This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Shacknai Still Owns Spreckels Mansion

An investment group is overseeing day-to-day details, but Shacknai is the applicant behind a request to remodel the residence.

When Realtor Scott Aurich went before a city commission Wednesday to pitch restoration plans for the Spreckels mansion, the chairman, Jon Ryan asked an unusual question – “Who is the applicant?”

Aurich acknowleged that person is Jonah Shacknai, despite the announcement in October that .

He had, but due to a prolonged escrow process, Shacknai, owner of the Arizona pharmaceuticals firm Medicis, still holds sway over the mansion, though a deal remains in place to transfer title to an investment group, 1043 Ocean Blvd. LLC.

Find out what's happening in Coronadowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Aurich told the commission Coronado resident Joe Pinsonneault, a developer, is among the group members.

The group has the right to remodel, market and sell the house while it remains in escrow. Aurich said that he has a prospect interested in the mansion who is onboard with the restoration proposal. Still, any changes to the house have to be approved by Shacknai.

Find out what's happening in Coronadowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He has signed off on plans to take the house back to its original Harrison Albright design, Aurich said, leaving aside a separate set of renovations Shacknai had fought for when he planned to continue living in the historic home.

That changed last year, following the deaths of Shacknai's girlfriend Rebecca Zahau and son Max. The child fell on the oceanfront home's staircase July 11, while Rebecca Zahau was found nude, gagged and bound in back of the residence two days later.

Investigators later , a decision her .

Aurich is seeking permission , and replace it with a structure similar to the Glorietta Bay Inn, another Albright design.

John D. Spreckels, whose business dealings helped shape much of the San Diego region, had both homes built, but transferred the oceanfront mansion to his son, who altered the roof almost immediately.

The city's Historic Resources Commission has begun a preliminary discussion of the plans Aurich presented. Future meetings will be required.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?