Balboa Island Vintage Cottage Renovation
203 Emerald Avenue
203 Emerald Avenue is a whimsical cottage located on the quiet West End of Balboa Island on a wide, two-block street. At the end of the block is a large sandy beach and public dock on the North Bay Front. This “one of a kind” Beach Cottage, built in 1940, has been renovated, maintaining its original charm and architectural detail. The 2-story home has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and an office. There are 2 large private patios accessed through French doors from the interior sunroom.
203 ½ Emerald Avenue is a 2-bedroom, 1 bath apartment over the garage, added in 1994. It has also been renovated and stylized to match the character and classic style of the front cottage.
Island cottages provide cherished memories of the early days of Balboa Island History. Early cottages are commemorated with an oval bronze plaque that designates each cottage’s date of original construction on the lot. The Balboa Island Museum verifies the date of original construction and then owners can place orders for their plaque.
It’s a joy to visit or live in an early Balboa Island Cottage, which takes one back to the simpler lifestyle and the pride of artisan craftsmanship of an earlier era.
The 203 Emerald cottage highlights hand-crafted wood corbels on the interior of the first floor. Also hand-crafted on this floor are wooden sconces and a lighting fixture over the original built-in dining nook and table.
The cottage was built by a Hollywood Producer for a movie starlet. The craftsman who did the building project was a Paramount Studio set designer who built it to ¾ scale as done on movie sets.
The popular “maritime” movies such as Mutiny on the Bounty (1935-1940) are reflected in the very ship-like ambiance with wood corbels, built-in dining banquette and light fixtures. These specialty craftsman features have been maintained in their original condition.
The second floor has original Douglas Fir Wood Floors which had been painted in years past. When stripped to their natural state the new owners were delighted to find original golden pegged wood floors! The second floor also showcases unique architectural detail in the artistic curvature and pitches of the ceilings and window surrounds.
A Master Bath was added to the cottage in 1994 when the apartment was being built. The new owners renovated this Master Bath to reflect the vintage cottage character.
A 100-year-old resident of Balboa Island reported that there were many blackouts on the Island during WWII. Bringing their candles and snacks, the few year-round residents would find comfort and companionship in gatherings by candlelight at 203 Emerald Avenue.
203 Emerald Ave
~Circa 1940~
Before and After
203½ Emerald Avenue
Apartment Built 1994
