Triggered by a complaint of “deadly large rocks” raining down on the little public beach below, an engineer’s report has confirmed an erosion of the cliff behind the infamous seven-bedroom home at 224 Sea Cliff Avenue. And while the report didn’t identify an “eminent hazardous condition,” another big problem appears to have been uncovered.
In the process of investigating the aforementioned complaint, the City was provided evidence that the private stairway, which was constructed to connect the Sea Cliff mansion to the secluded cove back in 2004, appears to have been built beyond the property lines of the home, with said lines having been misrepresented when the permits for the construction of a new retaining wall, deck and stairway were secured. An investigation into the legality of the stairway and permit history is now underway.
At the same time, while an “eminent hazardous condition” wasn’t identified, the aforementioned erosion is undermining the structure, the concrete is spalling and the stairway’s handrails and guardrails are corroding.
And with a “solicitation of offers” for 224 Sea Cliff Avenue having passed without a buyer having been secured last year, the property, which is now in the hands of a bankruptcy trustee, remains listed on the MLS for $15.375 million, touting “access to a wonderful beach via a private staircase.” We’ll keep you posted and plugged-in.
I don’t know how that stairway was ever able to be built. Anyone who buys the house would probably want to remove it. Wouldn’t a nice redwood stair that blends into the cliff be nicer?
Or perhaps just repaint it to blend in with the natural terrain. It was a terrible design decision to continue the house paint color down to the beach. Every time I see that photo it reminds me of a sweater unraveling.
or the giant pink bunny
Wouldn’t the California Coastal Commission have a say in that staircase? It looks horrible with its salmon color and that “private staircase” is falling apart. Not sure I’d want to use it!
In fact, it was the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) that raised the property line flag.
So the claim, then, is that it’s beyond the coast-fronting line, not one of the sidelines?
definitely appears to drop to the sand below the high tide line. The walkway out on the cliff at the left also might go outside private property lines…
What’s the bit over on the left side in the photo, on the second level down? It’s a long way from the stairs.
A private “viewing platform” that was built out on a ridge of the cliff.
Money well spent (‘cuz you can see so much more of the ocean from 45′ closer !!)
Actually, that extra 45 feet yields a rather spectacular vista and point of view.
The assessor’s map seems to imply that the viewing platform is actually ok, but everything below that level (the staircase further down) has gone beyond the property lines.
I would be worried about the stability of the cliff face if they tried to remove the stairs at this point. No wonder potential buyers are staying away.
Well like I said “money well spent” 🙂
(and yes: I guess there are times I appreciate that there isn’t a sarcasm font)
But back to the point…as it were: I wonder how much grander it is than the view from the house itself…that safe, warm spot where one can enjoy a vista in comfort.
Thanks! Pity it’s not wide enough for a hot tub.
This reminds me of the top floor lounge at the “Juke Box” Marriott downtown. Just beyond hideous from the outside but not without its experiential charms.
Almost matches the color of the GG Bridge
replace stairs with a funicular. probably similar cost and less intrusive to the hillside. and of course easier to get up and down.
Between the demo, the permits and the construction, I think the replacement stairs would cost as much as the current net value of the house.
Yep. And that’s one of the several reasons why no well-heeled homebuyer has come along in the last nine years, purchased this home and put the senior lien holder out of their misery.
This house is cursed. Mostly self-inflicted. I’d be worried about socketsite’s future if this house didn’t pop with an update at least every four months.
I may have missed it, who is paying the taxes?
Tear out that staircase, rebuild a nice viewing platform within property lines, and stake in a sturdy pole from which one can tie some rope and rappel down to the beach. And use ascenders to climb back up. It’s really quite fun and good exercise. Or maybe a via ferrata unless the cliffs are too unstable?
And for those without sufficient strength, there are battery powered motorized ascenders now.
Long-term (50-100 years), those homes are probably going the way of the Pacifica bluffs.
Dixon is right. But there is no “probably”. It’s borrowed time.
They’re pretty different geologically as redded red chert and graywacke sandstone degrades differently than sandy bluffs.
Concrete & sea water! I think that is what took down that condo building in Florida a few months ago.
Is it unusual for rocks to fall from a constantly-eroding cliff facing the sea?
Well, keep in mind these aren’t justrocks: they’re largerocks…deadly large rocks. Or maybe we should say “potentially deadly” since the thousands who would normally flock to this “public” beach each weekend are absent, at present.
Is it possible there is also evidence of water seepage down near the beach?
Let’s hope not !! Fresh water intrusion is a major threat to the ocean. Not an imminent danger, like the deadly rocks, but long-term a big, big problem.
That beach is a difficult one for the public to access.
Yours is an understatement.
imminent danger, your eminence
UPDATE: A permit to remove the non-permitted stairway has been requested and a(nother) Foreclosure Auction Postponed.