There are endless reasons that the South Bay and Redondo Beach are great places to live, and without question the proximity to the ocean is one of them. Redondo Beach offers a wider variety of options than neighboring Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach as it's zoned to allow higher density housing in some areas.....meaning larger condo complexes. Some of the most ideal complexes are located in South Redondo Beach just off of Catalina and are known as The Village or Seascapes I, II and III. All of the Seascape Buildings are also known as the Village (they're actually all on Catalina but the addresses are on The Village) All of the complexes have Homeowners Associations with relatively high HOA dues to cover the various landscaping, pools and some insurance, but if you're looking for an affordable way to have a beach home, they may be ideal for you. All three buildings offer some fantastic ocean, Catalina, and harbor views and are centrally located just a short walk or bike ride to the beach, marina, restaurants and shops and parks. Keep in mind that some of my comments are just opinions on what is both good and bad about the buildings based on my observations and feedback from my clients.
Seascape I
Seascape One is actually located between Seascapes II and III and consists of 210-250 The Village. It was built in 1978 and is just east of King Harbor and the Redondo Beach pier. Many of the units have fairly unique windows that allow for plenty of light and breezes. The smallest units are 1 bedroom 1 bath with around 577 square feet with the largest units being 2 bedroom 2 bath with just over 1600 feet. Values depend primarily on the location and view as well as the upgrades that the owners have done over time.
Pros: Location, location, location. Seascape I is central to everything and you truly don't have to get in the car on the weekends. It's directly adjacent to the marina and the Redondo Beach pier and has a large grassy park just outside your door. Some of the units are very nicely remodeled and some have tremendous ocean views (although those unblocked view units rarely come on the market. This is an affordable way to live by the beach or use a rental unit. See additional pictures of an ocean view unit at 240 The Village.
Cons: The complex is a little maze like and finding your way around isn't always simple. The complex also has shared laundry with a laundry room near the elevator on every floor. Another negative is that there seems to continually be an assessment in addition to the HOA dues and currently all of the planters and ponds have been undergoing continual work. Unlike Seacapes Two and Three the complex is not gated (although the parking is)
Seascape II
Seascape 2 was built in 1980 and looks a bit more modern than Seascape I. The units are much larger with the smallest one bedrooms just a bit over 900 square feet and the largest condos having 2 bedrooms plus a very good sized loft (with an additional balcony) and just at 1900 square feet. Seascape 2 consists of the buildings with 100-160 The Village addresses and is the furthest north of the oceanfront/oceanview buildings. The complex has a very nice pool area and is walkable to just about everything imaginable. Seascape 2 also has some townhome units with larger square footage and attached garages. Many/most of the units have been extensively remodeled and many have stunning ocean and harbor views.
Pros:Again the location is excellent with shops, restaurants, gyms and the beach just a stroll away. The complex has a very nice vacation like feel to it and is ideal for those looking for a beach home, second home or just wanting a primary residence at the beach....without the price tag of many other oceanview properties.
Cons:There are often assessments and the monthly HOA is fairly high and currently around the mid $400s as of this article. It's a fairly large complex and often a bit confusing to find your way around. Although the views can be stunning some of the units are a bit further back with a service road and a few buildings in front of the views of some of the lower units.
Seascape III
Built in 1980 Seascape III feels very similar to Seascape II with a slightly more "vacation" type feel. The condos are fairly large with the smallest 1458 square feet and the largest being the penthouse 2 bedroom with an ocean view loft and separate patio with slightly over 2000 square feet. This is the furthest south of the Seascape buildings but still walkable to everything.
Pros: Again the location is just ideal and the complex has a great second home or vacation feel. Higher floor units have some tremendous views and many have been very nicely upgraded. As with all of the Esplanade and Village buildings, prices have come down considerably as they have had a very high second home ownership in the past and have suffered quite a bit with some foreclosures and short sales forcing prices down which makes for an ideal environment for buyers
Cons: As with all of the Seascape buildings the HOA is quite high and the age of the buildings, coupled with their environment of sun and salt air, often make for additional assessments. HOA is also fairly restrictive as to what can be done to the units, but this can also be considered a positive for many.
Keith Kyle is a licensed Realtor and e-Pro with South Bay Brokers in Manhattan Beach. He serves his clients throughout the South Bay and his websites KeithKyleHomes.com and FindYourSouthBayHome.com offer the most comprehensive real estate websites in the South Bay with free MLS access, current home listings, open houses, recent home sales information and more. Keith can be reached at 310-251-2344 or by email at info@KeithKyleHomes.com
