In this Corner, Gregory Ain. In this corner, Pierre Koenig...

 5786 Valley Oak Drive

Built in 1952 and designed by renowned LA architect Gregory Ain, this is a great house. It has clean lines, tons of light from all angles and exudes sophistication, panache... élan.

It is a surprisingly large home for Ain who was known for bringing modernist features to more modest homes and apartments. With 4 Bedrooms and 3 Bathrooms. The main house is 2,493 SF and sits on a great 16,850 SF lot.

The house hangs prominently at the elbow of a winding, private, gated street.  You might be thinking, "why would they need a gate in the Oaks?"  Well, "Valley Oak" is a deceiving name for this street as it indicates that the home is "in" the Oaks.  Actually it is just a few blocks up Canyon from Franklin!  Personally, I find this to be a plus as it is much more convenient.  It's good enough for Brad and Angelina (who own a compound a stones throw away), so it should be good enough for you!

On par with the front of the house, the back of the house delivers in spades revealing a wonderful patio, lap-pool, gardens and the most surprising attribute of the property...

 A steel-beamed guest house with a wall of sliding glass.

Surprising because it was designed by another renowned So-Cal architect, Pierre Koenig.

Koenig, yet ANOTHER Trojan alum is most remembered for "Case Study House 22," perhaps one of the most iconic homes of all time. FIGHT ON!

Kudos to the person who said, "I want a case study "pool" house dammit!" and hired Koenig to create it in their back yard (this century)!

Offered by Karen Medved of Keller Williams Studio City

The home is very strangely priced at: $1,999,951.  That is pretty exact. Huh?  I wonder what the conversation was that led to that final number.  Did the agent and seller haggle over that last dollar?   Perhaps it is a cultural, good luck thing. Maybe they will do a 1 dollar price reduction somewhere down the line.

Like I said before, this is a great house.  It has a lot going for it but it's not perfect.  Personally, I would pull out the carpet and put in more wood. That's just me. Hey, It's your almost $2 million.

If you want to see it, email me or call 310-991-3808

MINTZ

Red With Envy: Allyn Morris' Home/Studio in Silver Lake

A rare gem hits the block today in Silver Lake. Allyn Morris' studio built is in 1958 proves instantly that someone's aesthetic can literally transcend time.

This is less a home and more appropriately: a piece of art. It is not comfortable.  It is confusing at times. And it makes you think, "could I actually live here?" Regardless of the home's perplexing nature it effectively shows a confluence of imagination and whimsy with practicality and efficiency.

The space is so unusually conceived with its bedroom 3 floors up, just beyond the entrance.

Per the listing, "Meticulously restored & preserved by the current owner, & retaining original custom bathroom fixtures, mosaic, brickwork, glass and hardware, with an updated kitchen following the original blueprints with approval from Morris himself."

I think the phone beside the bed shows the importance of an attention to detail that the current owner placed on the restoration. Nice touch!!!

The structure flows from top to bottom, revealing a world of fantasy and intrigue all the way down to the 1st floor office.

Julius Schulman called it the best work Morris ever did.

Offered by Michael Phillips of Crosby Doe Associates

The property is a scant 1,026 SF on a 4,800 SF lot. It is listed for $668,000.

If you want to own it, please EMAIL ME or call anytime: (310) 991-3808

MINTZ

Grand Theft Abode- Steal this house!

  

2190 Talmadge St. in Los Feliz

It’s called “The Gogol House, 1939” according to the listing.  Raphael Soriano is the architect responsible.  At $1,195,000 this 2,779 SF home built in 1939 could be yours! The current owner purchased it for $915K in 2003 (over asking).

 

Soriano was an influential figure in the evolution of “mid-century” architecture; home design practices and their implementation.  This is a great example of his early work.

 

It is important to note that he is a fellow Trojan, having graduated from USC in 1934… FIGHT ON!

What do you get for your million-two?  3 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms, decks, glass and a great pedigree to hang on your wall!

 

The listing rightfully states that this is “a rare opportunity to own an important residence by an iconic, mid-century modern architect.”  

 

 

 

Offered by Deasy Penner & Partners

If you want to see it, send me an email or call me at: (310) 991-3808

MINTZ 

"A tale of 2 Ficketts" or "Now You CAN Be Fickle About Fickett"

Two great Ficketts in one week?  Not far from each other either!  This property, located at 3122 Nichols Canyon Rd. in Nichols Canyon, is the 2nd offering in the past few days built in the same neighborhood in the same year by the same guy... MY fellow Trojan, Edward Fickett. The man designed over 60,000 homes, so I guess it's understandable.

Nevertheless, it is a spectacular home that has been tastefully updated and renovated, yet it seems to maintain Eddie's original intention.

The 2,510 SF house is perched on a respectable 8,400 SF lot with 4 bedrooms & 3.5 bathrooms.

There seem to be so many walls of glass that I think you are going to have to invest in some freestanding art.  There is nowhere to hang your Calder!

Per the listing: "The open living plan revolves around a dramatic glass atrium that anchors the center of the house and provides incredible light."

"Floor-to-ceiling sliders open the entire rear of the house to the pool & decks."

This is a great house for realizing your California dream.  Fickett masterfully arranges space, both indoor and out, for relaxation among simplicity.... But, you can put your racket away. This one doesn't have a cantilevered tennis court either!

Offered by Geoff Clark of Deasy Penner & Partners

The property is listed for $1,895,000

If you want to see it, shoot me an email or give me a call at: (310) 991-3808

MINTZ