Looking through my notes over the years, I thought this time I'd write about one of the largest properties on the Peninsula: the Don Lawyer Residence.
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Source: ECB Associates)
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Source: PV Library)
Originally designed (and built) by John Byers in 1926 for Donald K. Lawyer and his wife (one of the original sales managers for the Palos Verdes project), the home sits on 3.2 acres, one of the largest parcels on the Peninsula.
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Source: Bing Maps)
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Source: Bing Maps)
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Source: PV Library)
Originally designed and built in 1926, the home underwent an extensive remodel and expansion in 2006. The current owner, a retired telecom executive, purchased the original home in 2000 for $6.9M and proceeded to undertake the extensive $6M remodel shortly thereafter. The new home features over 12,060 square feet of living space, 5 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a tennis court, swimming pool, long private driveway and circular motor court. Unlike many other homes featured on this blog, this estate is very private and hidden from view by tall hedges and trees (although as you can see above, when the home was first built, there was very little vegetation in the area).
As you can see from the photos, Ed Beall took his stylistic cues from the original (more modest) home and underscored the informality of the Spanish design to compensate for the sheer size of the new home. I think the Spanish style screams - or perhaps whispers - informality, familiarity, casualness. It feels comfortable. Like the fictional Montecito home of Meryl Streep's character in the movie
It's Complicated.
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Source: ECB Associates)
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Source: PV Library)
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Source: PV Library)
As you can see above, much has changed in the front facade. The most notable change is the addition of a tower above what was a single-story entry way. Similarly the patio area off to the side has been enclosed and turned into a two-story extension of the main structure. Other differences - the conversion of the old garage into what looks to be a guest house (thank god!) - the garage is now just off the motor court on the lower level of the home.
In the rear of the home, you can see even more drastic changes.
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Source: ECB Associates)
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Source: PV Library)
Where to begin. On the far right, you'll notice the addition of an arcaded walkway with thick arches. While they look nice, I fear they may be out of scale with the rest of the first floor - why??? To the left of the arches, the rear of the home (from the windows to overall silhouette) remain largely intact. In the expansion on the left, Beall did a good job keeping the same angles in the covered patio and also kept the windows consistent with the original structure. I don't quite understand why Beall didn't keep the arches in this walkway (instead he has square support columns). In my mind, it makes the expansion look like a remodel done at a different point in time - it makes the home look mishmashed. I also question why the roof over the walkway/patio terminates
into a large stucco wall - shouldn't it terminate
above the wall?
Overall, I like the home. It's no
Gard Residence to be sure, but its a very nice example of a rambling Spanish estate. What do you think?
Update: This home will be part of the Palos Verdes Art Center's 2011 Home Tour Extraordinaire on April 15 & 16. Ticket info and whatnot not yet available, but I'm guessing it'll be similar to last year's tour prices ($40-50) and you get to tour 3 amazing PV homes. Let me know if you plan on going!
KEY STATS
Location: Lunada, PVE
Style: Spanish
Year built: 1926 / 2006
Architect: John Byers / Ed Beall
Square footage: 12,061
Lot size: 3.2 acres
