‘Transparent’ Creator Lists 1920s Mediterranean Refreshed by Barbara Bestor

Just a few weeks after bringing home the 2016 Emmy award for best directing for a comedy series, “Transparent” creator Joey Soloway collected another trophy — an elegant 1920s Mediterranean Revival designed by Walter Webber and Sumner Spaulding, the esteemed architectural team behind such notable works as Catalina Island’s Avalon Casino, the Harold Lloyd Estate, a.k.a. “Greenacres,” and the Chartwell Mansion in Beverly Hills, better known as “The Beverly Hillbillies” house.

The years following the purchase of the Los Feliz mansion proved to be transformative for Soloway, who came out as non-binary and changed their name. Now it appears the acclaimed showrunner-writer-producer is ready for a change of scenery as well, sending their home of seven years off to market with an asking price a shade below $4 million.

Located on the outskirts of Griffith Park, not far from Neutra’s Lovell Health House, the stately residence was built for Harold Crowell, the vice president of a construction company, his wife, Eleanor, and their two children in 1928. In 2020, Soloway enlisted Silver Lake architect Barbara Bestor to execute a partial remodel of the 92-year-old abode. Along with converting the formerly unfinished basement into a deluxe suite containing a screening room, recording booth, office space, sleeping area and full bath, Bestor updated the home’s kitchen and baths in collaboration with interior designer Cy Carter, infusing them with sunny SoCal Modern spirit and pops of color.

But the 3,391-square-foot house still boasts a slew of lovely original details, including peg and groove hardwood floors, a grand stone fireplace, wood paneled and beamed ceilings, stained glass windows, wrought-iron lanterns and railings, and arched French doors.

In keeping with classic period revival tradition, the home’s three original bedrooms, including the open-concept primary suite with freestanding magenta soaking tub, are all located on the top floor, while the entry level contains the commodious living/dining area and the revamped kitchen, which manages to be both high-end and low-key, with professional-grade appliances, marble countertops, and a butter-yellow, soapstone-capped center island that nicely complements the forest-green backdrop on the wall of built-in blonde wood bookcases and window-seat.

Two sets of French doors lead from the dining room to the backyard, which features a swimming pool with spa, built-in lounges, and a zellige-tiled covered patio. Additional amenities include a private sundeck off the primary suite, and a detached guest studio paneled in knotty pine.

Sited on a .26-acre lot, the pedigreed property is listed with Susan Andrews and Justin Roberts of Compass.