Exciting news everyone! The organizers of the MAK Architecture Tour 2013 have graciously agreed to give one lucky reader of this blog two free tickets for this amazing event on June 23rd. This year features a fantastic lineup and tickets cost $70 so be sure to enter!

In honor of the tour I thought it would be fun to have our own “virtual architectural tour” to pick a winner.

How to enter:

1. Take a photo of a house you think is cool and interesting (your house, your neighbor’s house, any house!)
2. Post the photo to Instagram or Twitter and hashtag it #TakeSunsetMAK.
3. The deadline to post your photo is Thursday, June 20th at 3pm. After this point I will choose a random photo using random.org.
4. One entry per person.
5. Good luck!

Once this is over I will post the best pics on the blog with links to the account who took it. If you are not on Instagram you can download the app here and be sure to follow me as well. Follow me on Twitter here.

Homes to be featured on this year’s tour:

Spiller House (Frank Gehry, 1980)
Alan Voo House (Neil M. Denari Architects, house renovation / extension, 2007)
Peter Alexander Studio (Peter Alexander, 1999)
Petal House (Eric Owen Moss, 1982)
2-4-6-8 House (Morphosis, 1978)

12400 Deerbrook Lane
Los Angeles CA, 90049
3BR, 1.75BA
1,548 square feet
$1,400,000

Just listed is the Siegel House by architect A. Quincy Jones. High up in the Santa Monica Mountains of Brentwood, with sweeping city and ocean views, this historic 1950 Mid-Century Modern home is one of the most important of the small number remaining from this forward-looking postwar housing experiment. Still owned by the original family, one of four founders of the Mutual Housing Association, this home was literally the first built among 500 planned for this award-winning neighborhood.

Eight-foot sliding glass doors allow the open plan to flow freely outdoors to patios and private gardens, creating the illusion of a home twice its actual size.

The architecture is elegantly simple, with form following function: a low-slung roof with tongue-and-groove ceilings held aloft by exposed beams and slender posts, creating clerestory windows on two sides.

The family has posted some great old photos from when the home was being built.

The property is eligible for Mills Act status, which would save thousands of dollars annually in property taxes. In my opinion A. Quincy Jones is in a class all his own so this is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to restore.

See This House In Person!

Listing courtesy of Scott King and Brian Linder, Deasy Penner & Partners

…then we should talk! The market is red hot in Los Angeles and 2013 has been a great year for the sellers I have been working with so far. I created this web site for two reasons: to feature amazing homes for sale in LA, and also to feature my own listings to a large captive audience. In the past two months I have been fortunate to represent sellers who have reaped the benefits of this and were able to get great prices for their homes:

2338 Silver Ridge Ave – Allyn Morris duplex in Silver Lake. Sold for $879,000.
3507 Fernwood Ave – Steven Hill-designed modern home in Silver Lake. Listed for $1,150,000 and sold for $1,356,000.
2126 N Gower Ave – Richard Neutra and Paul Hoag triplex in Beachwood Canyon. Sold for $1,154,500.
2850 Nichols Canyon Rd – ModOp Design rehab in Nichols Canyon. Listed for $749,000 and sold for $789,000.

There are many more buyers than sellers right now (especially for architecturally interesting homes), so if you are thinking of listing your home please give me a call or email me. Here are a few words from the happy seller of 3507 Fernwood:

“We were in a bind. We were out-of-towners who owned a great house in Silver Lake — which we had rented to not-so-great tenants.  When it came time to sell, a realtor friend directed me to Rob Kallick.  That proved to be the best referral ever!   Rob talked with us about our options in a clear and professional way, and then gave us time to think things through before making any decisions. We felt informed but not pressured.   When we decided to put money into the house before putting it on the market, Rob found a terrific contractor and he also oversaw all of the work.  I was worried that without one of the owners being there that things would bog down, but in fact it was the opposite. Rob moved things along in record time, and the work that was done was first rate.

When it came time to put the house on the market, Rob really shone. The photos he had taken of the house were gorgeous, the open house was attended by over 250 people, and within five days we had over 15 offers, all at or above our asking price!  I really do attribute this to Rob’s understanding of the Silver Lake market, his eye for the potential of the property, and his professional conduct from start to finish.  We are very happy clients and I can’t recommend him highly enough.” – Susan L.

The MAK Center’s 2013 tour is Sunday, June 23rd and it will feature architecture related to its current exhibition Everything Loose Will Land and other shows in the Getty Foundation’s Pacific Standard Time Presents: Modern Architecture in L.A. I have been on the tour before and it’s a great opportunity to see some amazing houses.

Homes featured on this year’s tour – it’s nice to see so many post 1970!

Spiller House (Frank Gehry, 1980)
Alan Voo House (Neil M. Denari Architects, house renovation / extension, 2007)
Peter Alexander Studio (Peter Alexander, 1999)
Petal House (Eric Owen Moss, 1982)
2-4-6-8 House (Morphosis, 1978)

TICKETS
Self-drive: $70, $60 for Friends of the MAK Center and students with I.D.
Shuttle option surcharge: $60

Click here for more info and to order tickets.

4217 Cromwell Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
2BR, 2BA
1,574 square feet
$1,100,000

A few years ago I showed a house a 4213 Cromwell and I remember thinking how amazing the house next door looked. And now here it is! This 1939 traditional has been totally remodeled and re-designed by published architect Michael Johnston AIA.

This sleek state of the art “Moderne” includes upgrades to systems, new high end kitchen, baths, “smart” lighting, and sound system throughout the house.

It’s set high above the street with stunning views of the city beyond.

There is new low water landscape and lighting design surrounding the house.

Easy access to restaurants, shops of Los Feliz and close proximity to the park make this a city dweller’s dream come true. This is an amazing house in a prime Los Feliz location and perfect for someone looking for a high-end high-quality home.

See This House In Person!

Listing courtesy of Boni Bryant and Joe Reichling, Sotheby’s Int’l Realty – Los Feliz.

8530 Hedges Pl
Los Angeles CA, 90046
4 BR, 4 BA
$7,995,000

One of the great homes in LA has hit the market: The Wolff House by John Lautner. Lautner is responsible for many of SoCal’s definitive modernist homes, but this may very well be his best. Built in 1961, this is a true work of art using wood, stone and glass to merge form, space and function. The home has been on the market a few times in the past decade and has been fully renovated and restored.

The living room has nearly 16 foot ceilings with walls of glass to feature the city below.

Designer details include a Balthaup stainless kitchen and a grand master bedroom with private pool and pavilion.

Love this floating staircase.

The pool takes advantage of the magical Sunset Strip setting.

This is an opportunity to own a true significant architectural statement. There are few homes like this in the world so the new owner will be in possession of a truly one-of-a-kind property!

See This House In Person!

Listing courtesy of Aaron Kirman, John Aaroe Group.

2028 Sanborn Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
2 BR, 1.5 BA
$889,000

Built in 1952 and located in a private cul de sac in the Franklin Hills section of Los Feliz, this light filled mid-century residence was completely remodeled with a permitted addition by the owner/architect, Craig Maldonado.

The 1,323 square foot home features thoughtfully designed interiors and exteriors to maximize its location. The residence offers an open floor plan, wood beamed ceilings, hardwood floors, skylights, central fireplace, remodeled kitchen, and sunset views.

The 2 bedroom, 1.5 baths house also includes an indoor teak soaking tub, upgraded electrical, and reverse-osmosis water filtration system.

The residence is sited on a 4,328 square foot terraced lot, set into the picturesque hillside and surrounded by shade trees. There are private, multi-tiered decks overlooking the neighborhood community garden, an outdoor shower, and a two-car garage that could be converted into a studio since there is also ample street parking.

This home provides the perfect year round indoor/outdoor Southern California living. And it is just minutes away from everything Los Feliz and Silver Lake has to offer.

See This House In Person!

Listing courtesy of Crystal Heatherly, Deasy Penner & Partners.

11001 Bellagio Place
Los Angeles, CA 90077
4 BR, 5 BA
$12,879,000

This mid-century marvel in Bel Air was the personal residence of architect John B. Parkin. The spectacular home has not been on the market since it was built in 1968.

The home look like a pristine set from Mad Men, full of enviable mid-century furniture and art.

The 5,641 square foot residence features the original open floor plan that is both functional and dramatic with abundant walls for art and incredible spaces for entertaining.

The four-bedroom, five-bath residence includes a a spacious dining room, living room, and den/office.

The home also includes an alarm system, built-ins, and a fireplace in living room.

The residence is sited on a breathtaking view lot with 2.6 verdant acres, a private pool, and 3-car garage.

This incredible estate is a once in a lifetime offering.

See This House In Person!

Listing courtesy of Patricia Hodson, Sotheby’s International Realty.

1966 Lucile Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90039
3 BR, 2 BA
$1,399,000

The Fischer Residence, built in 1957 by Eugene Weston III, is a fine example of mid-century post and beam architecture. The 1,872 square foot home residence is extremely tranquil and private, set back from the street and up a private driveway.

Located in prime Silver Lake and within the Ivanhoe Elementary School District, the home  features walls of glass, an open floor plan and stunning panoramic views.

The three-bedroom, 2-bath residence offers beautiful architectural details, including high beamed ceilings; built-ins; cork walls; louver windows; George Nelson Bubble Lamps; and hardwood, cork, and stone floors.

Upgrades to this well-maintained home include: sewer, plumbing, drain, roof, landscaping, and irrigation.

The residence is sited on a 18,382 square foot lot with a terraced garden, patio, and detached promontory deck with in-ground spa. There’s also a two-car garage with room for additional parking in the driveway.

This spectacular mid-century home offers exceptional privacy, tranquility, and great views!

See This House In Person!

Listing courtesy of Grace Gaerlan, Coldwell Banker-Los Feliz.

6705 Comet Street
Los Angeles, CA 90042
3 BR, 2 BA
$599,000

This newly listed ranch in Highland Park, built in 1949, and recently remodeled to provide modern comfort and convenience in a quiet, rustic setting.

The 1,643 square foot home features beautiful open-beamed ceilings and a brick hearth in the living room and newer flooring surfaces throughout, including bamboo, tile and wood.

Light streams in through the Douglas Fir windows and there is easy access to the landscaped yard.

The 3 bedroom, 2 bath residence includes a large kitchen with a built-in dining banquette, as well as a laundry room, walk-in closet, plus plenty of space for storage.

The master suite opens to a private back yard with a raised planting box.

The home’s second and third bedrooms are tandem–ideal for siblings or to combine as an office plus creative space.

The residence is sited on a 7,415 square foot newly landscaped lot.

There’s also a two-car garage with direct access to the house. The residence is set within the natural beauty of the Arroyo Seco, where you’ll find bike paths, hiking trails, horse stables, and parks, along with dining and shopping.

See This House In Person!

Listing courtesy of Tracy B Do, John Aaroe Group.