DANA POINT, CA—To be comfortable enough to stroll barefoot across the walking bridge or on San Juan Creek Trail with a cup of coffee in the morning is what beach living is all about, Zephyr's COO Chris Beucler tells GlobeSt.com. The San Diego-based real estate development company broke ground last week on South Cove, a condominium community featuring 168 luxury residences at Del Obispo and Pacific Coast Hwy. here.

The company acquired the choice nine-acre land parcel for $50 million in July 2015. Completion of the community is slated for 2019, pre-sales begin in early spring 2017, and the models are slated to open in late summer 2017.

Zephyr is promoting South Cove as Orange County's first barefoot community. According to Beucler, the community will feature three models—“Aliso” flats, “Trestles” townhomes and “Strands” twin homes—each ranging from one to three bedrooms with 883 square feet to 2,341 square feet. Ten residences will feature live/work space, with commercial opportunities fronting PCH. Seventeen homes will be offered as affordable housing. All homes will have attached garages and top notch interior finishes and accents, with select residences featuring indoor/outdoor floor plans, balconies, porches, rooftop decks, idea spaces and options for beach rinses, dens and more.

We spoke with Beucler about the project and the demand for barefoot communities in this part of Orange County.

GlobeSt.com: What was the impetus behind the South Cove project?

Beucler: Dana Point hasn't seen a new development like South Cove in more than 25 years. We saw this parcel as grossly underutilized for the area; a trailer park adjacent to California's first state beach just doesn't make any sense.

GlobeSt.com: What is the demand like for barefoot communities in this part of Orange County?

Beucler: South Cove is Dana Point's only barefoot community. For us, being able to feel like the harbor and the beach are extensions of your front yard is what South Cove is all about. To be comfortable enough to stroll barefoot across the walking bridge or on San Juan Creek Trail with a cup of coffee in the morning is what beach living is all about. We see the demand for this type of lifestyle everywhere in Southern California. People want to be able to accomplish more within a smaller radius. Walkability and the ability to get around without a car are huge drivers in the housing market. We're creating an anchor with this community to give Dana Point residents a home base, where they can entertain in the laid-back luxury they're used to in their home, and the surrounding community becomes an extension of their space.

GlobeSt.com: Please explain the twin-home concept and the need for this type of structure.

Beucler: A twin-home, also referred to as a duplex, simply refers to two homes that are attached by one shared wall. In this case, the homes mirror each other—one is the reflection of the other—therefore, they are twins.

These are South Cove's larger floorplans, offering three floors plus a rooftop deck. With just one shared wall, homeowners will have the luxury of a bit more privacy and with three outward facing walls, more windows and therefore more light. Every home at South Cove will feature a two-car garage, copious natural light and thoughtful and efficient floor plans.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about this project?

Beucler: South Cove is more than just a new home community. It's a destination and a landmark. We've been lucky enough to work with the City of Dana Point to develop a park plaza (yet to be named) that fronts PCH. The park, along with this community, will act as a real marker for the entry to Dana Point. The park will feature original artwork by Bill Limebrook—ten sculptures featuring surf legends of Dana Point. The spirit of this community paired with the spirit of this park will transcend anything Dana Point has seen to date.

We spoke with Beucler about the project and the demand for barefoot communities in this part of Orange County.

GlobeSt.com: What was the impetus behind the South Cove project?

GlobeSt.com: What is the demand like for barefoot communities in this part of Orange County?

GlobeSt.com: Please explain the twin-home concept and the need for this type of structure.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about this project?

Instant Insights /

Examining OC's First Barefoot Community

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