subject: Harbor Ridge homes in Newport Beach, California [print this page] Harbor Ridge homes in Newport Beach, California
Some of grandest Newport Beach luxury real estate can be found behind the guard gates of Harbor Ridge. Situated atop one of the city's highest promontories, many Harbor Ridge homes for sale feature spectacular views of the Orange County skyline and the coastline stretching from Newport to Palos Verdes.
"Harbor Ridge is an affluent gate-guarded coastal community in Newport Beach, California. Sitting atop a hilly knoll, Harbor Ridge covers 170 acres. Spectacular vistas of the Pacific Ocean, Newport Beach, Palos Verdes, Saddleback Mountains, inland night-lights and Catalina Island can be viewed from Harbor Ridge. Fresh ocean breezes keep the climate pleasantly moderate. When within the impressive gates, one feels transported to another land, tranquil, secure, and surrounded by well maintained grounds and homes. Harbor Ridge was developed by The Irvine Company in 1978 -1980 with an overall concept of creating a forest on a hillside. The hillside was planted with sycamores, pines and alders to emphasize the landforms and ridgelines which helped to enhance the skyline while mitigating the visual impact of housing near the ridge. The natural landforms took precedence over any architectural requirements. The housing was designed to fit the land, rather than grading the land to accommodate flatland-housing design. These considerations in development produced an aesthetically pleasing result, not only to its residents, but also to the communities below."
Since the time of its development by the Irvine Company, the neighborhood remains distinguished for the range of architectural styles seen on its custom homesites, a sharp contrast to the strictly Mediterranean-style architectural zoning regulations of Newport Coast. Private amenities exclusive to residents include tennis courts, four pool/spa facilities, a Women's Club, and a wooded nature trail. The Harbor Ridge custom homesites typically list on the market for anywhere from $3 million to $10 million, among Newport's most expensive, with homes ranging in size from approximately 4,000 to 10,000square feet (930 m2).
Prominent residents have included Edward Thorp (hedge fund manager), Dean Koontz(author), and Paul Crouch (Trinity Broadcasting Network founder).
