Newport Beach Approves Corona del Mar Condo Project

The Newport Beach City Council recently gave the green light for a cluster of luxury condos in Corona del Mar, casting a narrow 4-2 vote in favor of the project in mid-July.

The development, known as the Aerie Project, has drawn controversy because of its large size and proposed location on one of Corona del Mar's famous coastal bluffs. The project will occupy an estimated 61,700 square feet on Carnation Avenue, making it visible from as far as Newport Harbor.

It took several years of approvals, Planning Commission meetings, environmental complaints, and council hearings to get the project approved. The initial proposal was for a seven-story building, but the plans have been modified to reduce it to six levels.

The meeting was attended by a large crowd of Newport Beach locals, including members of the Residents for Responsible Development group who bore signs and stickers saying “No to Aerie, Just too Big.”

Residents are mainly concerned about the Aerie's effect on the bluff's appearance and the view it provides. Many Corona del Mar areas have set strict construction guidelines to preserve these qualities. One resident cited the primarily residential nature of the bluffs, saying they were not “devoted to be Taj Mahals.”

Some locals in attendance were in favor of the Aerie, saying it could greatly improve the neighborhood and increase home values. One resident said that developer Richard Julian was very communicative to locals and made sincere efforts to be a good neighbor.

Julian purchased the site in 2002, with plans to convert the 60-year-old apartment building into a luxury condo complex. Architect Brion Jeannette, known for designing the $75-million Portabello Estate in Corona del Mar, was tapped to design the development.

The Aerie would include eight luxury condominiums, with a private deck and pool for each unit. There would also be an elevator designed to take homeowners' cars to the underground parking levels.

 

Earlier in Newport Beach Real Estate News:
Newport Wins Award for Best Beaches
Newport Beach Home On Private Island Hits Market for $28 Million
Old Newport Beach Building To Be Transformed