Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Gesner's "Sandcastle" Just Footsteps Away From Malibu Beach

An architectural treasure and an icon of Malibu design with 122 feet of beachfront, "Sandcastle" was the 1974 post and beam hand-built home of visionary architect (and surfer) Harry Gesner. Offered for sale for the first time for $22,500,000, this tranquil Western Malibu oceanfront property located at 33604 Pacific Coast Highway is, according to Gesner, "a dream place, built with love." 

When the young architect set out to build his family home, he had big ideas, little money, and an abiding passion for the natural beauty of the secluded cove with a nearby surf break and an empty plot right next door to his most famous building, Wave House. 

With a roofline inspired by a sandcastle, Gesner was determined to build a home that would fulfill what turned out to be a lifelong philosophy: "You have to have a view. You want perspective to your life." 



The home's texture was determined in part by the materials he salvaged as an early evangelist of sustainable construction: telephone poles, reclaimed bricks, wall panels made from aqueduct pipes, birdseye maple from a high school gym, old-growth redwood harvested in the 1800s, and windows and doors saved from one of Hollywood's silent film theaters. 

As Gesner said about Sandcastle in Houses of the Sundown Sea: The Architectural Vision of Harry Gesner, the book about his life and work, "The spirit in the design and materials are what you immediately feel in this house. All people who enter and spend a brief period or long time here immediately feel at home and relaxed. The experience never becomes commonplace or boring because over everything is the sound and rhythm of the waves breaking on the shore in front of the house." 

At the home's entry is a lovely library/sitting area with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and ocean views. With massive spoke-like beams and a wood-plank ceiling, the heart of the main house is a window-wrapped space that comprises generously scaled living and dining areas with an enormous brick fireplace at its hub. 

Inspired by the Hollywood Bowl, Gesner built the fireplace as a stage for his wife, actress Nan Martin, with a huge polished concrete hearth. 

A lovely solarium with stained glass panels flanks the dining area, and the ocean views enjoyed from the interior areas extend to the wraparound deck just outside.

Echoing the cylindrical shape of the house itself, the kitchen wraps around a circular island and has tile countertops, stained glass lunettes fitted into the beams overhead, a fireplace, updated appliances, a breakfast bar, and a walk-in pantry. 

On the home's main level are two en-suite bedrooms, one with built-ins suitable for an office.Upstairs is the primary suite tower, with high ceilings, huge beams, charming eyebrow windows, a brick fireplace, an ocean-view sitting area, and a spiral staircase with handmade driftwood treads leading up to a studio/loft/meditation space.




The property's additional structures include an ocean-view "tree house" apartment with a kitchenette, living room/dining area, bedroom, bath, and wraparound deck.




The site also includes a "boat house" with a full kitchen, ocean-view living/dining room with a built-in table and porthole windows, a full bath, and a bedroom. 



The "Sandcastle" compound also has another one-bedroom apartment "nest" with ocean view and stained glass above an indoor/outdoor cabana. There is also an open-air living area, deck, and teepee-covered daybed.



The approximately 0.73-acre property has a three-car garage and additional parking platform, a covered deck, a brick patio, lawn, an outdoor shower, surfboard and other storage areas, steps to the beach, and multiple vantage points for breathtaking sunset views. Sandcastle, which will be sold as is, has abundant outdoor space. 

A legacy estate with privacy, incomparable character, and singular style, the listing (MLS 23-271072) is held with Compass, the brokerage owned by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the man responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi with listing agents Christopher Cortazzo and Zen Gesner.  If you are a buyer without representation and would like more information, please reach out to Modern Homes Los Angeles for more information.  

Saturday, July 15, 2023

Cared for "Ito House", Josef Van der Kar, 1962

Impeccably cared-for mid-century modern "Ito House" by architect Josef Van der Kar is now on market.  The post-and-beam design was built in 1962 and provides ultimate privacy within the Wonderland Park enclave of modern homes in Laurel Canyon. The main house consists of 1,600-square feet of living space on a 32,416-square-foot site.  The home is listed for $3,500,000.  The current owners have brought this home back to life!  Now, it is time for its next steward to enjoy the home.









The "Ito House" residence is located at 8937 Wonderland Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 and you will want to look for Robinhood Ln for the entrance to this home.  The residence includes living and dining areas that open to the pool, spa, and expansive flat grounds.  With 3 bedrooms and 2 baths in the main residence, take in the splendid nature of the backyard and secluded position of this home.  


The original garage has been converted into a screening room with a period bathroom.  Also, a study/workshop has been added, along with a new carport within a gated parking plaza.  Note the Assessor's square footage does not account for the added footage of later alterations/additions.




Please reach out to Modern Homes Los Angeles if you are an unrepresented buyer looking for more information on this listing.  The home will be open to the public on Saturday, July 15, 2023 and Sunday, July 16, 2023 from 2pm-5pm.  

This beautiful listing (23-289621) is held with Crosby Doe Associates, Inc and Crosby Doe, agent.

Modern Tranquility in the Hills

Attributed to architect Gene Loose, this three bedroom and two bathroom modern with walls of glass is within 1,750-square-feet of living space on a tranquil 22,959-square-foot site.  The 1951 post-and-beam is located at 2357 Hermits Gln in the Laurel Canyon area of the Hollywood Hills-West area of Los Angeles.










The residence includes a dramatic cantilevered staircase ascending the hillside to the entry.  Original built-in cabinetry is found in the primary bedroom.  Redwood paneling is found in the interiors and flow to the exterior.  A terrazzo wrapped eat-in bar leads you into the kitchen.  The living room features cork flooring and a cozy fireplace.  An herb garden and barbecue are found in the ample-sized backyard with nature abound.


Please reach out to Modern Homes Los Angeles if you are an unrepresented buyer looking for more information on this listing.  The home will be open to the public on Saturday, July 15, 2023 and Sunday, July 16, 2023 from 2pm-5pm.  




This mid-century modern listing (23-278845) is held with Crosby Doe Associates, Inc and Ilana Gafni and Crosby Doe, agents.