeowner can add a gate in the backyard so they can go directly down to the trail," he suggests. "You can walk right down to the water in about ten minutes."

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