Open House Report, LA: Four Mid-Century Moderns Worth a Look This Weekend
Author:Philip FerratoFor architecture buffs/fanatics/collectors, there’s a great Pierre Koenig cantilevering out over the Hollywood Hills, plus three smart Post-and-Beam houses combing original details and attractive renovation.
6431 La Punta Drive, Hollywood Hill East, 1.895M (above)
By Pierre Koenig, one of the most important LA Modernists, the architect whose spare, cantilevered houses, photographed by Julius Shulman and published in LIFE Magazine would change American’s ideas about how it was possible to live. This is one of his last houses, built in 1981, and as the listing takes pains to point out, has better closets and baths than the earlier Case Study houses he designed. As for the neighborhood, a lot of ugly has gone up in the 30-odd years since this house was built, but there are no neighbors on three sides, one of which is a carport. May your car measure up. This floating 3-bed, 2.5-bath house has a reverse floor plan, with the bedrooms downstairs and a great master bath. Design-wise, a demanding, minimalist house. Most of us would have to throw out everything we own— which may be why it’s been on the market a while. Open Sunday, March 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
1300 Monument Street, Pacific Palisades, $1.560
From a little known firm, Pollack & Kahn, and built in 1955, this 3-bed, 2-bath is a classic suburban Post-and-Beam. The architects had seen the Case Study houses and incorporated the walls of glass, a striking central fireplace (plus round chimneys from the Le Corbusier playbook) and the usual slanting planked ceilings. There’s probably no room for a pool and there’s no AC, but at least the outlook is green and the interiors have been maintained in original condition or sensitively updated. In other words, no Tuscan kitchen or crown moldings from the ’90s. Worth a look if you’re in the neighborhood. Open Sunday, March 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2670 Pelham Place, Hollywood Hills East, $1.099M
Not far from the Pierre Koening house, this 1954 Post-and-Beam is also about half the price and comes with an extra lot (which may or may not be sliding downhill) for a pool. A 3-bed, 2-bath “retreat” with a big central fireplace, planked ceilings, and a less than sensitive renovation. A very likable house— we’re just not crazy about all the Indian slate they use— but with with views like these, we’ll never notice. Add a pool and some landscaping, and we’d never leave. Open Sunday, March 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
5618 Sunlight Place, Culver City, $849K
Designed by Kaz Nomura— as per the listing, Nomura was a draftsman for Jones & Emmons, a firm that designed a number of tract homes and hi-rise projects for developer Joseph Eichler along with spectacular custom homes around Los Angeles— and built in 1958. The 4-bed, 2-bath house looks the part, managing to be a smaller but very stylish version of Jones & Emmons’ best work. We’re in love with the fireplace wall (above) and whoever remodeled here did a great job transforming the cramped ’50s baths. The pool takes up most of the back yard, which is not a bad thing. We think this will sell quickly. Open Saturday, March 17 and Sunday, March 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
