CORONADO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Flagship Properties announced today that the iconic 100-year-old Coronado Oceanfront Estate at 519 Ocean Boulevard, known as SEASHORE is now FOR SALE for $13,500,000. This magnificent estate was built at the far north end of Coronado Island and was designed by renowned architect William Hebbard. This oceanfront home is similar to two of Hebbard’s Newport, Rhode Island “cottages,” one of which remains today as St. Michael’s Prep.
The VELCRO® Mansion
The estate at 519 Ocean Boulevard, celebrating its 100-year history, was purchased by Clark and Nina Hartwell in 1972 and they named it SEASHORE. The Hartwell family has owned the house since then. Locals refer to it as “the VELCRO® Mansion.”
Hook and loop fasteners (for which the VELCRO® Brand is famous) were invented by George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer who, after a hunting trip in 1948, was intrigued with burrs that attached to his wool pants. Taking a microscope he observed the stiff hook in the burr and after much research learned that he could replicate the hook by exposing hooked nylon to infrared light. He patented his design in 1955 creating the VELCRO® Brand by combining the words velour and crochet.
Clark Hartwell was one of the three initial investors in Velcro and opened American Velcro Inc. in New Hampshire in 1957 distributing VELCRO® Brand products worldwide. He remained the Chairman and President through 1973 and licensed the technology to 3M Corporation in 1970.
In the early Apollo Mission years, NASA Engineers learned that the VELCRO® Brand fasteners were an important solution in a weightless environment. Astronauts were able to hold down dishes and tools with strips of the fastening technology. Through their NASA connection, Clark and Nina were invited to view the Apollo 11 Landing at Mission Control in Houston, Texas in 1969. (“One giant leap for mankind”).
Coronado is also the home of the US Navy SEALs. VELCRO® Brand products are an important component to every SEAL operator’s kit due to their low weight and versatility.
The Hartwell Estate trustees have recently selected waterfront property specialist Carrie OBrien with Coronado’s Flagship Properties Inc. and Jordan Cohen with RE/MAX to market this iconic estate. Construction partner Flagg Coastal Homes was the builder of Coastal Living magazine’s Home of the Year in 2014. That home and The Hotel del Coronado are just down the beach from SEASHORE. Stop by 519 Ocean Boulevard and pick up a brochure which is naturally attached to the realtor’s sign with two strips of VELCRO® Brand product.