Building on The Strand: What Homeowners Should Know

Building on The Strand means designing for a remarkable setting and planning carefully for the practical work of construction. The view may be the starting point, but a successful coastal home also depends on thoughtful coordination, durable detailing, and a clear understanding of the property.

Establish the review path early

Begin by identifying the property's jurisdiction and applicable planning requirements. Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach have their own planning departments; a nearby project's approval is not a substitute for reviewing your site. In Manhattan Beach's Coastal Zone, projects require a coastal permit unless exempted or excluded. Ask the relevant planning team which approvals apply to your proposed scope.

Plan how the work will reach the site

Discuss access, deliveries, staging, equipment, and protection of adjacent areas before construction begins. These considerations can influence sequencing and the coordination of trades. A logistics plan should account for the site's surroundings and the conditions attached to the project approvals.

Give coastal details the attention they deserve

Ask your architect, engineers, and builder how the specified materials and assemblies suit the exposure. Windows, exterior doors, flashings, terraces, railings, and the connections between them deserve a coordinated review. Product suitability, installation requirements, and maintenance expectations should be understood together.

Connect indoor comfort with outdoor living

The best waterfront homes make the setting part of daily life. Consider privacy, light, circulation, storage, and the transition to terraces alongside the view. Large openings and refined finishes work best when they belong to a fully coordinated design.

Our Hermosa Beach Strand Residence brings this ambition into focus: a three-story, 4,000-square-foot custom home with an elevator, Venetian plaster, and terraces. It is part of a broader Gravatt Homes legacy of creating distinctive residences throughout the South Bay.

Explore the Hermosa Beach Strand Residence or discuss your coastal project.

Planning resources: Manhattan Beach planning permits and Hermosa Beach Planning Division.