Creating a Masterpiece

We are Tresor Properties. We focus on finding unique properties and creating exceptional living spaces for the most exceptional lifestyles. Sounds like fun but its not for the faint of heart, I assure you. What's essential is a passion for creativity, commitment, innovation and experience. Not to mention a courage to commit a sizable amount of capital to set out to create something that will be sought out by the most discernible clientele.

Creating a masterpiece is not easy when you consider the barriers associated with the current economic times, city approvals and resistance to change. One local developer in a public forum stated quite eloquently that his project "was not a development project but a political campaign and should be treated as such". An interesting take on what we go through as developers. But does it have to be that way? Some think so, and they subsequently earn a living by helping developers navigate the land mines of development of Laguna Beach. For obvious reasons, its a symbiotic relationship. And for alot of years its necessary evil due to developers taking advantage of the delicate landscape of one of the most cherished beach communities in California.

We see it a little differently and are trying to establish a standard that fosters responsible development with some of the most difficult properties to enhance in Laguna Beach. Take for instance the Wendt home, built originally by William Wendt; the Oldest Home in Laguna located at 154 Pearl Street built originally with wood from ship wrecked timbers back in 1883 to the Ocean Front homes currently be built on Anita Beach. We feel we its imperative that in an environmentally sensitive area we have to incorporate responsible building practices. From deconstruction of existing structures, to environmentally safe materials, to sustainable building quality and energy efficiency, not to mention renewable energy technology. All the while working hand in hand with the community to give back whenever possible to lay a foundation of trust and karma.

The objective of this blog is to document and intricate nature of creating of some of the most unique and exciting properties in Laguna. It will entail us sharing the experience of dealing with form and function as well as working with the city of Laguna and local professionals that make this place one of the best places on earth. I hope you enjoy whats to come and as always ask questions and/or make comments to make this a insightful experience.

Oceanfront: The Beginning

As always we were on the hunt. We knew it was there, and we knew it wasn't going to be cheap. It had gone off the market months earlier and was just lying silent and unoccupied like a $100 bill on the sidewalk of Pacific Coast Highway. Why wasn't anyone picking it up? Why was it abandoned? And more importantly, what was the status of one of the most unique and under developed pieces of dirt in Laguna Beach?

Jeff made the move one Friday afternoon after the typical partner meeting at Wahoo's on PCH. After talking to three neighbor's and connecting via phone with the Architect (Mark Singer), the connection was established and the ball was essentially in the owners hands. If he wanted to sell, we would soon find out.


Thirty minutes had gone by and the owner was on the line. The verbal negotiations were over in less than three hours. Contracts were signed in less than three days. And when the dust finally settled we were on course with owning one of the most significant ocean front properties in Laguna Beach. That's when reality set in and we were poised to kick the tires on the property commonly known, in the surfer community, as the Epic House.