Pasadena Thomas and Barbara Wirick House by Calvin Straub
1617 PLEASANT WAY, PASADENA | $2,980,000 | 3 BD | 2 BA
Poppy Peak in Pasadena is one neighborhood in the greater Los Angeles region that holds its own when it comes to architecture. The Thomas and Barbara Wirick House by Calvin Straub circa 1958 is a prime example of this excellence. This post and beam home was finished just as Calvin would be joining the firm of Buff and Hensman that year to combine talents. Buff, Straub, and Hensman would be architecture’s version of a super group. And, the hits kept coming.
The Thomas & Barbara Wirick House, designed in 1958 by Calvin Straub, FAIA, marks a key moment as he joined Conrad Buff and Donald Hensman to form the influential Buff, Straub & Hensman firm. Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, the home is celebrated as a definitive example of residential post-and-beam architecture, with a unique composition of framing and walls.
The upper entry level overlooks a double-height living and dining space with expansive glazing, creating an open, connected feel. An adjoining office features a hidden door to carport storage and provides elevator access to both floors. The primary bedroom suite, which can be screened off for privacy, overlooks the living area and connects to a walk-in closet and bathroom.
A staircase with clerestory windows leads to the glass-walled lower level, where the living and dining area embraces the landscape. An alcove near the fireplace offers a cozy retreat within the open layout, while the kitchen retains original finishes like wood and stainless-steel countertops, vintage appliances, and stained cabinetry. Sliding doors open to a large deck shaded by mature trees. Integrated outdoor spaces blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, featuring brick patios, paving, and planted areas.
Original cork flooring and built-in furniture extend into two downstairs bedrooms, each with built-in desks, cabinetry, and bunk beds. The home, located in the Poppy Peak Historic District, benefits from a Mills Act contract with reduced property taxes. Recent upgrades include electrical, plumbing, and structural improvements, preserving Straub’s architectural vision—an enduring example of post-and-beam design, inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement and California’s early modernists.
Pasadena Thomas and Barbara Wirick House by Calvin Straub.
Listing courtesy of Lilian Pfaff and Nate Cole, Modern California House
If you would like to know more about this amazing home, contact Brian Courville at 310-622-0312. Or, for additional Mid-Century Modern | Architectural homes, Spanish homes, Historic Los Angeles homes or Classic Los Angeles homes for sale reach us by email at: Brian Courville. If you are considering selling, contact us for a free no-obligation home valuation.
