Sublime midcentury modern by Paul Williams in Trousdale Estates seeks $11.5M

Even in the treasure trove of trophy homes known as Trousdale Estates, this property stands out.

Designed in 1958 by the supremely gifted Paul R. Williams, the Asian-influenced modern was the family residence of Michael Garris, an electrical engineer and custom lighting designer whose firm handled the power and lighting systems for many of Williams’ projects.

According to Steven Price’s Trousdale Estates, it remained in the Garris family for 50 years, “nearly preserved in amber.”

The four-bedroom, five-bath residence appeared on the market in 2011, and was quickly snapped up for $3.45 million.

According to Variety and architecture-obsessed blog US Modernist, the buyer was Max Martin, the massively successful Swedish songwriter who’s penned chart-toppers for an impressive number of pop stars, including Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Adele, the Weeknd, and Ariana Grande.

Admirably, bucking the neighborhood trend of razing a vintage midcentury and raising a megamansion in its place (e.g., the behemoth up the block bought by fellow Swede Markus Persson), Martin enlisted architectural designer Brad Dunning along with the firm of Marmol Radziner to give the Garris House a sensitive restoration and refresh.

The Hillcrest Road home emerged from the two-year makeover with its original footprint (just under 4,000 square feet) and statement-making period features (Oriental-style screens, river-rock walls, terrazzo floors, sliding glass doors) intact.

Gone are the less desirable aspects seen in the 2011 listing photos such as popcorn ceilings and bars on the windows(!), while the kitchen, baths, bedrooms, lighting, and other elements have been stylishly upgraded to A-list luxury standards.

On a .63-acre lot with swimming pool, spa, and views to Catalina, the prize property is now listed with an asking price of $11.495 million.

• 1070 N. Hillcrest Rd [Hilton & Hyland]