2021 Builder Awards: Spec Home by Spinnaker Development

Author:Lindsey Shook

“My design philosophy toward spec development is always to work within the framework of each property with the intent of enhancing the pre-existing uniqueness of each lot,” says Mike Close, president of Spinnaker Development. “That may be view orientation, unusual street frontage and privacy and/or natural light considerations.” With vision and lifestyle top of mind, the full-service general contracting and construction management firm specializes in new builds throughout Newport Beach. “I am a longtime resident of the community and made a lifelong goal of developing a property on this address,” he notes of the company’s latest project, a dynamic spec home located on Irvine Terrace in Corona del Mar. “I had eyes on these lots for years and already had a somewhat napkin sketch idea of what I wanted to see here.”

He enlisted Chris Brandon of Brandon Architects and Michael Fullen of Michael Fullen Design Group to help bring his vision to life. “We dug right into the lifestyle dynamic of the property—one I knew well being a longtime neighborhood resident,” says Close. “This took a lot of the guesswork out of play that you typically encounter when developing a spec for an unknown end-user.” The collective goal was to build a home that was immersed in the views with an efficient floor plan that worked on the asymmetrical lot. “We also needed warmth.”

“I’ve learned you can attract a ‘traditionalist’ to contemporary homes if you can deliver a warm and inviting aesthetic. We shy away from ultra- mod finishes, carefully plugging in these elements to stay true to the architecture but striving to create a truly welcoming and comfortable vibe in the home,” he notes. The main level features the expected living quarters while the lower level, accessed through a floating staircase, leads you to a wine cellar, bar, game room, media room and a massive pocket door system leading you to the rear yard pool, spa and cabana. “This is the ‘wow’ moment when touring the property,” says Close. “The backyard is a true oasis and one of the more private exterior living spaces you can find in our immediate market. Nothing like a private soak
in your infinity Jacuzzi while listening to the sea lions bark in the bay.”