LBL
2025-07-29
Buildable land with a full design package, years of architectural work behind it, and permits just a few months away? 2840 Zell Drive isn't your average empty lot.
Buildable land in Laguna Beach is rare.
Buildable land with a full design package, years of architectural work behind it, and permits just a few months away? That's even harder to come by.
2840 Zell Drive isn't your average empty lot.
Located on a quiet street in Top of the World, this 5,033 sq ft property is being offered with approved plans by local architect David Parker and years of behind-the-scenes prep already handled.
It's a unique opportunity for someone who wants to build something special… without starting from scratch.
The Backstory
Laguna Beach realtor, Jennifer Halbert, knows this property inside and out. She originally listed the land in August 2021, and it sold a month later to the current owner. Since then, the project has trudged along Laguna's famously complex design-review process.
Now, after several years of collaboration and revisions, the plans are officially approved—and picture perfect. Permits are about 3–4 months out. Everything else—the architecture, design, renderings, and structural groundwork—is already in place.
"This isn't just a plot of land. It comes with plans and guidance. Buyers are set up for a smooth build."
— Jennifer Halbert
So What's Included?
At a listing price of $2,495,000, the sale includes:
- 5,033 sq ft flat lot
- Design-review approval
- Architectural plans by David Parker
- Fire access plan
- Drainage plan
- Landscape plan
- Soils report
- Story poles and renderings
Utilities (public water, sewer, gas, electric, and cable) are available at the site.
The Architect's Vision
David Parker didn't start with specs. He actually began the design concept from sketches he made in a notebook while on a family vacation in Utah. Inspired by the shape of a butterfly, the design took form quickly in his mind. What followed was years of work to adapt that vision to the site's constraints.
"The lot was small and tapered toward the rear," he explains. "We had utility easements and had to preserve the views of the neighbor behind us. The design went through a lot of modifications to get it right."
We ultimately found a 'sweet spot' where the house is low enough to not block the neighbor's views, but still high enough for us to have a spectacular view looking to the ocean.
The result is a low-profile, view-conscious design that features a dramatic two-story atrium, sweeping terraces, and walls of glass that open the interior to the outdoors. It's not a cookie-cutter build—this is a home designed to live beautifully and age well.
"I'm proud of how all the elements work together," Parker says. "They create a wonderful, open, and joyous space for living."
Details That Matter
The heart of the home revolves around natural light and indoor-outdoor living. From the open-concept layout to the connection between interior rooms and terraces, every part of the home was shaped by the views and the lot's orientation.
"Architecture is really about the experience of living in a home. We think about qualities like light, flow, outdoor connection, and views—all of that contributes to the overall feeling."
— David Parker
He also offers one key piece of advice for whoever ends up building the home: don't alter the plan too much.
"Stay true to the vision," he says. "Don't go cheap or cut corners. The result will be worth all the cost and effort."
Now, Who Is This For?
The design is spectacular. David's homes are recognizable throughout town—people know them. Zell Drive's curves and attention to detail are going to be a showstopper. His homes are like pieces of art, and any buyer would be lucky to add one to their collection.
It's the right fit for someone who wants to be part of a creative build, but doesn't want to spend the next three years in design limbo.
The permits are in process. The hard stuff is done. A buyer can still customize final touches, work with Halbert to select a builder, and step into the project with confidence.
"We'll walk someone through it and make it an easy transition," she says. "It's exciting, you get to be involved in something beautiful, without starting from square one."
The estimated timeline to build is about 18 months from start to finish.
The Neighborhood
For those who don't know, Top of the World is exactly what it sounds like—one of the highest points in Laguna, with panoramic views and a real sense of neighborhood. It's minutes from the Village and the beach, but feels quiet and separate from the downtown scene.
It's its own little world up here. Locals love it because it's peaceful, but still close to everything. We've got beautiful parks, hiking trails, amazing views… and there's a lot of parking!
The lot is just up the road from Alta Laguna Park and connected to some of the best hiking in Orange County. It's in the award-winning Laguna Beach Unified School District and surrounded by homes that range from creative to custom.
Ready to Go?
This isn't a teardown. It's not a permit gamble. It's a fully approved design with ocean views and a smart, intentional layout—backed by years of planning and two local professionals who know how to bring it across the finish line.
2840 Zell Drive is ready for someone who values good design, wants to build in Laguna, and doesn't want to wait three years to start. The vision is there. The plans are there. The opportunity is real.
Contact Jennifer Halbert for more information. By phone at 949.899.2113. By email at JenniferHalbert@bhhscal.com. By website at JenniferHalbert.com.
Photos by Marielena Photography.
