Veteran television writer-producer Dave Finkel, whose many credits include a handful of hit sitcoms, “30 Rock,” “United States of Tara” and “New Girl” among them, has his comprehensively re-imagined 1940s bungalow in L.A.’s affluent Toluca Lake community newly listed at just under $1.9 million.
The two-time Emmy winner and his jeweler wife, Marni Wilkins Finkel, who also works in casting and location management, acquired the property about 20 years ago for a tiny bit more than $322,000 and subsequently transformed what was a fairly ordinary California ranch house into a eco-minded residence up to the high-tech needs of a modern lifestyle.
The family-sized home’s environmentally friendly features include a fully owned solar set up, an electric car charger and drought-tolerant landscaping that incorporates lots of succulents and evergreen artificial turf, while seamlessly incorporated high-tech amenities include a digital video doorbell and a smart refrigerator — it has an internet-connected video screen. Numerous app-controlled home automation conveniences include camera-equipped security and a Circle Parental Control system for limiting and monitoring children’s online activities.
Set on about one-fifth of an acre, and tucked into a quiet and unsung neighborhood at the convenient apex between Toluca Lake, Studio City, Valley Village and North Hollywood’s Noho Arts District, the single-story home sprawls out over about 2,900 square feet with four bedrooms and three stylishly renovated bathrooms. A detached structure of almost 450 square feet, once upon a time a two-car garage, has a fourth bathroom that makes it well suited as a guesthouse, children’s rumpus room or fitness suite.
With bright white walls and honey-toned oak floorboards, the open-plan living spaces of the main house include adjoining living and family rooms as well as a dining space that flows easily into the up-to-date kitchen that is all white but for the stainless steel appliances and courageously chosen pea-green counters.
Three guest bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as a petite home office, are lined up along a long corridor that ends in a cozily proportioned step-down sitting room that spills out to the backyard through a bank of folding glass doors.
Beyond lies the privately positioned primary bedroom, which offers smooth concrete floors, two closets — one a small walk-in, and an industrial-inspired bathroom with a custom wood vanity, claw-footed soaking tub and over-sized shower area with a disappearing frosted glass door that leads to the gardens.
Between the main house and guesthouse a courtyard terrace has a built-in grill under a pergola with retractable canvas sunshades. A second pergola, also with retractable canvas sunshades, has a fire pit alongside a heated swimming pool set against a towering wall of bamboo.
The property is available through Phil Missig at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.