Modern Masterpieces: A Survey of Lautner Homes Currently for Sale
Movie stars love living in them. Movie directors love filming in them. They are the iconic Mid-Century Modern designs of John Lautner. And right now, you could have a Lautner home of your very own -- we found five currently for sale.
The prolific architect was responsible for some 200 projects during his lifetime -- he died in 1994 at the age of 83. His buildings are known for their swooping, organic lines; innovative use of materials such as concrete and wood; and dramatic exteriors.
Early in his career, the Michigan native apprenticed with legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright of Fallingwater fame. Lautner later opened his own practice in Los Angeles, spinning out his futuristic designs.
The pricey homes have become as famous as some of their celebrity owners. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin purchased a secluded Malibu manse for $14 million, and Vincent Gallo leased his 1925 penthouse in downtown L.A. to Nicolas Cage. Despite their cachet, some of these homes have proved a tough sell, staying on the market for years. Take a look…
Address: 78 Malibu Colony Rd, Malibu, CA
Price: $17,995,000
Mod-ument: This 1967 Stevens House made waves when it was first built, literally. The arched structure right on the Malibu beachfront resembles ocean swells -- and it even earned a cultural landmark status. The five-bedroom residence has gone through a major restoration. Still, the listing's sky-high price is actually a reduction from its $22 million tag two years ago.
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Address: 1263 Lassen View Dr, Lake Almanor, CA
Price: $1,100,000
Mod-ument: An outlier for the designer, this Lautner creation popped up in the Sierra Nevada. Built in 1974, the lakeside property features an open floor plan that looks out to the mountains and the water.
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Address: 804 S Bay Front, Newport Beach, CA
Price: $4,399,000
Mod-ument: You can practically feel the breeze coming off the water in this "modern gem," as the listing puts it. The Rawlins House is one of the "most distinguishable landmark residences of Balboa Island." We can see why. Raised wooden ceilings, skylights, and walls of sliding glass doors bring Newport Beach into your living room.
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Address: 2466 Southridge Dr, Palm Springs, CA
Price: $24,999,000
Mod-ument: The spaceship has landed, but Earthlings aren't biting. The Bob and Dolores Hope estate, a 23,000-square-foot glass-and-concrete structure, looks out of this world. Alas, buyers don't seem to be able to stomach the astronomical price, which was slashed in half from its original $50 million. The listing agent told us the building alone would be " hard to replicate" at the current price.
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Address: 8530 Hedges Pl, Los Angeles, CA
Price: $7,250,000
Mod-ument: The seamless intersection of nature and architecture is a nod to Wright, Lautner's former mentor. Perched above L.A. and just minutes from Sunset Boulevard, this 1961 masterwork has earned state monument status. The private and serene Wolff House once belonging to Gallo includes outdoor decks, a pool, and a "parklike landscape." Also, a eucalyptus tree grows inside the home.