A Hope Ranch House Designed by Paul Revere Williams

Noteworthy new listings….

Iconic L.A. architect Paul Revere Williams designed 735 Via Hierba ($5.9 million), built in 1935, and the Hope Ranch four-bedroom retains much of its classic charm. Having not been on the market for 57 years, it naturally needs work; here’s hoping whoever buys it doesn’t screw it up.

················

Whenever the phrase “architectural masterpiece” shows up in a listing, there’s a 50/50 chance that something zany is in store. Take 1800 Jelinda Drive ($8.395 million): the 1989 house is full of idiosyncratic choices—a prime example being the triangular hearth designed as if it wants to trip you. Or the indoor hot tub. Or whatever is accessed via the ladders in the guest rooms. I’m tempted to convene a panel of experts for suggestions on how to update the 5,862-square-foot house: the exterior strikes me as more adaptable to the 2020s than the interiors. For all that, the two-acre lot is appealing, even if most people would rather have a pool than a pond, and Ennisbrook has been white-hot in recent years—and this is the only house on the market there right now.

················

The seller of 890 Park Lane ($16.5 million) paid just $5.35 million in June 2019, before Montecito real estate truly turned insane, and remodeled away most—but not all—of the exotic architectural flourishes. The street is golden and the house is big (7,649 square feet); the interiors, however, feel flat for this price point.

················

There’s a sweetness to the 1961 house at 1263 Las Palmas Drive ($5.345 million), although the kitchen and baths need a redo. The lot is 2.32 acres, much of which is buffer from Hope Ranch’s main drag, and the backyard is wedged between the house and a hill.

················

Two indoor hot tubs in the same week! And the one at 1947 Paquita Drive ($4.975 million) in Carpinteria is in its own gazebo. Interiors are a mix of rustic and not, and the view is everything, because there’s no outdoor space besides the decking.

················

The sale of 1018 Belmonte Drive in February raised eyebrows: $4.075 million seemed like a lot for a part of town that could be considered the Westside. It’s the clear comp for nearby 1234 Plaza del Monte ($3.995 million), another spec reno of a 1975 house in a similar size and style, with the same issue of no guest room having an en suite bath. The Belmonte house had more character, inside and out, and a pool, but the Plaza del Monte one is on .6 acre, although how much of that is usable is unclear.

················

And a few others worth checking out:
••• 241 Palisades Drive ($2.895 million): Smurf-blue four-bedroom, two-bath in West Mesa; not sure about that corner toilet.
••• 5200 E. Camino Cielo ($3.495 million): 1995 Mediterranean on 10.8 acres.
••• 3930 Indian Way ($8.965 million): 1975 house with 1990s interiors and abundant millwork; the 12-acre lot fronts the Santa Ynez River and includes a guest house and equestrian facilities.
••• 1401 La Cima Road ($3.778 million): 1978 Bel Air Knolls house that reminds the listing agent of Aspen (below).

················

Love real estate? Sign up for the Siteline email newsletter.