HOME: Ryan Koubeserian gives us the story behind the “Holy Grail” of properties with a view

50 years

Living on Top of the World

Local couple have enjoyed this heavenly view from the La Sierra Tower since 1972

By Ryan Koubeserian

n the late sixties a young family would regularly vacation in the summers at the Hotel del Coronado. One summer, they showed up for their usual sojourn and couldn’t help but notice the large construction of concrete and steel taking place to their south and commented on the transformation of their favorite beach. This project was the conception of the late godfather of mid-century modern architecture, William Krisel. The buildings in progress, Cabrillo and La Sierra Towers, would become the fi rst of 10 towers comprising the Coronado Shores, a development of luxury oceanfront high rises built during the ’70s.. Upon their return back home, the couple came to the realization that things were changing along Coronado’s coastline — this was an opportune time to get on board with the new real estate development. When the time for their next visit arrived, they went for a walk and wandered into the sales offi ce in what is now known as the Roeder Pavilion at the Coronado Shores. They met a vibrant Cary Grant-looking gentleman named Richard Maitland, the director of sales for the Shores at the time, who told them they could have their pick of whatever they’d like in building two, La Sierra Tower, while it was still under construction.

Often called the "Holy Grail of condos at the Coronado Shores," the location of these penthouse units off er stunning panoramic views of Coronado and beyond

Paradise found! Daily postcard views from every window from these trophy properties at the top of the town.

The young couple, along with Maitland, donned their hard hats and traveled up what was then a construction elevator all the way to the Penthouse. They laid their eyes for the first time on what is the holy grail of views at the Coronado Shores, Penthouse 2. The couple bought it on site and closed escrow in March of 1972. Many years later, they acquired the one-bedroom unit next door, Penthouse 3. At the time, no one could predict what a diamond these two properties would morph into.

In 1982, Ara Koubeserian, a young Armenian title insurance account manager, walked into the Coronado Shores sales office one day and met Richard Maitland. Maitland decided to hire Ara and their friendship blossomed into more of a father-son relationship. Ara eventually bought the Coronado Shores Company

The Coronado Shores Groundbreaking Ceremony in the late 1960s.

from the Maitland family along with the late Yvonne Barnum in 2005, and they ultimately sold the company in 2017.

As most things in the world tend to do, the trajectory of these units is coming full circle. The wonderful owners of these properties have now hired Ara Koubeserian and his son, Ryan Koubeserian, whom ironically he mentored, to handle the sale of these diamonds. The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, have owned the property for 50 years and they would love for another family to enjoy the view that has brought them so much joy over the years. Of the more than 1400 units in the Coronado Shores, this special two-unit penthouse package is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for its future owners. Who will be next to enjoy this heavenly view?

A historical photo during the construction of La Sierra Tower in the early 1970s.

• Ryan Koubeserian of the Koubeserian Group is a local realtor who works with his father, Ara. Together combined, they have more than 60 years of experience in Coronado real estate. For more information on this article or to schedule a private tour of these, or any other properties, please contact Ara Koubeserian 619-339-2383 or Ryan Koubeserian 619-339-9736 with The Koubeserian Group at Coronado Shores Company CalBRE#00658736.

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