The homes along the canals of Naples are among the most expensive in the 90803 ZIP code, as well as in the entire city of Long Beach. Courtesy photo.

The high-dollar Long Beach coastal neighborhood of Naples once again crushed the balance of the town in terms of expensive real estate in 2019. While there are million-dollar homes in many parts of the city, the real money is spent on the always-expansive views and small-town feel of the homes on Naples Island’s canals and Alamitos Bay. This year, the top four most expensive homes and eight of the top 10 were in Naples.

1. Naples-based agent Keith Muirhead snapped up the top sale at the very last minute in 2019 with closing due today or Tuesday on a $4.45 million sale of a spectacular three-level home at 6036 Lido Lane. The four-bedroom, five bath house is the largest in the 2019 top 10 at 4,691 square feet, with views of the bay from every window and a 360-degree panorama from the roof deck. Other features include a private 60-foot dock and three fireplaces — one of which is a showcase fixture imported from Europe.

Spectacular views of Alamitos Bay helped to make this home at 6036 Lido Lane the most expensive home sold in Long Beach in 2019. It sold this week for $4.45 million. Listing photo.

2. A $4 million offer scored a four-bedroom, three-bath home on a coveted corner lot at 5803 E. Corsi di Napoli, so close to Alamitos Bay you can look out the master bedroom window and feel like you’re looking through a cruise ship porthole. Sold in May, the home also comes with a private dock.

The view from the master bedroom at 5803 E. Corsi di Napoli. The home sold in May for $4 million. Listing photo.

3.  A Streamline Moderne classic that sold for $3.85 million in January, was the clubhouse leader through May this year. The three-bedroom, four-bath home at 5484 E. The Toledo has 180-degree views of the bay and sports such features as a 55-foot dock, a 300-bottle wine fridge and stairs made of reclaimed river wood. A private enclosed courtyard has a jacuzzi with a water feature.

This Streamline Moderne home at 5485 E. The Toledo sold in January for $3.85 million. Listing photo.

4. Sitting on another prime corner lot at 5903 E. Corsi di Napoli is a four-bedroom, three-bath home that sold for $3.8 million in July.  How many ways can we say spectacular views when we’re talking about expensive Naples homes? This one makes it more difficult than ever to get out of bed in the morning with a second-floor master suite featuring large windows with bay views, and a large walk-in closet.

Enjoy the view from your deck at this home at 5903 E. Corsi di Napoli on Alamitos Bay. Its price tag was $3.8 million. Listing photo.

5. Busting out of Naples and coming in at the halfway point on the top 10 list is the fantastic Killingsworth House, a museum piece built by Long Beach’s preeminent architect Edward Killingsworth for his family. The handsome mid-modern classic at 4606 N. Virginia Road in Los Cerritos is wide open to the landscaping, also designed and planted by Killingsworth and his wife long before construction began. The historically important home was snapped up quickly for $3.3 million within a week after it went up for sale in October.

This showcase home that Long Beach architect Edward Killingsworth built for his family sold for $3.3 million in October. Listing photo.

6. (tie) Back to the coast again we go for this three-bedroom, three-bath house at 102 Rivo Alto Canal that sold for $3.2 million in April. It doesn’t appear to be one of the more spectacular homes along the canal, yet here it is, a perfect place to host a boat parade party. It’s a complete remodel and weighs in at 2,068 square feet.

A complete remodel of a home at 102 Rivo Alto Canal sold for $3.2 million in April. Listing photo.

6. (tie) A beautiful Mediterranean Revival at 144 Rivo Alto Canal is one of the elegant looking properties in the architecturally eclectic neighborhood. Sold for $3.2 million, the residence was redesigned and remodeled in 2006. The master bedroom has vaulted ceilings and full canal views.  In addition to its three bedrooms and four baths, the property includes a one-bedroom, two-bath guest apartment for friends or tenants.

This Mediterranean-style home at 144 Rivo Alto Canal was redesigned and remodeled in 2006. It sold in July for $3.2 million. Listing photo.

6. (tie) Getting out of the Naples for a quick breather, we head up to this Belmont Heights Estates home at 284 St. Joseph Ave. OK, so it’s not on the water, but this brand new custom home is packed with amenities and cool features—try a golf cart garage in addition to the two-car garage. The kitchen is fitted with high-end appliances, a walk-in butler’s pantry, a hammered nickel sink and wine cellar. The four bedrooms are all ensuite with walk-in closets and the master comes with a balcony, a fireplace and two walk-in closets. The big backyard has a covered patio and a jacuzzi with water features, as well as an outdoor fireplace. The home was sold for $3.2 million in November.

This Belmont Heights Estates home at 284 St. Joseph Ave. sold for $3.2 million in November. Listing photo.

9. Now it’s back to the canals for this unique Americana Beach Bungalow at 111 Rivo Alto Canal. The three-bedroom, five-bath house was built new in 2017 and the decor is Patriotic Revival, with your American red, white and blue dominating the interior. Our favorite feature of the home is a custom-designed doghouse under the stairway that leads to an outdoor dog run. This is by far the best property on the list for a dog. The home sold just in time for peak summer enjoyment in June for $3.125 million.

This 2017 American Bungalow at 111 Rivo Alto Canal sold for $3.125 million in June. Love it or leave it. Listing photo.

10. We dip below the $3 million mark for our No. 10 house at 6002 Lido Lane, adjacent to Naples Plaza. The four-bedroom, four-bath home, “steps from the Bay,” was built in 1978. It sold for $2.9 million in May.

Rounding out the top 10 for 2019 is this home at 6002 Lido Lane near Naples Plaza. It sold for $2.9 million in May. Photo courtesy of Keith Muirhead.

There were a few homes for sale in Long Beach that could have topped the list but they made it through the year unsold. Chief among them was Casa Oceana, a huge spread at 20 37th Place that remains on the market despite the seller knocking a million bucks off the asking price. It’s offered now at $10.995 million. Another is the modern home at 5436 The Toledo, once owned by Michael Crawford. It’s currently listed at $6.4 million.

 

Tim Grobaty is a columnist and the Opinions Editor for the Long Beach Post. You can reach him at 562-714-2116, email [email protected], @grobaty on Twitter and Grobaty on Facebook.