A Coastline Reimagined
By MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS
RAFU STAFF WRITER
Saturday, May 10, 2008

After nearly two decades of neglect, the former Marineland site in Palos
Verdes will be transformed into a luxurious resort.

Illustrations provided by Terranea Resort
An aerial photo rendering shows how the Terranea Resort will sit on the Palos Verdes peninsula. The 102-acre site, once home to the Marineland theme park, is being redeveloped into a world-class resort with a hotel, spa and privately-owned vacation units, all in a spectacular oceanside setting.

An artist’s drawing depicts two of Terranea’s casitas, which can be cordoned into separated resort units.

PALOS VERDES PENINSULA.–For many residents of the Palos Verdes area, any improvement at the old Marineland site would be a welcomed change.

The 102-acre parcel, a serenely scenic bluff jutting into a calm section of the Pacifi c coast, sat in a state of disrepair for much of the last 20 years, after the owners of San Diego’s Sea World bought the historic theme park–some would say “swindled”–then quickly moved the park’s two resident Killer Whales down south and abruptly shuttered what was the world’s largest oceanarium when it opened in 1954.

Much of the park’s structures, including its iconic, 400-foot tower, remained on the site, deteriorating and rusting. At best, it was used as seaside locations for Hollywood fi lming. At worst, weeds grew up through the pavement and the abandoned gas station at the entrance became a roadside eyesore. It was a sad testament to the indifference of big business and cutthroat competition.

Well folks, get ready for a major makeover.

The area is being transformed into a major hotel and residential resort development. The project, named Terranea, is set to open in June of 2009.

“What we have envisioned for this beautiful location is a place that will not only welcome visitors, but will also welcome residents of Palos Verdes Peninsula,” said Dan Cooke, director of sales and marketing real estate for Terranea.

The project is being undertaken by Lowe Destination Development, whose subsidiary, Destination Hotels & Resort, will operate and manage the resort. When it opens, it will be a village designed in the Mediterranean vernacular of Southern California architecture.
Spanish-tiled roofs, balconies of ornate wrought iron and plazas with gentle fountains will create a soothing environment in soft native colors and textures. The landscaping is an unintrusive array of native plants and surfaces.

The first modern development of the land took place back in 1924, when New
Yorker Frank A. Vanderlip built homes on the site. He envisioned a private, secluded retreat that would resemble an Italian village.

Cooke explained that a primary goal of Terranea from day one was to ensure that the space will be accessible to the general public, and that it not become an exclusive, Malibu-like compound for the well-heeled.

Toward that goal, the resort will include 82 privately-owned villas and casitas, but there’s a caveat: no one–not even the owners–can reside in any one unit for more than 29 days at a time.

“We needed to make sure that anyone can come here to visit, to enjoy this magnifi cent setting and to take advantage of everything that will be offered,” Cooke said.

The developer will own the hotel, of course, but anyone can purchase any of the 50 casitas or 32 villas. The casitas, which sit along the east- and west-facing ocean bluffs, are three-bedroom units, with the unique capability of being configured into three separate rooms. Such a feature make the casitas true resort accommodations and perhaps a particularly attractive investment to buyers.

The detached villas range in size from 1,900 to 2,800 square feet and sit a neighborhood enclave set back from the bluffs, nearer to Palos Verdes Drive. These are single-family units, which are set behind the hotel, but given the stepdown topography of the peninsula, will still enjoy spectacular ocean views.

Cooke took me on a brief tour of the property in March; we donned hard hats and rumbled around the site in an electric cart. Some of the structures were still just frames with concrete still being poured, while others, mostly the casitas, were nearly completed. Standing in one casita, with a cool ocean breeze blowing through, it was easy to imagine a weekend away from the traffi c and trappings of everyday life, pausing on the balcony to do nothing other than watch waves roll in.

The real star of the show, predictably, will be the 360-room hotel, with its 18,000 square foot ballroom, more than 30 suites, and 1,800 square foot Presidential Suite. All rooms will have private balconies, with more than 90 percent offering ocean views. The latest amenities, such as wireless internet and flat-screen televisions will be in all rooms.

The resort will also offer a nine-hole golf course, a place to hone one’s skills before taking on Donald Trump’s tournament-caliber course, three miles down the road. An extensive resort spa and fitness facility is planned, along with three swimming pools, the largest being some 5,000 square feet.

The spa, covering some 20,000 square feet, will boast 24 treatment rooms, hair, beauty and manicure services, a yoga studio and a spa restaurant.

Terranea will operate two full service restaurants, along with a bar and grill. Various snack and light fare outlets will be spread across the property and of course, poolside food service will be available.

All of this, however well-intentioned, doesn’t come at a bargain-basement price. This is a world-class resort development with the rates to match. Ownership of the villas and casitas will range from $2.25 million to $4.1 million, with 50 already under contract. Guest rates for the hotel rooms and spa have not yet been set.

With the resort opening just over a year away, Terranea is encouraged that half the publicly offered properties are in escrow. Anyone interested in the remaining 32 units can contact Dan Cooke at (310) 802-7465 or visit the project web site, www.terranea.com.