The Alfred Newman Estate
When you think of Los Angeles, not one specific architectural style comes to mind as the standard. Sometimes its a bit confusing when you look around an see a Spanish Hacienda adjacent to a rip off of Philip Johnson's Glass House.
““The architecture is really consistent isn’t it? There’s French next to Spanish next to Tudor next to Japanese.””
Los Angeles' architectural variety does have an upside: it drew, and still draws, many prominent architects to the area to build in their signature style. One of these architects was Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright designed dozens of houses in the area (most notably the Hollyhock House and the Enis House) including the recently listed Alfred Newman House.
Exterior of the Alfred Newman House
The Alfred Newman House is a part of the Alfred Newman Estate and was recently listed by The Agency. Located in the Pacific Palisades, the compound includes the F.L.W. designed home and another Cape Cod style home. The adjacent structure is pretty, but looks like a Chrysler sitting next to a (Frank Lloyd Wright designed) Porsche. The houses sit on over three acres of The Palisades finest real estate off just off Sunset Boulevard. Lloyd Wright designed the original house in 1948 for Oscar winning composer Alfred Newman and his wife.
Sketch of The Alfred Newman House
Original Interior Sketch by F.L.W.
Photo circa 1955
Lloyd Wright's plan for this house hammered together the ranch style and an A-frame design. The peaked roof adds drama and breaks up his trademark long horizontal lines. The barn like structure is the perfect combination of simple and dramatic. F.L.W.'s signature use of red brick and natural wood siding blends beautifully into the rustic landscape (punny because its located in Rustic Canyon) and allows you to feel as if you have escaped from the city. Lloyd Wright's ability to build structures that seamlessly fuse to the landscape around them is what has always drawn me to this work. I mean who wouldn't want to live in a house that sits atop a waterfall like his pièce de résistance located in Pennsylvania.
Rear Facade
Motor Court Facade
The interior of the home echoes the neo-Japanese nature of the exterior with its long and low shapes and asymmetrical layout. The brick inside the home has been perfectly preserved and integrated into the updated kitchen. The owners (and the previous owner, Diane Keaton) kept the home in tact and aimed to show off F.L.W.'s timeless design. Some of the notable interior features includes four original wood burning fireplaces to keep your well heeled feet warm, two standalone guest suites, and a large wine cellar for your extensive collection of Super Tuscans.
Living Room
Kitchen with Integrated Brick Backsplash
Master Bedroom Fireplace and Sitting Room
Sitting just behind the house is a large hexagonal pool (a shape that Lloyd Wright was famous for using) with a beautiful, but not original, outdoor fireplace built in the same style as the house. The pool deck overlooks the hollow that the lower house sits in and connects to an additional (yes there is still more) one acre lawn and garden.
Rear Facade from Pool Deck
F.L.W. Style Outdoor Fireplace
Overview of the property
Owning a Frank Lloyd Wright designed home is a privilege that only few can afford. Unfortunately for me, I probably won't ever reach that tax bracket. But, if you aren't ballin on a budget and would like to purchase this slice of architectural history contact The Agency and make a listing appointment. Of course you will have to be "pre-approved" before the viewing to make sure you're not just an annoying real-estalker like myself without the funds to back up your curiosity.
Rustic Lane Estate - $39,900,000
Cheers,
Hugh
