Old grove gives ground to a Palisades rambler
This newly built Pacific Palisades home sits on slightly more than an acre of what was once part of a vast lemon grove.
The owners, who bought the oversized lot three years ago, planned to remodel the little old house standing there, but they hit something big when demolishing the pool: a rainwater collection reservoir, used to irrigate the lemon trees, measuring at least 100 feet in diameter and almost 10 feet deep with concrete walls nearly a foot thick.
The reservoir predated development of the Palisades’ Upper Riviera Estates neighborhood. The site had been chosen for the reservoir because the terrain was flat and up on a hill.
About this house: The owners decided to build rather than remodel, but first they removed the reservoir structure and the fill in which it was buried. The result was more flat area on the lot and improved city and ocean views. Architect Richard Berliner designed the estate in what is known as the shingle style, which is characterized by rambling, asymmetrical structures with gables, porches and towers and covered with wooden shingles.
Asking price: $27 million
Size: The main house has a master-bedroom suite and three additional bedrooms plus a maid’s suite in about 8,700 square feet. The 15,000-square-foot compound is on 1.1 acres.
Features: Distressed hardwood floors, a coffered ceiling and detailed woodwork were used throughout the house, which has a formal dining room, a rotunda also used for dining, a den, two offices, a weight room, a theater area and an elevator. Also on the grounds is a guesthouse with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The garage has a studio apartment as well as room for five vehicles. Nearby is a large pool and a 70-foot-long batting cage/basketball court, wired for music and video.
Where: Pacific Palisades
Listing agent: Birgitte Aarestrup Michaelsen, Village Properties, Montecito, (805) 969-7978 or (310) 729-6447.
To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, send color interior and exterior photos with caption information on a CD and a description of the house, including what makes the property unusual, to Ruth Ryon, Real Estate section, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A., CA 90012.
