Unadulterated Lautner in Long Beach on the market for the first time

Occupying just over a half square mile, Long Beach’s Park Estates housing development was built during the post-WWII housing boom. While most tracts springing up at that time followed a “fast and cheap” model, Park Estates was envisioned as an upscale planned community overseen by an architectural review board.

Along its wide, tree-lined streets are custom-built homes by such modernist masters as Kenneth Wing, Edward Killingsworth, Paul Tay, Richard Neutra, and John Lautner, who designed this brick-clad beauty that’s now seeking its second-ever owner.

Known as the Alexander House, the 2,786-square-foot time capsule was built in 1951 and contains four bedrooms, three baths, a step-down living room, dining area, family room, laundry, and workshop. Features include vaulted, beamed ceilings, stained-concrete and brick floors, built-ins, and paneled walls.

Working to blur the distinction between indoors and out are skylights, copious walls of glass, and a cantilevered overhang covering the patio.

Per the listing description, Lautner’s architectural drawings point out the site for a future swimming pool in the garden. The listing also suggests that the Alexander House may be a viable candidate for Mills Act tax benefits.

Asking price for the .31-acre property is $1.65 million, with HOA fees totaling $125 a year.

• 5281 E. El Roble Street [Crosby Doe Associates]