If this Pasadena residence looks familiar, you may have seen it in the Amazon series Transparent, where it portrayed the Pfefferman family abode. Then again, you might just recognize the handsome home as an excellent example of the distinctive California modernist postwar architecture produced by the firm of Buff, Straub, and Hensman.
Located at 919 La Loma Road in the San Rafael Estates, the two-story post and beam was built in 1957 as the family residence of Richard Frank, restauranteur and president of Lawry’s Foods. Measuring approximately 5,000 square feet, it was one of Buff, Straub, and Hensman’s largest residential commissions.
Along with such signature midcentury modern attributes as beamed ceilings, walls of glass, clerestory windows, and organic materials, the five-bedroom, five-bath home was endowed with high-end design features including built-in furniture and shelving by Sam Maloof, John Kapel, and other master craftsmen.
Its pastoral acre of grounds—which contain a swimming pool, multiple decks and patios, and a wide variety of mature trees—were designed by the noted landscape architecture firm of Eckbo, Dean, and Williams.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Frank House has had just a few owners, its second one being musician Beck Hansen, who purchased it from Richard Frank in 1998 for $1.275 million. Last sold in 2000 for $2 million, it’s now asking $4.995 million. Terri Miller and Monika Bruehl of Tempo Realty hold the listing.
Comments
better be exceptional for $5 million.
By LAoneWay on 07.10.19 12:27pm
Two words.
Wow.
By theymustbegiants on 07.10.19 12:31pm
This is a great example of mid-century post and beam, I don’t know why, but I should like it more then I do. Maybe the look has been done too often for a lot less, maybe it’s the heavy Asian influence that should be more of a north woods/mountain influence, maybe it’s the restaurant style kitchen, maybe it’s the 5 million dollars that looks like it should be closer to 3 or maybe it’s the cruddy old bottle of Lawry’s Season Salt that’s been at the back of my spice cabinet for 20 years. Whatever the reason I just don’t love it
By mrjim1 on 07.10.19 12:40pm
I cannot critique pricing of a house that’s WAY above my pay grade.
Suffice to say, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places, sold 19 years ago for $2 million, and will undoubtedly be bought by someone uber-wealthy. They will enjoy it.
By BingoWest on 07.10.19 1:29pm
I want to like it – I really do. But somehow it just seems blah to me. All the browns, and the lack of real presence, I suppose.
By AngelusLiving on 07.10.19 6:49pm
Same
By Kermit Kardashian on 07.10.19 11:29pm
I like the outside of the house more than the inside of the house. Inside is just plain to me. Not all special.
By S.M.P on 07.10.19 7:48pm
It’s nice or whateva
By Kermit Kardashian on 07.10.19 11:29pm
In the series I seem to remember shrieking when they tore out and butchered the original wood book shelve walls to make it some bs open floor plan…
By Dayshay on 07.11.19 8:58am
Yeah, they had a whole storyline that was like "what’s a pony wall?"
By CaliSon on 07.11.19 9:29am
Oh, please – it’s beautiful.
By Necco on 07.11.19 9:02am
Is it the price that’s turning everyone off? I always liked the house on the show. It has that huge living room connected to the kitchen but then smaller, darker, more quiet spaces for individuals. It feels like you could get lost in it.
By CaliSon on 07.11.19 9:30am
The best part is the big fish!
By Mildred Fillmore on 07.11.19 10:58am
I prefer the capiz shell light!
By MonrovianSurfNutz911FAQ2Serious! on 07.13.19 9:43am
I’m afraid Pam Shamshiri’s Schindler is the better house AND the better buy. I’m sorry but $5m is asking a lot for a second tier architectural in Pasadena when less is being asked for a top shelf Schindler with current NY Times and T Magazine and other press on the recent retouch by one of our very best interior designers.
By lady who lunches on 07.15.19 10:52am