A distinctive oceanfront property in Laguna Beach, California, has been listed for $112 million, potentially setting a new record for the Orange County real estate market. The contemporary residence, which features a cantilevered design extending over the ocean and a retractable wooden roof, occupies approximately 1.02 acres along the coastline.
The sellers, David Wilson and his wife, Holly Wilson, originally acquired the six-bedroom home in 2001 for around $16 million. The 14,400-square-foot compound was initially built in the 1970s by banker Boyd Jefferies and his wife, Sharon Jefferies. Since purchasing the property, the Wilsons have undertaken extensive renovations valued at roughly $20 million, including more than $3 million spent on structural reinforcements designed to prevent erosion and comply with updated building codes.
David Wilson, founder and owner of Wilson Automotive Group—a chain of car dealerships with locations across California, Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico—said the home had been largely unused prior to their purchase. The property also includes a motor court and a private amphitheater, and the Wilsons inherited a wine collection valued at about $1 million as well as an array of artwork featuring pieces by Don Sorenson, Andy Warhol, and Pablo Picasso. Both the wine collection and art are available for separate purchase.
Notable features of the residence include several rooms, such as the great room, library, and primary bedroom, which extend over the ocean and are surrounded on three sides by water. The primary bedroom’s retractable roof, described by Wilson as both a unique entertaining feature and a means for star gazing, exemplifies the home’s blend of luxury and architectural innovation.
The Wilsons have used the property for various events, hosting church and political fundraisers and even hiring the Beach Boys to perform at David Wilson’s 70th birthday party in 2017. The couple relocated full-time to Nevada in 2020 and recently purchased a smaller nearby home, prompting their decision to sell, citing that their grown children no longer require such an expansive estate.
If sold at the asking price, the property would surpass the recent $110 million sale of an oceanfront mansion in Emerald Bay, previously setting a local record. Real estate professionals involved with the listing noted that the high-end market in Orange County has seen increased activity in recent years, attracting affluent buyers from Los Angeles—where new mansion taxes have cooled demand—as well as from Malibu, the San Francisco Bay Area, and New York.
Listing agents Jill Lockhart and Meital Taub, representing Livel Real Estate, emphasized that the property’s asking price reflects its prime location, substantial acreage, and distinctive architectural qualities. They noted a rising trend in high-value Orange County sales, with around a dozen transactions exceeding $25 million so far this year, a jump from nine such sales in the previous year. Lockhart remarked that in this market, the scarcity of outstanding locations is as significant as the size of the properties themselves.