Description

The Jack Lucas Residence, 1947, AKA 'Pyramid Bungalow.' Eric Black, Architect, with restoration and improvements by Tony Unruh, AIA. An early example of California modernism is classically expressed in this dramatic and private ridgetop residence. The original owner reportedly remarked that he wanted a house that would "always look modern." To that end, many of the classic modernist elements one would expect to find are celebrated here: floor to ceiling windows, ribbon-style corner windows facing southwest in the living room, primary bedroom, and guest room, Honduran mahogany walls (a tree which is now extinct), hand cast plaster, original cork floors, and handcrafted cabinetry. Architect Tony Unruh (specialist in the restoration of modernist architecture) supervised the addition of an 8-person spa overlooking Nichols canyon with views across the hills, city and to the ocean. Ipe wood decking around the spa intentionally forms the bow of a ship, and is accompanied by custom built ipe wood lounge chairs and ottomans around both pools, which will remain with the property. Mature fruit gardens extend down the Wilshire concrete landscaped pathways which include peaches, plums, pomegranates, grapes, mandarin oranges, kumquats, lemons, limes, avocado and grapefruit, all of which flourish each summer. Over 30 mature trees including five oaks, two palms, three jacarandas, sixty-foot bamboo, a Japanese maple, tall cypress and a five-trunk basil decorate the property to provide an exhilarating escape to nature. Two families of red-tailed hawks breed and hunt from the visible giant pines, and regularly glide across the breathtaking sunsets. Owls, squirrels, mockingbirds, bluejays, rabbits and other delightful creatures are also regular visitors. The top entrance to the hike at Runyon Canyon is only minutes away. The immediate neighbor to the north is a 7-acre vineyard, with the grape vines visible from the pools. The property has been featured in Vogue magazine and in campaigns for brands including Courreges, Prada, Fendi and Louis Vuitton.