5786 Valley Oak Drive, Hollywood Hills
Circa 1951, famed labor and civil rights attorney Ben Margolis (best known for defending the blacklisted “Hollywood 10” in 1947) commissioned renowned mid century architect Gregory Ain to build a home for his family in the Los Feliz Oaks neighborhood of the Hollywood Hills.
On this gentle uphill lot, Ain strategically positioned the house in such a way as to provide ample driveway parking, and then oriented the structure towards the rear with walls of glass to take advantage of the lovely natural hillside setting. Inside, Ain left his creative but pragmatic signature throughout the light filled open floor plan via clerestory windows, walls of glass, raised ceilings, cantilevered roof eaves, stone fireplace, a central kitchen, a sliding room divider and a horizontal built-in book case and shelves which were published in Sunset Magazine’s Ideas for Storage in 1958. Updated throughout with a commitment to preserve Ain’s original architectural elements, the home still maintains its logical yet beautifully artistic ambiance.
The newer top of the line gourmet kitchen of today offers stainless steel appliances and Caesar stone countertops over custom cabinets. The newer master suite also overlooks the garden via a wall of glass and boasts a dual sink vanity, deep spa tub and generous walk in closet. The original master suite of the house now acts as the 2nd en suite bedroom with its renovated bathroom and the third bedroom/office downstairs is located just off the entry.
In 2003, the current owners commissioned Pierre Koenig, another mid century architectural icon, to design pool and cabana at the rear of the property to complement the Ain house. The end result was a glass and steel masterpiece with polished concrete floors and a wall of glass reminiscent of his famous case study homes of last century. This simple but elegant jewel box features a kitchenette, ¾ bathroom and telescoping Fleetwood glass sliders that open onto a patio with a unique colorful rotating canvas shade system that can be adjusted throughout the day as needed. This patio then overlooks a refreshing lap pool with surrounding deck as well as the original Ain house below. Beautiful, durable, and respectful of its environment – the stunning pool house was published in Dwell Magazine’s 2009 “Houses We Love” issue. It was one of Pierre Koenig’s last commissioned projects before his death in 2004 and was photographed by Julius Shulman before his death in 2009.
Located in the gated enclave of the Los Feliz Oaks neighborhood, the property also includes an attached two car garage with ample storage area, security system and indoor-outdoor speaker system.
Truly like no other, this significant architectural property is a pleasure to live in and an honor to own.
3 bedrooms, 2 baths, guest house | 2,493 sq ft | 16,850 sq ft lot
Offered at $1,595,000