Soriano’s Lukens House on the market in Jefferson Park for $1.9M

The star of one of LA’s most celebrated architectural comeback stories in recent memory, Jefferson Park’s Lukens House is making another comeback—back to the market, that is.

Designed by architect Raphael Soriano in 1940 for Glen Lukens, a ceramicist, USC professor, and co-founder of Arts and Architecture magazine, the International Modern-style residence had fallen into a near-terminal state of wrack and ruin. In the mid-2000s, it narrowly avoided demolition thanks to the concerted efforts of local preservationists, who got it declared a Historic-Cultural Monument in 2007.

Three years later, the home was purchased for $285,000 by preservation-minded real estate agent Mike Chapman, who enlisted Barry Milofsky of M2A Architects to bring it back to life.

The restoration was informed by a set of vintage photos taken by Julius Shulman, along with drawings from Soriano’s archives, although the floorplan was altered in places to create more open space. (Photos of the home pre-renovation can be seen here and here.)

After its rehabilitation was completed, the property previously dubbed a “Sorry-ano” was honored with numerous awards from such entities as the LA Conservancy and the California Preservation Foundation.

Measuring 1,491 square feet, the home contains three bedrooms and two baths and features ribbon band steel frame windows, hardwood and tile floors, built-in furniture and shelving, and a living room fireplace.

It was built on a .44-acre lot that had once been the gardens of West Adams’s Lyndsay Mansion, and comes with a 1908 glass greenhouse that has been restored and re-purposed as a dining pavilion.

The historic property is listed with an asking price of $1.985 million. Open house is scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

• 3425 W. 27th St [Coldwell Banker]