Wednesday, December 16, 2009

The Julius Shulman House Hits The Market

SELLER: Estate of Julius Shulman
LOCATION: Woodrow Wilson Drive, Los Angeles, CA
PRICE: $2,495,000
SIZE: 3,382 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

YOUR MAMAS NOTES: All day long Your Mama has been getting communiques, calls and taps on the shoulder about the renowned architecture photographer Julius Shulman's house in the Laurel Canyon area of Los Angeles hitting the market with an asking price of $2,495,000. We'd love to say we were the first to put something up about it, but in fact the fine folks at Curbed LA beat us to the punch by about two minutes.

Mister Shulman, who went to meet the great photo developer in the sky in July of 2009 at the ripe old age of 98, was perhaps the most famous and accomplished photographer of architecturally significant homes. Over the course of his sixty-some year career he snapped iconic images of dozens of architecturally significant structures including Richard Neutra's Kaufmann House in Palm Springs, John Lautner's Chemosphere in the Hollywood Hills, and Pierre Koenig's Case Study House #22 (a.k.a. The Stahl House) in Los Angeles, arguably the most famous architectural photo ever taken in the United States. Mister Shulman also framed up and photographed of buildings and residences by influential 20th-century architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Charles and Ray Eames, Mies van der Rohe and the outrageously amazing Oscar Neimeyer.

In 1947, Mister Shulman commissioned modernist architect Raphael S. Soriano to design a steel-framed residence and studio on a secluded .76-acre lot at the end of a 175-foot semi-private driveway on Woodrow Wilson Drive that backs up to conservancy land, ensuring privacy and seclusion. According to listing information the resulting residence (and studio) measures 3,382 square feet and includes 3 bedrooms and 3 poopers.

Sadly, the Shulman House remains the last unaltered and unmolested residence designed and built by Raphael S. Soriano making it a hot commodity and serious architectural collectors item. According to listing information, the residence retains its original cork panels, flooring, fixtures and hardwood walls as well as extensive built-ins including drawers, shelves, headboards, pedestal beds, bookcases and china cabinets. The expansive living room, according to listing information, has a floor to ceiling fireplace and floor to to ceiling sliding glass doors while the kitchen includes the original cook top, double ovens, fixtures and built in bench seating in the breakfast nook.

The studio, located across a brick courtyard and just 16 feet from the main house, features a built-in desk and cabinetry, a fireplace, private pooper and, natch, a dark room where Mister Shulman developed many of his famous photographs. The indoor spaces bleed into the outdoor spaces through huge walls of sliding glass doors, screened patios.

Much to Your Mama's architecture loving peace of mind, the property was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1987. A hefty handful of images of the Shulman House can be seen here.

photo: YouAreHere.com

11 comments:

Madam Pince said...

the kitchen includes the original cook top, double ovens, fixtures and built in bench seating in the breakfast nook

I can't quite wrap my mind around 62-year-old appliances still working! Damn fine workmanship.

I expect this gem will be snapped up soon. Hope the new owner doesn't try modernizing it.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful home but this being LA, those interiors will not last long before they are gutted and modernised (a new Poggen Pohl kitchen perhaps?).

Landmark designation, although worthwile, only protects the exterior.

StPaulSnowman said...

A'int it the truth..........we need a National Trust with more balls if any architectural gems are to survive the onslaught of new money and no taste.

Anonymous said...

beyond the word - beautiful.

Anonymous said...

With the great Mr. Shulman now being the late Mr. schulman, someone else with an talent for photography better do some quick and detailed snaps of this interior because chances are it is going to vanish before the ink is even dry on the sale agreement.
When it comes to preservation, L.A. sucks.

dallas realtor said...

If you want to get a huge house with a pleasant yard for a respectable price you can still find Dallas homes to fit your bill with the help of Dallas realtors. They will help you in find such homes in Dallas and also assist you in all the financial and paperwork. Since you probably wouldn't be able to find that in many the city.

Madam Pince said...

I looked at the pictures in the link Mama so thoughtfully provided, and even though the caption stated the kitchen wasn't built for "kitcheny" people, I thought it would do very well for this chick who does most of her own cooking. I loved its tucked-away style -- all the necessities are there, just put away very neatly. It really proves that classic style never goes out of style.

Mama, remember if you and the Dr. Cooter make it to the Old Dominion, I'll make y'all that Gin & Tonic gelatin mold I emailed you!

Regina Joi said...

My Husband and I had the greatest pleasure in knowing Mr. Shulman...and believe me, the house is PRISTINE. No better Time Capsule could be had than that cared for by this Great Master of Photography.

He was not only UNIQUE, but of another World.

Many times WE sat with him for Toast and Coffee in the nook, sometimes a shot of Scotch depending on the time of day...and WE had the pleasure of his Heaven sent GIFT to photograph our two homes, one Classical and Enchanting ala 18thC Italian and the other a Mid-Century Jewel overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Whoever shall end up with this MASTERPIECE, will know that Julius's Karma and Soul is infused and will enjoy a Long Life of Beauty and Vistas...such as the Redwoods he planted decades ago.

WE miss him much with heavy hearts.

Anonymous said...

Madam Pince,
That kitchen photo you refer to is not the Sculman residence, it is a Westwood condo.

Anonymous said...

Dallas realtor - I would need a very small house payment to live in Dallas. The bulk of my budget would go to gin and valium to help me forget I live in Dallas.

David Brayton said...

Julius Shulman’s house is up for sale. Designed by Raphael Soriano for him in 1947 and completed in 1950. Serious inquiries only call Sam Heller (the only guy that could truly call him "Uncle Julius") 661.510.8183

wwwTheShulmanHouse.com