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Buy Fascinating Architect Ragnar Qvale's Own Mid-Century Modern in the Hollywood Hills

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We were heretofore unfamiliar with fantastically named Ragnar Qvale, but he seems to have been a rather dynamic figure. According to his 2001 obituary, Qvale immigrated with his family to the US from Norway at age 13, and studied architecture at the University of Washington. He was also a champion skier, and while working as a ski instructor in Sun Valley, met movie mogul Darryl Zanuck, who invited him to come to Hollywood, where he was signed on as a $75-a-week contract player. Qvale appeared in a handful of films before World War II interrupted his acting career. Qvale served four years as a pilot and, when the war ended, returned to Los Angeles and to a career in architecture, establishing the firm of Ragnar C. Qvale and Associates. The firm's projects include Las Vegas's original Sahara Hotel, Hughes Laboratories in Malibu, and the rebuilt Wilshire Country Club. The architect also designed this Modernist residence for himself in Outpost Estates. Built in 1958, the 4,004-square-foot house has three bedrooms and five baths and features walls of glass, high ceilings, hardwood floors, a massive marble fireplace, and awesome views. Occupying a 8,883-square-foot lot, the property includes a swimming pool, separate guest house, and tennis court. Asking price is $7.25 million.

·2388 CASTILLAN Dr [Redfin]