Albert Van Dekker Residence by R.M. Schindler in Woodland Hills Back on the Market

[Update January 22, 2014]: This home sold for $700,000 on December 31, 2013. Cant wait to see the restoration. 

[Original Post]:

Images courtesy Architecture & Design Collection, University Art Museum, UC Santa Barbara

Above images courtesy LA Curbed

19950 Collier Street

4 Beds/3 Baths on 2,518 sqft on a total lot size of 0.47 acres built in 1940 designed by world renowned architect R.M Schindler in Woodland Hills available for $799,000 (Schindler also designed the Laurelwood Apartments and Goodwin House both in Studio City).  The price might seem like a good deal but the home needs major restoration work as the home has been neglected for many decades. 

The home was originally commissioned by Albert Van Dekker who was a stage and screen actor best known for playing 1940's Dr. Cyclops and evil villain Dr. Soberin in Kiss Me Deadly. Dekker later sold the property to Al "Buzz" Bezzerides, screenwriter for Kiss Me Deadly, who lived in the property up until his death in 2007 where it remained in neglect for close to 50 years. In 2009, the home was nominated for HCM status (and awarded in 2010) meaning it could never be tore down without special consideration and review and was purchased by Josh Gorrell who planned to restore the home to its former glory on October 16 for $580,000. Gorrell, so far, has replaced the roof and removed the septic tank and instead connected to the city sewer system but is now selling to focus on other endeavors. Since this home needs a lot of work, it appears that this home will need to find a special buyer who has the upfront cash, time, and desire to restore to its original condition which means it will probably be sitting on the market for awhile. You can read more about this home at LA Curbed and check out the latest renovation pictures in 2010 here and here. The listing description states: 

Your chance to own a piece of History. Built in 1940 and designed by the renowned master architect R. M. Schindler for Albert Van Dekker. This 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath three-story is situated on almost a half acre South of Ventura Blvd and exhibits character-defining features of Modern style and architecture. These features include but are not limited to: tightly interlocking volumes, folded planes, an asymmetrical roof, sloping walls & ceilings, polygonal windows, butt-glazed corners, exposed wood interiors, flagstone patios & fireplaces. Major repairs are required to preserve this historic landmark for future generations. (Sterling Realty)

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.

Laurelwood Apartments in Studio City by R.M. Schindler Quietly Sells for $4.7 Million

Image courtesy Wikimedia.org

11833 and 11837 Laurelwood Drive

The Laurelwood Apartments by modern architect, R.M. Schindler, quietly sold for $4.7 million on December 28, 2012. The new owners are Silver Swan Properties LLC. 

From Archinect.com:

The Laurelwood Apartments, designed by R.M. Schindler in 1946, recently underwent a complete exterior restoration after years of neglect and disrepair. The 22-unit hillside housing complex, located in Studio City California, is Schindler’s largest completed work and a designated Historic Landmark. It demonstrates the innovation and experimentation of the last phase of his career. Constructed in the “Schindler Frame”, a modular construction system Schindler developed during WWII, it was built with inexpensive and efficient building materials and methods, such as exposed framing used as screens and trellises or grape stakes used as fencing. Schindler was an early critic of the International Style, and here its prevailing principles were challenged through the use of rotated, staggered forms built from common or low materials and adapted to site-specific conditions.

This building almost faced destruction in 1979 but was saved by preservationists with the building being designated Historic Cultural Monument # 228 on April 22, 1980. The building almost faced destruction again in 1986 but was saved by preservationists and tenants which at that time, the building was in desperate need of renovation according to a July 5, 1986 LA Times article by Marc Igler. 

The building has since been renovated when it was acquired by the previous owner in 2009. The interiors of the individual units will be restored over the next several years as they become available. Also check out the Big Orange Landmarks site for more info and pictures. 

Schindler also designed the Goodwin House in Studio City which was sold for $768,000 on March 9, 2012.

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here. 

Above images courtesy Archinect.com