THE ART OF THE SAIL

Written by Blue Door Magazine on April 10, 2023

SkySail Coastal Estates raises the mast on luxury home buying-building experience.

This Newport Beach contemporary takes advantage of its generous lot to create a true sense of sanctuary.

When it comes to building next-level homes in Orange County’s most coveted coastal locations, Drew D’Angelo and Robert Pereira understand exactly what it requires to sell a home for a record-breaking price. It’s an equation the founders of SkySail Coastal Estates have perfected after developing and building more than 400 homes combined. “It’s about that mixture of architecture, the aesthetic of a property, and an incredible location,” says D’Angelo. “We specialize in building truly unique sanctuaries. That’s what people want. We don’t reuse floor plans or architecture, and we avoid smaller lots.”

Their most recently completed project, a warm contemporary located in Newport Beach, put that concept into action: “The minute I first saw this property, I knew it presented a unique opportunity,” says D’Angelo. “There are only so many 10,000-square-foot lots that are not irregularly shaped. I immediately knew that we were able to curate a beautiful home on this quiet, wide street, and that people would be willing to pay for that.”

The 3,810-square-foot home includes an expansive great room with double- height ceilings.

So D’Angelo and Pereira put their plan into action, enlisting architect Jeff Benson, principal at Benson Design and Architecture, to design a showpiece retreat. Today the 3,810-square-foot, two-story residence boasts state-of-the-art amenities, an effortless indoor/outdoor flow, and a sense of ultra-private luxury. With four ensuite bedrooms, five baths, and sprawling grounds primed for entertaining, the home features bespoke details such as a steel-suspended staircase, a chef’s kitchen, and an impressive wine bar. Outside, the pool, spa, and entertaining areas are all protected by 20-foot hedges surrounding the space.

Amenities include a home office with fireplace.

Amenities include a gourmet kitchen with a double-waterfall island, walk-in pantry, and more. Throughout the home, a mix of millwork, stone, and metal finishes creates visual texture.

The primary suite boasts a balcony, vaulted ceiling, a fireplace, walk-in closet, free-standing tub, a separate shower, and LED mirrors.

But D’Angelo and Pereira didn’t just focus on the final product. The two are also highly invested in the process of luxury home creation as well. A series of under-construction videos posted on social media and the SkySail website, as well as interactive experiences onsite, provide the critical sense of buzz to the home development process: “You put a sail in the sky and let people know you’re open for business,” says D’Angelo, who adds that he’s typically on project construction sites at least three times a day during the building process. “This is my 14th home that I’ve built in the area, so I know this market incredibly well.”

The experience paid off: The home sold for above asking price far before it was completed. “We sold it at framing for more than $6 million,” says D’Angelo. “What we do differently is we deliver a curated experience. People entrust us to build their homes and that means it’s incredibly important that they know exactly what goes into it. People genuinely care about that. And that’s why we deliver an entirely curated experience: So that they know we’re as invested as they are.”