Flight of fancy in Topanga
Dragonfly Ranch is a whimsical-looking place, reminiscent of 19th century Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi’s style, which minimized straight lines and flat surfaces in favor of rounded, irregular shapes.
The main house has domed roofs and ceilings, artistic details, heavy wood beams and hand-formed walls. The grounds include a tennis court and stables. The current owners, who bought the ranch in 1993, like to ride horses and have more than a dozen.
The home was built in 1991 and designed by Cary Gepner & Associates, Architects Inc.
About this house: It’s on 20 acres off a gated, private road in secluded Topanga Canyon. “Topanga,” a Native American word, means “where the mountains meet the sea” or “place above.” In the ‘60s, the canyon was a popular gathering spot for hippies.
Asking price: $7.5 million
Size: There are seven bedrooms and six bathrooms in about 3,775 square feet. There is a 7 1/2 -acre meadow with a well, fruit trees and oaks.
Features: The house has an office, two guest wings and a country kitchen. The master bedroom suite occupies the entire second floor. There is a detached two-bedroom guesthouse and detached three- bedroom maid’s quarters.
The ranch has a lighted tennis court, a swimming pool, a spa and green lawns. Equestrian facilities include a lighted regulation dressage arena, stalls and corrals.
Horses don’t come with the ranch, but the asking price does include four llamas and two goats.
Where: Topanga Canyon
Listing agent: Gary Harryman, (310) 488-3210, and Jack Pritchett, (310) 456-5621, at Pritchett-Rapf & Associates, Malibu.
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To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, please send color interior and exterior photos on a CD and a brief description of the house, including what makes the property unusual to Ruth Ryon, Real Estate Section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Questions can be sent to homeoftheweek@latimes.com.
