The property, listed by Alen Moshkovich of SERHANT, represents an extreme in residential design. Behind its imposing limestone walls and motorized security gates lies a structure that defies the conventional footprint of the area. The residence features six primary bedrooms, a dedicated staff suite, and a basement level that serves as a self-contained entertainment complex. Amenities include a home theater, a professional-grade wet bar, a sauna, a massage parlor, and a climate-controlled wine cellar. The living room is anchored by a six-foot-long, custom-integrated saltwater fish tank, while the kitchen is finished with high-end yellow onyx and marble, featuring appliances from the prestigious French manufacturer La Cornue.
A Chronology of Controversy: From Rectory to Landmark
The story of 215 Exeter Street is inextricably linked to the rapid architectural transformation of Manhattan Beach. In 2010, the lot was occupied by a relatively humble, two-story, 2,599-square-foot rectory that had served the local clergy for years. When the church sold the parcel for $1.85 million, the transaction was accompanied by restrictive covenants typical of religious property transfers, including prohibitions against "obscene performances" or medical practices deemed inconsistent with the institution’s values.
However, the real controversy emerged when plans for the new construction were filed. Neighbors mounted a vocal opposition campaign, arguing that the proposed structure was entirely out of scale with the surrounding neighborhood. Critics specifically pointed to discrepancies in city data, noting that the neighborhood’s density and building height regulations were being circumvented through what they characterized as flawed zoning interpretations. Despite the outcry, the project received approval for a 7,848-square-foot footprint. Over the subsequent years, the home has seemingly grown, with current listings placing the total interior square footage at roughly 11,300 square feet—a figure that has prompted questions regarding how the structure expanded beyond its original permitted scope.
Broker Alen Moshkovich dismisses the discrepancy as a matter of administrative record-keeping rather than a breach of regulation. "It’s a larger house than you see in the city record," Moshkovich noted. "A lot of houses in Manhattan Beach and other neighborhoods are bigger than they are recorded to be. It’s nothing unusual. It’s a recording thing."
Architectural Opulence and Engineering Precision
The residence is a masterclass in materials and "bunker-style" engineering. The owners, Aleksandr and Svetlana Falikman, appear to have prioritized both aesthetic flair and structural resilience. The interior aesthetic is defined by an uncompromising commitment to luxury: silk-lined walls, custom ironwork balustrades, and multiple Baccarat chandeliers, some of which are valued at upwards of $250,000 individually. The entry foyer, with its intricate marble inlay, sets a tone of European-inspired opulence that continues throughout the home.
Beyond the decor, the home is a feat of modern utility. The exterior walls are double-thick and acoustically insulated, providing a quiet buffer from the Atlantic Ocean winds. The house features a sophisticated radiant heating system that extends to the outdoor terraces, where heated pavers automatically melt snow to ensure clear walkways year-round. For energy security, the estate is equipped with dual power redundancy—a primary generator fueled by natural gas and a secondary diesel-powered backup, designed to allow the property to function entirely off-grid if necessary. The backyard features a 38-foot heated saltwater pool and a fully equipped cabana, creating an isolated, resort-like environment.
The Market Context: South Brooklyn’s Wealth Gap
The listing of 215 Exeter Street arrives at a time when the Manhattan Beach real estate market is undergoing a structural shift. The neighborhood, once known for a mix of 1950s-era homes and modest coastal cottages, has increasingly become a destination for developers and high-net-worth individuals seeking the space that prime Manhattan or Brooklyn Heights simply cannot offer.
The $13.5 million asking price is a benchmark for the area. For comparison, other notable properties in the vicinity, such as the Beaux-Arts château on Irwin Street, are listed at $8.5 million. The gap between the two prices illustrates the premium placed on the sheer scale of the Exeter Street property. Industry analysts suggest that while demand for such properties is niche, the "unicorn" status of a home of this size—given current, more stringent zoning regulations—may serve to justify the valuation. It is highly unlikely that the city would approve a home of this magnitude under contemporary building codes, potentially adding a "scarcity premium" to the property.
Motivations and Future Implications
According to the listing brokerage, the Falikmans are moving because their children have matured and moved on, leaving the family with more space than they currently require. The sale marks the end of an era for the couple, who have established deep ties to the area; Aleksandr Falikman is well-known in local business circles as a principal in a senior-care staffing agency and a partner in various hospitality ventures across South Brooklyn.
The sale will serve as a bellwether for the Manhattan Beach market. If the property achieves its $13.5 million target, it will signal that the neighborhood has officially entered the upper echelon of New York City’s most exclusive residential enclaves. If it lingers on the market, it may suggest that even in the most affluent sectors of the outer boroughs, there is a ceiling to what the market will bear for ultra-luxury, "giga-mansion" properties.
For now, the house remains a symbol of the tension between the neighborhood’s suburban, coastal history and its high-octane, modern evolution. With its Baccarat chandeliers, silk-walled rooms, and redundant power systems, the estate stands as an island of extreme wealth, awaiting a buyer who desires a home built to withstand almost any external pressure, provided the price is right.
The Department of City Planning has yet to issue a formal comment regarding the property’s square-footage discrepancies, and as of mid-September 2026, the listing remains active. For prospective buyers, the allure is clear: it is a residence that offers the privacy of a fortress with the amenities of a private club, all situated within walking distance of the Atlantic Ocean. Whether it will be viewed as a local landmark or a cautionary tale of zoning loopholes, however, remains a point of contention among the local residents who have watched the property evolve over the last 16 years.
