Almost three years after it first hit the market at an impressive $15 million, Marc Forster’s striking Richard Neutra-designed house just beyond the boundaries of Santa Monica has just popped up for sale again, this time with a newly improved asking price.
The German-born director — most known for the films “Monster’s Ball,” “Finding Neverland,” “Quantum of Solace,” “World War Z,” “Christopher Robin,” and most recently, “A Man Called Otto” — is now seeking a smidge under $12.7 million. After buying the place in 2009, Forster enlisted restoration architect Mark Haddawy to update and restore the premises in keeping with Neutra’s original design.
Originally built in the early 1930s for actress Anna Sten and her movie producer husband Eugene Frenke — and hence known as the “Sten-Frenke House” — it was the first modern home to ever win the top prize in the House Beautiful magazine competition in 1934. The dwelling was later named a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Landmark and also went on to appear in the movie “Laurel Canyon.”
Sited atop a double parcel overlooking the Santa Monica Canyon and Pacific Ocean beyond, the gated property features a Bauhaus-inspired main house and newly reconfigured work studio/guesthouse crafted by Johnston Marklee — for a combined total of five bedrooms and six baths in 4,300 square feet of living space boasting hardwood floors, built-ins and steel-framed windows throughout.
As for the primary residence, the two-story glass and stucco structure is hidden away behind a gated driveway and lush foliage. Inside, a light-filled living room sporting a massive brick fireplace and integrated seating connects to an office and a rounded dining room, and the eat-in kitchen is outfitted with stainless countertops and appliances.
Upstairs, an eye-catching master retreat boasts a separate office space, an ocean-view balcony and spa-like bath; and elsewhere is the two-story curvilinear studio/guesthouse, which has two additional bedrooms and a bath, as well as a library/office, hot yoga studio and roof deck. Outdoors, the terraced grounds span 0.38 acres, and host a large swimming pool, plenty of spots for al fresco lounging and entertaining, and a two-car garage.
The listing is held by Bjorn Farrugia and Drew Fenton of Carolwood Estates.
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Image Credit: Simon Berlyn for Carolwood Estates -
Image Credit: Simon Berlyn for Carolwood Estates -
Image Credit: Simon Berlyn for Carolwood Estates -
Image Credit: Simon Berlyn for Carolwood Estates -
Image Credit: Simon Berlyn for Carolwood Estates -
Image Credit: Simon Berlyn for Carolwood Estates -
Image Credit: Simon Berlyn for Carolwood Estates -
Image Credit: Simon Berlyn for Carolwood Estates -
Image Credit: Simon Berlyn for Carolwood Estates -
Image Credit: Simon Berlyn for Carolwood Estates -
Image Credit: Simon Berlyn for Carolwood Estates -
Image Credit: Simon Berlyn for Carolwood Estates -
Image Credit: Simon Berlyn for Carolwood Estates