Edward Fickett Mid Century Modern Home in Sherman Oaks Hits the Market

Images courtesy Sotheby's International Realty

15573 Briarwood Drive

3 Bed/2 Bath on 1,945 sqft on a total lot size of 0.26 acres built in 1955 in Sherman Oaks. The Fickett home is listed for $1,199,000 on April 2, 2014 and was last purchased on October 9, 2009 for $779,000.

According to the listing description, this home was designed by notable architect, Edward Fickett, who was dubbed the "creator of the San Fernando Valley" and the "Frank Lloyd Wrigt of the 50's." He has designed more than 60,000 structures including the pool complex at the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park, the extension of the Nethercutt Antique Car Museum in Sylmar, the original Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, the passenger and cargo terminals at the Port of Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Police Academy, and devised the master plans for the Edwards and Norton Air Force bases (LA Times and Daily News). 

I wasnt able to verify this home being specifically designed by Fickett but he designed so many homes if the SFV that there is a good possibility that this is a Fickett home. However, I was able to verify Fickett designed homes in the Sherman Oaks area located at 3461 Cody Road, 3676 Meadville Drive, 3695 N Scadlock Lane, 14145 Mulholland Drive (Fire Station #99), 3755 N Woodcliff Road, and in the Encino area at 16605 W Oldham Street (possible altered) and 16642 W Oldham Street through SurveyLA (Encino and Sherman Oaks). So buy with caution. 

The listing description states:

Palm Springs in Sherman Oaks! Edward H. Fickett, FAIA designed mid-century architectural with a pool and panoramic city views. Sophisticated 3 bedroom, 2 bath house, incredible windows, beams and fireplace with a fantastic indoor-outdoor feel. Perfect for entertaining. Lovingly restored while maintaining the integrity of the architect. Easy access to 405, 101 and Westside. A true gem and rare opportunity.

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Unknown Edward Fickett, Mid Century Modern, Real Estate, Sherman Oaks

Possible Demolished Gerard Colcord Designed Encino Home Hits The Market As A New Construction

Images courtesy Berkshire Hathaway HomeService

15963 Valley Vista Blvd (new home shown above)

5 Beds/5.5 Baths on 6,938 sqft on a total lot size of 0.43 acres ready for completion in 2015 and currently offered at $5,195,000. The listing description states:

Gorgeous Cape Cod Traditional set on serene tree-lined location adjacent to Royal Oaks. Craftmanship of utmost quality for that special buyer with fine taste. Construction to be completed in 2015. Amenities beyond one's imagination. Guest house opens to expansive and lush grounds perfect for California's year round climate.

The location of this home might be a former Gerard Colcord designed home according to Survey LA that was last sold on May 13, 2008 for $4,650,000 and I guess was demolished shortly thereafter to make way for this new construction. 

Gerard Colcord was a notable architect who designed many private residences in the SoCal area and was nicknamed "Hollywood's society architect" because he designed so many homes for the Hollywood stars especially in the Beverly Hills, Bel Air, and Encino areas. He passed away on February 19, 1984 at the age of 84 but many of his works can found today here and here. Most recently, a Sherman Oaks home known as the Longridge Estate designed by Colcord sold after remaining under the same owner for 43 years which can be read here. 

Image courtesy Bing Maps

Image courtesy Google Maps

Images courtesy Westside Estate Agency

The original home (shown above) measured 7 Baths/6 Baths on 5,044 sqft on a total lot size of 2.23 acres built in 1944. There are very little pictures of the original home aside from what I can find on the internet. Its too bad this home couldnt be saved especially if it was truly a Colcord design. The listing description of the original home stated:

Spectacular one of a kind estate property. 2.23 perfectly flat acres in prime South of the Boulevard, Encino. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own such a unique property. This is truly a MUST SEE estate. There is no limit to the property's potential.

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Unknown Encino, Gerard Colcord, Real Estate

Palmer & Krisel Designed Mid Century Modern Home in North Hollywood Hits The Market

Images courtesy Post and Beam Real Estate

12748 West Hartland Street

5 Beds/3 Baths on 2,085 sqft on a total lot size of 7,478 sqft built in 1954 in North Hollywood. The home first hit the market at $499,000 on January 15, 2014 and is already in escrow. The listing description states the home was designed by notable architects William Krisel and Dan Palmer who designed mid century modern homes for the Alexander Construction Company.  They designed throughout Los Angeles primarily in Palm Springs and San Diego. However, they also designed the Corbin Palms (and here) community in Woodland Hills off of Victory and Corbin. Some of their Woodland Hills examples have been featured on this blog here,, here, and here as well as in Van Nuys by Krisel here. The listing description states:

This mid century modern home was designed by visionary architect William Krisel and his partner Dan Palmer. Krisel emphasized livability and devised this airy dwelling with windows opening onto the bright expanse of the surrounding pool and drought tolerant landscape. Krisels' visionary style that defined the sensibility of modernist design in Southern California can be witnessed in this home's open living space and clerestory windows. Permitted additions, done with respect to the original style in the early 1960's, include an upstairs master suite and spacious dining room. The fifth bedroom has been converted into a cozy den that flows into the generous living space. Upgrades include a newer roof, central A/C, copper plumbing and double paned windows. Situated on a cul de sac in an enclave of Krisel designed homes, this property is a stunning example of what he called psychologically pleasing homes.

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Unknown Dan Palmer, Mid Century Modern, North Hollywood, Real Estate, William Krisel

Albert Van Dekker Residence by R.M. Schindler in Woodland Hills Back on the Market

[Update January 22, 2014]: This home sold for $700,000 on December 31, 2013. Cant wait to see the restoration. 

[Original Post]:

Images courtesy Architecture & Design Collection, University Art Museum, UC Santa Barbara

Above images courtesy LA Curbed

19950 Collier Street

4 Beds/3 Baths on 2,518 sqft on a total lot size of 0.47 acres built in 1940 designed by world renowned architect R.M Schindler in Woodland Hills available for $799,000 (Schindler also designed the Laurelwood Apartments and Goodwin House both in Studio City).  The price might seem like a good deal but the home needs major restoration work as the home has been neglected for many decades. 

The home was originally commissioned by Albert Van Dekker who was a stage and screen actor best known for playing 1940's Dr. Cyclops and evil villain Dr. Soberin in Kiss Me Deadly. Dekker later sold the property to Al "Buzz" Bezzerides, screenwriter for Kiss Me Deadly, who lived in the property up until his death in 2007 where it remained in neglect for close to 50 years. In 2009, the home was nominated for HCM status (and awarded in 2010) meaning it could never be tore down without special consideration and review and was purchased by Josh Gorrell who planned to restore the home to its former glory on October 16 for $580,000. Gorrell, so far, has replaced the roof and removed the septic tank and instead connected to the city sewer system but is now selling to focus on other endeavors. Since this home needs a lot of work, it appears that this home will need to find a special buyer who has the upfront cash, time, and desire to restore to its original condition which means it will probably be sitting on the market for awhile. You can read more about this home at LA Curbed and check out the latest renovation pictures in 2010 here and here. The listing description states: 

Your chance to own a piece of History. Built in 1940 and designed by the renowned master architect R. M. Schindler for Albert Van Dekker. This 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath three-story is situated on almost a half acre South of Ventura Blvd and exhibits character-defining features of Modern style and architecture. These features include but are not limited to: tightly interlocking volumes, folded planes, an asymmetrical roof, sloping walls & ceilings, polygonal windows, butt-glazed corners, exposed wood interiors, flagstone patios & fireplaces. Major repairs are required to preserve this historic landmark for future generations. (Sterling Realty)

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Unknown Al Bezzerides, Albert Van Dekker, LA Historical Cultural Monument, R.M. Schindler, Real Estate, Woodland Hills

The Derby House by Lloyd Wright in Glendale Hits The Market

[Update January 22, 2014]: This home sold for $1,590,000 on December 18, 2013. 

[Original Post]:

Images courtesy Dilbeck Real Estate Real Living

Images courtesy Google Maps

2535 East Chevy Chase Drive

5 Beds/2.75 Baths on 3,281 sqft on a total lot size of 1.53 acres built in 1926. The home is located in Glendale which hit the market on November 14, 2013 for $1.65 million. The home was designed by architect Lloyd Wright known as the Derby House who is always quoted as the son of the world renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright has designed many homes in Southern California but the only other building in the SFV designed by Wright that I know of  is the Mat House in Reseda unless there are others. If you know, please do share. 

According to the LA Times, this home was commissioned by businessman James Derby, his wife, and two sons. By the time the home was completed, the Derby's separated and "only Mrs. Derby and the children eventually lived within its mysterious walls." The article goes on to state the home was purchased by Michael and Carole Dougherty in 1974 for an unknown amount which helps explain the ridiculously low 2012 property taxes of $1,508. Gotta love Prop 13. A review of the property records at Zillow show the home was sold for $46,000 on October 28, 1986 but that seems to be an error because Blockshopper shows that Dougherty's still own the property. It appears from the Redfin, that the Dougherty's tried to sell the home back in the summer of 2002 but that could also be some kind of weird error. This home was declared a landmark on the National Register of Historical Places meaning the house cant be torn down or modified without obtaining special permission which will most likely be declined. 

The listing description states:

The Derby House was built in 1926 and was designed by Lloyd Wright, the son of Frank Lloyd Wright. This well restored residence is one of Lloyd Wright's strongest achievement. His genius at integrating nature and building is evident; the garage gates, fireplace grates, French door grills and closets are abstract renderings of the yucca plants growing on the surrounding hills. The Derby House is on the National Register Of Historical Places. Except for one bathroom and the designer kitchen, the house is basically unaltered. A double-storied living room features a fireplace with eight foot high wrought iron gates & overlooks mature oak trees in the garden. The redesigned kitchen with it granite counters, oak floors, leaded glass panes & cabinets compliment the original style of the house. Hexagonal dining room with floor-to-ceiling fireplace. Four adjacent lots which make the total lot size 1.5 acres are included in purchase price.

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Unknown Frank Lloyd Wright, Glendale, Lloyd Wright, Real Estate, The Derby House