The house that Leucadia built. Interior designer Ali Cote taps a dream team for this beach house with local bonafides

On the surface, it’s a real charmer: front porch, Dutch door, poetic tree swing. But beneath its skin lies durability and high-designed livability. After all, every part of this open-concept retreat was built for — and by — real-deal beach goers. 

“It’s bulletproof,” says interior designer Ali Cote of Ali Cote Interiors. “There’s nothing too precious about this house. You can walk straight from the beach with sandy feet.”

She should know. Cote is not only a collaborator, but a neighbor and friend. She and builder Jeff Maitner of Halcyon Trade Building both live on La Mesa Avenue and their children attend Paul Ecke Central together. Also in the ‘hood? Architect Logan Anderson of Marcela & Logan. 

“It’s honestly the hub of the neighborhood,” says Cote, who specializes in ground-up construction and large-scale remodels. “Potlucks, taco parties… Everyone is invited.“

The 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom, 2,400-square-foot house — formerly a 750-square-foot beach cottage — is near Stone Steps Beach, and was designed to accommodate the wild energy of two young boys without comprising sophistication. 

The aesthetic straddles New England charm and low-key North County luxury. Refinement is in the details: Window bench seats. A sunlit stair landing with a reclaimed beam from Vintage Timberworks. Custom tile is sourced from Solana Beach’s Tile Collective while warm antique finishes add richness and texture throughout. Also splash-worthy: A curbless shower and Native Trails soaking tub. 

There’s indoor-ourdoor everything. LaCantina doors and pass-through windows create a seamless transition between the indoor and outdoor spaces — ideal for beach days, barbecues, and barefoot entertaining.

Family-friendly durability is further prioritized with performance fabrics, Dekton countertops, and clever hidden storage (including a disguised walk-in pantry and panel-hidden storage under the stairs). 

On a recent Friday afternoon, the neighborhood hums with construction. On La Mesa Avenue alone, there are three projects underway — all former beach shacks being transformed into a new era. Rincon Builders and Stephen Dalton Architects are behind the most ambitious project on the corner of La Mesa and El Portal Street. It includes two brand-new, detached single-family homes with ADUs. 

“We did half of what we could have,” says Cote, sitting on the large front porch as kids frolic on the front lawn. “We wanted to respect the scale of the neighborhood.”