A piece of Hollywood history is up for grabs, with the iconic ‘Garcia House’, which was inspired by the futuristic animated series The Jetsons, hitting the market for US$16 million.
The stunning two-storey, three-bedroom structure, designed by renowned architect John Lautner, is perched atop a steep and heavily wooded hillside block of land, offering breathtaking views of the Los Angeles Basin.
Entertainment business manager John McIlwee and Tony-winning Broadway producer Bill Damaschke stumbled upon the unique piece of real estate and ended up purchasing it, for far less than the current asking price, in 2002, according to The Dirt.
The couple hadn’t intended to buy the property, but the eye-catching cantilevered structure, resembling something straight out of The Jetsons understandably caught their attention and they couldn’t resist.
The ‘Garcia House’ was originally built in the early 1960s for film composer and arranger Russell Garcia and his wife Gina.
Over the years, the property has undergone an extensive restoration process, led by interior design firm Marmol Radziner, to bring it back to its original state.
Today, the property boasts original terrazzo floors, a sunken living room with a massive stone fireplace, a media room, and a curved dining area topped by a custom chandelier.
A lava rock entryway opens into interiors that have been updated with newer Dacor appliances but the kitchen retains the original sink.
The sweeping spiral staircase separates the living area from the main bedrooms, including a master suite outfitted with a seating area overlooking the LA Basin.
One of the most striking features of the home is its signature parabolic roof, a 50-foot wall of colourful stained-glass windows, and a large balcony that offers panoramic views of the canyon below.
A hillside garden, designed by landscape architect John Sharp, leads to an ellipse-shaped pool, surrounded by agave, cacti, and a huge rubber tree.
McIlwee and Damaschke are selling the property because they are spending more time in New York, where they maintain a Tribeca home.
They also own Gerald and Betty Ford’s former Rancho Mirage getaway.
