‘Modern Family’ Star Julie Bowen Lists Thornton Abell-Designed Midcentury Modern Gem

Back in 2017, shortly after splitting from her longtime husband, Julie Bowen paid $3.1 million for a midcentury modern time capsule in the Hollywood Hills. Set just off iconic Mulholland Drive, the glass-walled structure was designed by Case Study architect Thornton Abell in 1959. More than a half-century later, the house is looking better than ever and has returned to the market, asking $3.85 million.

Originally built for prominent heart surgeon Augustus Bakos, the architecturally pedigreed property has an only-in-L.A. sort of history. Back in 2000, it was acquired by real estate agent Jonah Wilson, a son of Beach Boys co-founder/guitarist Carl Wilson; he subsequently enlisted Antony Unruh of Unruh Boyer and Bonura Building to completely overhaul and expand the place. In 2005, Wilson sold the house to Gregory Peck’s widow Veronique Passani; her son Tony Peck inherited the house upon his mother’s 2012 death and eventually sold it to Bowen, an Emmy-winning actress (“Modern Family,” “Happy Gilmore,” “Boston Legal,” “Lost”).

Nestled in the Wonderland School district and invisible from the street behind a long, gated driveway that leads to a motorcourt and stone-and-glass-walled carport, the butterfly-roofed house sports four bedrooms and four bathrooms. Inside, 3,000-plus square feet of living space is infused with light through floor-to-ceiling walls of glass. There are canyon and treetop vistas, along with Palos Verdes stonework, terrazzo flooring, custom divider screens and original teak cabinetry throughout.

A lush garden atrium with a fountain serves as an entry into the home’s open-plan layout. Among the highlights are a spacious living room anchored by a massive stone fireplace and an adjoining wet bar and dining room, plus an updated kitchen with high-end stainless appliances, a quaint indoor barbecue setup, and an adjacent breakfast nook and built-in desk.

The attractive master suite includes yet another stone fireplace, plus a sitting area, closet, and marble-clad bath equipped with a glass ceiling, dual vanities and water closets, a standalone shower and relaxing soaking tub. There are three other bedrooms in the house; like the master, two of them have sliding glass doors leading to a patio with an expansive heated pool. An outdoor living room boasts an original circular fireplace, in addition to an outdoor shower and a small gym secluded in its own glass-walled, detached structure.

The listing is held by Beth Styne of Coldwell Banker.