Foreign Property News | Posted by Hnin Ei Khin
Something low-key, a house in Hawaii dwarfed by pristine ocean views in all directions and the hypnotic drumbeat of crashing waves, was for decades Larry Leight’s fantasy.
“For like 20 years, every year I’d go to Kaua’i and I’d always go for a drive by the botanical gardens for some Zen,” said Mr. Leight, founder of high-end luxury eyewear brand Oliver Peoples, recalling the yearning he felt as he drove past the private homes along Lawai Road.
“I used to always comment on what would it be like to own a house like that… It was something I always dreamed of.”
An avid surfer, Mr. Leight saved up for his first trip to the Hawaiian Islands from his hometown of Los Angeles when he was 18, and recalls shaking with excitement as he stepped foot in Maui.
He returned to the state as often as he could and finally, in 2008, after selling Oliver Peoples to Oakley, the sunglass mogul made good on his dream and bought a three-bedroom house in Poipu, Kaua’i, off of Michael Hoban, co-creator of North Beach Leathers.
Ten years later, Mr. Leight, in his late 60s and with less time than he’d like to travel to Hawaii, says he can scarcely believe he’s now preparing to sell the home. He put the dream house on the market in late March with Elite Pacific Properties for $7.5 million.
“It’s not really real to me,” said the begrudging seller, adding that in his eyes the home is worth many more times what he’s asking. “It’s like sitting on your own island.”
Kaua’i is home to some of the best surf breaks in the world, and benefits from a relatively undeveloped natural beauty.
Mr. Leight’s quarter-acre retreat is no exception, with the National Tropical Botanical Garden on two sides and a sprawling, landscaped Golf Course to the east.
Mr. Leight rents the house out to vacationers when he’s not there, and has found such success that he has had to carve out time for his own use sometimes a year in advance, he said.
The property comes with a stretch of rocky beach suited for private sunbathing and swimming steps from the front door.
There’s also a pool and spa, and multiple lanais with panoramic views over the Pacific Ocean, according to images from the listing with Hannah Sirois of Elite Pacific Properties’ Sirois Kaua’i Heritage Portfolio team.
The property overlooks Kukuiula Bay, where there are xpert-level surf breaks beyond the bay’s breakwater.
Inside, the main living space consists of a sun-drenched great room with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that open up to connect the indoors and large L-shaped lanai.
The island has offered Mr. Leight, who recently founded another high-end eyewear brand, called Mr. Leight, with his son, Garrett, a place to relax and refocus on work without the noise and distractions of his home in Los Angeles.
“I would sit for hours and just hear the sound of the waves, it would help me with my creativity and my mindfulness,” Mr. Leight said. “It helped my imagination.”
Ref: Property Report
