CITY WITHIN A CITY

Well, this post technically isn’t a place we’ve lost. It’s more about a place that could have been and never was.

In the late 1950’s Wilshire Blvd between Crenshaw and La Brea was referred to by some as the “Dead Mile”. The underdeveloped stretch lacked any of the Art Deco or Spanish Colonial Revival style buildings that dotted Wilshire to the West. But, did you know that plans were drawn up in 1959 to create a City within a City right in the Brookside neighborhood? The architecture firm of Charles Luckman (Los Angeles Forum, Kennedy Space Center, Madison Square Garden) was hired to develop plans that would include a hotel, apartments, restaurants and a park all linked by covered walkways. All this was to take place on the South side of Wilshire between Tremaine and Rimpau. The area of New York’s Radio City Music Hall and its surrounding buildings was to be the blue print. Obviously this plan was not realized. How different this neighborhood would have been. 


If you would like to know more, contact Brian Courville at 310-622-0312. Or, for additional information on Mid-Century Modern | Architectural homesSpanish 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.

MAR VISTA GREGORY AIN, ARCHITECT MODERNIQUE HOMES

Mar Vista Gregory Ain, Architect Modernique Homes

Mar Vista Gregory Ain, Architect Modernique Homes

3550 MEIER STREET, Los Angeles | $2,495,000 | 3 BD | 2 BA

With as many examples of modernist architecture in Los Angeles, we, surprisingly, have few realized planned modern communities.  This Gregory Ain designed house for the Modernique tract in Mar Vista is one of those few homes.  A progressive architect who was arguably kept out of the Case Study program due to his controversial communist leaning views was still able to make a substantial impact on the landscape of Southern California modern homes.  We know get to consider ourselves lucky to be associated with Ain.


If you would like to know more, call 310.622.0312 or email Brian Courville. Whether Mid Century ArchitecturalSpanishLuxury, or Classic Los Angeles design, MODERN LIVING LA is here to guide you home. Follow us on Instagram @modernlivingla

Designated one of the Top 7 real estate websites for modern homes in the world by thespaces.com

LOS FELIZ EDWARD FICKETT THE JACOBSON RESIDENCE

Los Feliz Edward Fickett the Jacobson Residence

Los Feliz Edward Fickett the Jacobson Residence

4520 DUNDEE DR., LOS FELIZ | $6,849,000 | 3 BD | 5 BA

Our experience with Edward Fickett mid century architecture usually has us pining away a casual day by the pool in Palm Springs. The Jacobson Residence in Los Feliz has plenty of the signature mid-century open floor plan vibes and walls of glass. But this custom residence was designed with warm woods, red brick and split levels.


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 homesSpanish 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.

IF YOU COULD ONLY SEE WHAT WE’RE SEEING

If you could only see what we’re seeing…

When we heard about a land art installation 50 years in the making, let’s just say we were intrigued. It all seemed a bit mysterious from the start. We signed up for the lottery system on a website back in January of this year. Months later we received an acknowledgment that we had 4 tickets (of 6 daily) to visit the installation in the middle of the Nevada Desert.

A few days prior to our visit, we were given instructions on how to proceed to our secret destination. The day of our visit would have us leaving Las Vegas at 3:30 am in the morning and driving to the tiny town of Alamo, Nevada. We were then met by a friendly transportation guide who drove us another hour and a half through gov’t then private land owned by the artist Michael Heizer (all the while regaling us with stories of space aliens and Area 51). Upon arrival, we were given instructions and set on our way to explore the mile and a 1/2 art installation. The exhibitors required us to sign a consent saying that we won’t take or post any pictures of the installation as it is meant to be experienced live and not recorded.

There have been several articles published on the exhibit, so we’re reposting approved photos (we hope) here. Most Angelinos will know the artist by his Levitated Mass exhibit at LACMA (the giant suspended boulder one can walk under). We were informed that the artist purchased the land back in the late 70’s and it is just now finished and open to a select lucky few. If you’re intrigued, I would check out the website and get yourself signed up for tix.  www.tripleaughtfoundation.org  

THIS WAY FOR MORE THINGS WE LIKE…


If you would like to know more, call 310.622.0312 or email Brian Courville.
Whether Mid Century ArchitecturalSpanishLuxury, or Classic Los Angeles design, MODERN LIVING LA is here to guide you home. Follow us on Instagram @modernlivingla

Designated one of the Top 7 real estate websites for modern homes in the world by thespaces.com

TROUSDALE ESTATES THE CALVET RESIDENCE BY REX LOTERY, FAIA

Trousdale Estates the Calvet Residence by Rex Lotery, FAIA

1061 LOMA VISTA DRIVE, BEVERLY HILLS | $21,995,000 | 6 BD | 8 BA 

As much as we’d like to say Trousdale Estates never disappoints, let’s face it, some of the houses have been remodeled beyond recognition from the original modernist design. The Calvet Residence by Rex Lotery, FAIA, however, is stunning.


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 homesSpanish 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.  

LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF | DOCUMENTARY ON LOS ANGELES ARCHITECTURE

Ok cinephiles, who’s seen Los Angeles Plays Itself? If you haven’t, do yourself a favor and give it a look. Director Thom Andersen put together and intriguing documentary of how Los Angeles is depicted in film. And, as a treat for architecture lovers, there’s a whole section on modernist houses. Homes by John Lautner, Richard Neutra, Pierre Koenig and Frank Lloyd Wright are prominently featured in the film. Anderson humorously points out that these homes are often the residences of the movie’s villain. According to Hollywood filmmakers, I guess we are to believe that gangsters, pimps, pornographers and drug dealers all love masterful architecture.

It used to be only available to watch at film festivals or private screenings. But, thankfully with a click of a button, you can rent or buy it.


If you would like to know more about this Documentary On Los Angeles Architecture, contact Brian Courville at 310-622-0312. Or, for additional Mid-Century Modern | Architectural homesSpanish 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.

GLENDALE A QUINCY JONES ARCHITECTURAL

Glendale A Quincy Jones Architectural

Glendale A Quincy Jones Architectural

268 W KENNETH RD, GLENDALE | $5,900/month | 2 BD | 2 BA

Run, don’t walk. An A Quincy Jones architectural house for lease. This Sun Villa home has concrete, cork, glass and wood. Palm trees galore surrounding a classic mid century kidney shaped pool. This will be swept up in record time.  


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 homesSpanish 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.

BRENTWOOD MODERNIST UTOPIA: CRESTWOOD HILLS

Brentwood Modernist Utopia: Crestwood Hills

Brentwood Modernist Utopia: Crestwood Hills

We recently had the privilege of touring the first structure built in Crestwood Hills area of Brentwood. Known as the site office, it housed the office area for the architects, draftsman, engineers etc., working on what was then called the Mutual Housing Association. Conceived in the mid 1940’s (around the time of the development of the Case Study program), the Mutual Housing Association was supposed to be a blue print for California modern living post World War II. Four friends, returning veterans and musicians, concocted a plan to build four houses with a communal swimming pool.


If you would like to know more about this Brentwood Modernist Utopia: Crestwood Hills, contact Brian Courville at 310-622-0312. Or, for additional Mid-Century Modern | Architectural homesSpanish 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.

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE LLOYD WRIGHT EMANUEL GAINSBURG RESIDENCE

La Cañada Flintridge Lloyd Wright Emanuel Gainsburg Residence  

La Cañada Flintridge Lloyd Wright Emanuel Gainsburg Residence  

1210 JOURNEYS END DR,  LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE | $2,975,000 | 4 BD | 4 BA  

Another great Lloyd Wright home just hit the market in La Canada Flintridge. The Emanuel Gainsburg residence from 1946 does not disappoint. From a stunning roof line to ribbed concrete walls, this house has a generous amount of original details that make it so special. Unique room angles create geometric patterns making this a one-of-a-kind home. There has been some extensive renovation to the property. We may suggest the new owner rethink the flooring. But, overall, this is an exceptional masterpiece from one of the greatest modernist architects contributing to the Southern California landscape.   


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 homesSpanish 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.