Studio City Archives

HOLLYWOOD HILLS MEDITERRANEAN REVIVAL CLASSIC

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Hollywood Hills Mediterranean Revival Classic

1553 N. GENESEE AVENUE, LOS ANGELES | $2,649,000 | 3 BD | 3 BA

At the base of the Hollywood hills just East of Fairfax lies the Sunset Square neighborhood. It is clear that the owners of this idyllic Spanish home chose to preserve and restore this home with dignity. One of our favorite features is the original elegant wedding cake detailing in the living and dining rooms. The owners have seamlessly Mediterranean revival classic blended both vintage and new with their choice of modern furniture and light fixtures. A stroll around the backyard’s lush landscaping conjures an appreciation for the simplicity of nature. And, we appreciate the victory gardens and fruit trees.

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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.

BRENTWOOD KOENIG HOUSE #2 MID-CENTURY MASTERPIECE

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Brentwood Koenig House #2 Mid-Century Masterpiece

12221 DOROTHY STREET, BRENTWOOD | $4,995,000 | 3 BD | 3 BA

An exceptional modernist house built in the 80’s? Why, yes, Koenig House #2 by modernist architect Pierre Koenig is quite the specimen. This home represents one of over forty steel and glass residences built by the architect during his career. Another graduate from the prolific U.S.C. school of architecture, Koenig went on to work with the likes of Raphael Soriano, Edward Fickett, Frank Lloyd Wright. His designs for a low-cost production house were published in Arts and Architecture, ultimately leading to his participating in the Case Study program, contributing Case Study #21 and #22. He built this house for himself and his wife Gloria. His ongoing belief in using industrial materials and methods to produce low-cost housing continues with this residence. The frame is said to have been erected in one day.

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SANTA MONICA THE SCHWARTZ HOUSE PIERRE KOENIG

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Santa Monica The Schwartz House Pierre Koenig

444 SYCAMORE ROAD, SANTA MONICA | $4,550,000 | 4 BD | 4 BA

It’s astounding that the architect responsible for Case Study Houses #21 and #22 in the 50’s and 60’s was still building homes in the 90’s. As as a graduate of the USC School of Architecture, Koenig was exposed to and worked with many of the most notable modernist architects of his day. The Schwartz house in Santa Monica’s Rustic Canyon would be the last of his designs built during his lifetime.

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HOLLYWOOD HILLS CLASSIC MID-CENTURY MODERN RANCH

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Hollywood Hills Classic Mid-Century Modern Ranch

8559 EDWIN DRIVE, HOLLYWOOD HILLS | $3,350,000 | 3 BD | 4 BA

While we couldn’t find a known modernist architect on public records, this Hollywood Hills Mid Century Modern ranch fits the Cliff May or Edward Fickett mold quite nicely. This home is going to need some love, but, there’s lots to like already. The rock wall features prominently in common rooms. Oversized floor to ceiling glass in the living room allows for an infusion of light. High ceilings with beams that lead the eye towards vistas of the Valley. What’s not to love about the pink primary bedroom and bathroom. And, of course there’s a nice pool to sit by (or in) for Friday night martinis.

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HOLLYWOOD SIGNS: THE GOLDEN AGE OF GLITTERING GRAPHICS AND GLOWING NEON

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Hollywood Signs: The Golden Age of Glittering Graphics And Glowing Neon

We recently discovered a book called Hollywood Signs: The Golden Age of Glittering Graphics and Glowing Neon. What an absolute treat for design and Hollywood history fans alike. While we at Modern Living LA tend to focus on houses and buildings, these iconic signs play a pivotal roll in our appreciation of the structures they adorn. Great design lies at the intersection of architecture and these historic signs.

Several of these signs were actually created by the architectural firms commissioned to design the buildings. The still standing Cinerama Dome Theater by Welton Becket and Associates exhibits its playfully colorful letters in bright lights. Sardi’s restaurant designed by Rudolph Schindler displays an elegant neon sign in sans serif font. The streamline moderne Earl Carroll Theater on Sunset Blvd by Gordon Kaufman generously used neon in the exterior signs and vertical piping along the building sides. We’re told it is going thru a renovation and may reopen. The building was originally praised in California Arts and Architecture (the predecessor to Arts and Architecture magazine).

We have a new found appreciation for these remarkable sign and value the efforts made to save the ones we’ve not lost. And, a special thanks to Kathy Kikkert for preserving all of these signs on the pages of her book.

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HOLLYWOOD HILLS MOUNT OLYMPUS CLASSIC SPANISH

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Hollywood Hills Mount Olympus Classic Spanish

1725 MOUNT OLYMPUS DRIVE, LOS ANGELES | $3,455,000 | 3 BD | 3 BA

Classic 1920’s Spanish architecture on lower Mount Olympus Drive in the Hollywood Hills. An inviting private courtyard greets you upon approach. Gorgeous engraved beamed ceilings, Spanish tile and arched doorways are featured prominently in the living room. A step-down room adjacent with stunning wood floors is currently being used a pool/billiards room.

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HOLLYWOOD SPAULDING SQUARE PICTURE PERFECT

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Hollywood Spaulding Square Picture Perfect

JUST SOLD | 1445 GENESEE AVE, SPAULDING SQUARE | $3,855,000 | 5 BD | 6 BA

Picture perfect and magazine shoot ready. We were stunned to find out that the sellers of this spectacular home were not full-time designers. They recently updated this 1920’s traditional home in the architectural neighborhood of Spaulding Square. The attention to detail that went into this restoration really shows. We were told the owners had the molds for the original crown molding and were able to reproduce and enhance the look throughout the home.

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THE DOUGLAS BUILDING, HISTORIC CULTURAL MONUMENT #966

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The Douglas Building, Historic Cultural Monument #966

The Douglas Building, Historic Cultural Monument #966 JUST SOLD | The Douglas Building, Historic Cultural Monument #966, is located in downtown Los Angeles. It has a rich history dating back to the late 18th century. The Douglas Building, originally constructed in 1898-1899, served as the original headquarters for the Southern Pacific Railway ticketing office in its early years. Thomas Douglas Stimson commissioned the San Francisco architectural firm of the Reid Brothers to design this five-story office building. The Reid Brothers had gained fame in Southern CA for designing the remarkable Hotel del Coronado in Coronado, CA, along with the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. The late 20th century saw much of downtown’s historic architecture falling into disrepair, the Douglas Building was no exception. Thankfully, in the early 2000s, the building was restored by preservation specialists, Chattel Architecture. Many of the original details remain intact. The building was converted into loft-style apartments during its renovation, and it now offers residential spaces for sale. Today, the building is recognized as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument, protecting its historic significance and character. Congratulations to our wonderful Buyer on acquiring a unit in this historical building!

SHERMAN OAKS TIMELESS TREASURE TED TOKIO TANAKA, FAIA

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Sherman Oaks Timeless Ted Tokio Tanaka, FAIA

Sherman Oaks Timeless Treasure Ted Tokio Tanaka, FAIA

3937 SUMAC DR, SHERMAN OAKS | $3,200,000 | 4 BD | 3 BA

Architecture is timeless. At first glance we thought we stumbled upon something amazing from the late 70’s or early 80’s (we know, not likely). But this house from Ted Tokio Tanaka, FAIA was built in 1940. Gorgeous wood gives way to vertical and horizontal glass windows. Bright green accents in several rooms are bold frames for this geometric treasure. Museum-like high ceilings define the living room and library. Rows of windows allow for natural light and stunning views of mature trees which surround the property. Intriguing form extends to the quadrilateral pool with various length sides. A canopy of trees creates abundant shade for outdoor endeavors. This exceptional modern house is a one-of-a-kind treasure.

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