Located just across the bay from downtown San Diego, on the picturesque isle known for the iconic Hotel del Coronado, a historic residence belonging to Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker and psychotherapist Ira Wohl has recently been listed for sale for the first time in nearly thirty years, priced slightly above $3.6 million.
Built in 1890 and affectionately called the “red Victorian” by locals, this two-story home is situated in the coveted Golden Triangle area of Coronado Island. It stands out as one of the oldest surviving examples of Queen Anne Victorian architecture on the island. The residence offers three bedrooms and two bathrooms within 1,200 square feet of meticulously maintained and updated living space. The interior features vibrant colored rooms, original fir floors, wide arched doorways, high ceilings, detailed woodwork, and the original doorknobs and double-hung wood windows. An unfinished attic adds to its appeal.
Approached by steps leading to a gated, columned wraparound porch, the entrance foyer welcomes visitors with a vintage fireplace and a powder room beneath a graceful staircase. The main level includes colorful living and dining rooms that flow into a compact yet modernized kitchen equipped with newer stainless steel appliances. A family room with large windows completes the ground floor. Upstairs, the primary bedroom offers a cozy window seat, while a tiled bathroom includes a pedestal sink, clawfoot soaking tub, and separate shower. Outside, the private grounds cover less than a quarter-acre and feature an outdoor dining patio, a grassy lawn, and a stone fireplace.
Ira Wohl gained recognition in 1979 for his documentary “Best Boy,” which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and chronicled his intellectually disabled cousin’s journey toward greater independence. He later produced sequels “Best Man” and “Best Sister,” as well as “People Say I’m Crazy,” which explores his personal experience with schizophrenia. Active in the documentary division of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Coronado Island International Film Festival, Wohl is also a licensed social worker.
Originally purchased by Wohl in 1997 for $500,000, the property benefits from the Mills Act, offering reduced property taxes to homeowners who maintain historic houses. Whitney Benzian of Douglas Elliman is handling the listing.
