A rare Mt. Helix architectural treasure designed by renowned architect Kotaro Nakamura, this award-winning residence is a masterful blend of Japanese design principles and Southern California living. Honored with an Award of Excellence by San Diego Home & Garden Magazine, the home is centered around a tranquil Zen garden—visible from nearly every room—creating a seamless connection between indoors and out. The dramatic "genkan" entry sets the tone upon arrival, grounded by two monumental natural logs harvested from fallen trees on Mt. Palomar, offering a striking sense of place, intention, and reverence for natural materials. The U-shaped floor plan embraces the formal garden and water features, filling the home with light, calm, and balance. This stunning 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence offers approximately 2,471 sq ft of thoughtfully curated living space, showcasing raised hardwood floors, etched glass accents, and serene garden and ocean views on clear days of the Coronado Islands. The upgrades blend modern comfort with timeless design, while the meticulously designed landscaping is reminiscent of the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. Every corner of reminiscent of this half acre is curated for beauty, tranquility and a peaceful living experience. Additional features include Japanese ceramic tile roofing with rolled stainless steel, dual HVAC systems, water filtration, granite countertops, indirect lighting, integrated security, ethanol fireplace and more—each detail selected with intention and craftsmanship. A truly special offering—peaceful, refined, and architecturally significant—this is Mt. Helix living at its finest. People are drawn to Mt. Helix for its rare blend of elevated views, privacy, and community charm. Perched above La Mesa, the area offers sweeping panoramas, a peaceful residential feel, and distinctive homes on larger lots—many custom-designed to embrace the hillside setting. Residents enjoy a quiet, nature-forward lifestyle with easy access to parks, neighborhood gatherings, and nearby shopping and freeways, making Mt. Helix feel like a serene retreat that’s still conveniently connected to the rest of San Diego.
2,471 Sq Ft
0.5 Private Acres Lot Size
single family home
Built in 1990
MLS/Listing ID NDP2604022
1 Stories
Lot - Yard
Electric Dryer Hookup
Gas Dryer Hookup
Inside
Laundry Room
Freezer
Gas Range
High Efficiency Water Heater
Ice Maker
Microwave
Self-cleaning oven
Tankless Water Heater
Vented Exhaust Fan
Warming Drawer
Washer
Tile
Skylights
Public Sewer
Walk-in Closets
Entrance Foyer
All Bedrooms Down
Washer Hookup
Walk-in Pantry
Living Room Fireplace
Good Condition
Wood
Fire Pit
Cooling - Central Air
Cooling - Dual
Cooling - Zoned
Community - Biking
Community - Hiking
Community - Mountainous
Community - Park
Community - Rural
Community - Street Lights
Style - Custom
Barbecue
Built-in
Convection Oven
Dishwasher
Disposal
Dryer
Electric Range
Atrium
Blinds
Garden Windows
Screens
Bay View
City Lights View
Hills View
Panoramic View
Patio
Rear Porch
Stone
Wrap Around
Parking - Attached Carport
Parking - Covered
Parking - Direct Access
Parking - Door Multi
Parking - Driveway
Parking - Garage
Lot - Backyard
Lot - Corner Lot
Lot - Cul-de-sac
Lot - Drip Irrigation Bubblers
Lot - Front Yard
Lot - Garden
Lot - Landscaped
Lot - Paved
Lot - Rolling Slope
Lot - Sprinkler System
Lot - Sprinklers in Front
Lot - Sprinklers in Rear
Lot - Sprinklers on Side
Lot - Sprinklers on Timer