A spectacular eight-bedroom coastal retreat with every over-the-top amenity imaginable, including a rotating bed and stargazing roof, has just sold in Laguna Beach for a record-breaking $82,569,990.
After hitting the market for an astonishing $112 million in July 2026, the 14,434-square-foot waterfront estate snagged a buyer 82 days later. Despite selling for about 26% below its asking price, the sale still set records.
“This is the highest sale ever in Orange County for a house listed on the MLS,” says Meital Taub, who co-listed the property with Jill Lockhart, both of Livel Real Estate. “There was one off-market sale that was higher than ours, so technically, we’re No. 2 in that ranking.”
Eye-popping amenities include a chef’s kitchen with professional-grade
Eye-popping amenities include a chef’s kitchen with professional-grade appliances, a sculptural spiral staircase with a glass floor leading to a library appearing to float above the Pacific, and a primary suite with a rotating bed nestled “beneath an operable ceiling that opens to the stars.”
More than 2,000 square feet of oceanfront terraces overlook a pool and spa.
“When you put a property of that magnitude on the market, you understand that the buyer pool is very limited,” Taub notes.
“We were actually very surprised by how much activity we had, simply because of the uniqueness of the property. We had substantial interest, which was really great. The property was shown multiple times, and we had interest from more than one buyer.”
Built in 1974, the 1.02-acre compound was sold
Built in 1974, the 1.02-acre compound was sold by auto dealership owner David Wilson and his wife, Holly Wilson, who purchased it “for around $16 million in 2001,” according to the Wall Street Journal.
“You’re basically buying resort-style living,” Lockhart says. “You’ve got a wellness spa, a tennis court, and direct beach access, so it goes way beyond purchasing a home. That’s what we’re seeing with high net worth buyers in general.
“They’re looking for opportunities to have an elevated lifestyle and a safe environment by the sea. It goes beyond the average home purchase, and I think that’s the draw that Orange County has in general.”
Other lavish amenities found at the Fred Briggs–designed
Other lavish amenities found at the Fred Briggs–designed estate include a private cinema; a wine cellar; a wellness retreat with a fitness studio, sauna, and rock waterfall; a two-bedroom guesthouse; an eight-car garage with a catering kitchen; a private amphitheater; and an ocean-facing championship tennis court.
Lockhart says they initially discussed not putting the home on the market and opting instead for a private sale, but “the seller was serious about selling, and their intention was to get the deal closed.
“Therefore, the best way to get the most buyers through the door was to put it on the MLS,” adds Lockhart. “That gives everybody a fair chance to see the property and make their highest and best offer. The decision was well thought out. It was intentional, and it was made with the goal of selling the house.”
Taub notes that their buyer pool included investors from Los Angeles and Northern California.
People really value the lifestyle we have here,
“People really value the lifestyle we have here,” she explains. “It’s remarkable, especially the lifestyle and the weather. Los Angeles buyers are also coming because of the constraints they face with the ULA tax. It’s far enough away to feel like a vacation, but close enough that you’re still connected to everything and can maintain your lifestyle and whatever you’re doing.”
According to Taub, Orange County’s ultraluxury market, with sales of $25 million and up, has recently been gaining traction.
“If you look at the past three years, the number of sales in Orange County has increased,” she notes. “The $25 million-plus segment, which represents ultrahigh net worth buyers, is showing activity. People are choosing lifestyle, especially when it comes to landmark properties like this one.
This property isn’t in a gated community
“This property isn’t in a gated community. It sits on its own large parcel, and it’s a really unique type of property. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime property. People recognized that.”
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Kellie Speed is a contributor to Realtor.com. As a writer and editor, she has worked for a variety of online and print publications, including Inked magazine, Jetset, Westchester magazine, JustLuxe, The Boston Globe, and U.S. Veterans Magazine. A Massachusetts native, Kellie attended Northeastern University for journalism, was previously the Boston editor for Haute Living, and contributed to Avalon Publishing’s Moon Metro Boston guidebook. Kellie writes celebrity profiles and covers restaurants, travel, and lifestyle.
