A splendid reuse in Marina
Imagine coming home to cool breezes with the unmistakable scent of the ocean. Visualize a community that so honors the environment, it ably incorporates not only ample green open space but also an ancient grove of oaks. Think of a cluster of developments where your house does not look exactly like your neighbor’s. And where, instead of being cloistered behind a gate, you eagerly delight in what the surrounding area has to offer, from nearby beaches, golf courses and fitness facilities to shops, cinemas and restaurants. Picture all this, on prime land of a former military base.
The Dunes on Monterey Bay and Sea Haven Preserve and Residences at Monterey Bay are stellar examples of splendid reuse. Situated on land of the former Fort Ord in the city of Marina, the developments, between them, feature 1,500-squarefoot to 3,600-plus-square-foot residences at prices that sound unbelievably low to Bay Area denizens. Some properties even boast ocean views and medium to large lots.
The Dunes — developed by a partnership that includes Marina Community Partners, a subsidiary of Shea Homes — includes not only a residential neighborhood but retail, restaurants, hotel, cinemas, a business park and medical facilities. Residents of both The Dunes and Sea Haven are literally steps away from shopping, dining and opportunities to work out.
Among the highlights of the varied Dunes floor plans is the Boat House. Priced at $1 millionplus, each property includes a 2,600-squarefoot to 3,100-squarefoot main home and a three-car garage with a full one-bedroom apartment above. Of the 30 Boat Houses planned, 12 have already been sold, according to Josh Miller of Shea Homes. The setup can be turned to many purposes. Owners have been known to rent out one structure while living in the other or to accommodate a family member’s need for private space. The Beach Houses — three- to fivebedroom, two-and-ahalf to three-bathroom homes of approximately 2,129 square feet to 2,430 square feet — start in the $700,000 range.
Just down the road from The Dunes is Sea Haven. Central Valley builder Wathen Castanos developed the Layia and Villosa neighborhoods. They feature single-story and two-story floor plans with a high degree of customizability.
“We’re different from a lot of developments around here,” states Thomas Zebrowski of Wathen Castanos. “People can pick the floor plan on the lot of their choosing.” In addition, some plans include structural options, such as a fourth bedroom in place of a loft space on a home’s second level.
Wathen Castanos has recently purchased 800 additional lots for development.
At Larkspur by Renasci Homes — the third Sea Haven neighborhood — one can find 1,500-squarefoot to 1,900-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-anda-half-bathroom homes in a number of elevations. Prices start in the mid-$600,000 range. Not surprisingly, the pace of sales is swift.
“We only have 11 lots left in our master phase one right now,” says Ashley MeilanWayland of Renasci Homes. “So we’re selling pretty quickly, and right now our latest phase is projected to be done by the end of December.”
Whatever the architectural style — among them, Cottage, Ranch and Bungalow — home interiors at both Marina developments incorporate an airy, open feel that suits the natural surroundings. The beach is less than 2 miles away.
“We’re really lucky to have the prime northwest corner of the old Fort Ord base,” Miller states. “So we span almost 4 miles of oceanfront, and we (are near) a state park.” The Dunes and Sea Haven also feature several pocket parks and accessibility to miles of trails. The upshot? According to Miller, Dunes residents have access to much of what a high-HOA community would offer without the hefty price tag. “Our HOA fees are always projected to be less than $200 a month.”
What’s more, stateof-the-art fitness facilities are within easy walking distance of all three neighborhoods.
“Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula Wellness Center ... not only is a great medical facility,” he enthuses, “but they also have a state-ofthe-art gym that’s just fantastic.” Remarkably, CHOMP, which includes two indoor heated pools, offers Dunes residents a special rate of $50 per month.
A less comprehensive nearby gym is just $20 a month, Miller reports. And CSU Monterey Bay opens its swimming pool to the public as well.
Moreover, as to gathering space, “there are three churches just north of the community” that offer meeting and event space to all, he says. Walkability is key. “People are attracted to the proximity to the ocean and to Monterey,” Miller notes. “But really what sells them is the fact that you come home on a Friday. You park your car in the garage, and you don’t need to look at it again until you have to go back to work . ... You can walk to movies, you can walk to dinner. You can walk to the beach, you can walk to whatever you need. We have everything right here.”
Diversity is another attraction.
“Ultimately, the community got put together with just an amazing group of people,” reports Miller. “We have people from all walks of life … with lots of different employment backgrounds … which is pretty unique.” Meilan-Wayland and Zebrowski also indicate there is a diversity among Sea Haven buyers.
What’s more, from Highway 1, it’s 10 minutes by car to Monterey, about 15 minutes to Carmel and 20 minutes to Pebble Beach.
Ocean views and proximity to entertainment, retail and recreation account for a lot. But what gets buyers to sign on the dotted line, according to Marina builders, is value.
“Everywhere else on the Peninsula,” advises Meilan-Wayland, “you’re going to be getting a 50-plus-yearold home that comes with all those (upkeep) issues. I’m kind of calling this area ‘newer’ Marina. It’s a really neat thing for people to be able to buy something new where they can live essentially maintenance free… for a period of time.”
“It’s just an unbelievable value,” exclaims Miller. “People from the Bay Area come down here, and they’re just amazed at what they can get for the price. It’s really the best value up and down the coast of California that you’re going to find.”