Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Architecture Wednesday: The Rowan Residence

This is the Rowan Residence, a sprawling, hilltop home in Beverly Hills designed in the early 1960s by acclaimed L.A. architect Robert Skinner. The home sits on a .42-acre lot in the Hidden Valley Estates, a gated community of just 33 homes.

Though originally commissioned by the Rowan Family, the home changed hands a few years after construction was complete and then remained off the market for 40 years. Alexandra Becket, who grew up in the property during that time, recalls how impressed her father was when he first toured the space before placing an offer, and he eventually expanded the residence to accommodate his growing family.

You enter the home through a private courtyard, and a long, glass-enclosed hallway leads to a sunken living room sited on the far end of the home with floor-to-ceiling windows and an original brick fireplace.

Along that hallway is the spacious primary bedroom with views to the courtyard and a private balcony and fireplace. The bathroom boasts huge walk-in shower, double sinks, an enormous soaking tub, and his-and her water closets.

From the living room, steps lead up to an open dining area and galley kitchen, with terrazzo tiled floors and skylight that illuminates the kitchen island. There are salt-marble countertops, Douglas-fir cabinetry, and a cozy breakfast nook with marble tabletop. 

Beyond the kitchen is another living area with custom shelving offers ample space to display collected memorabilia. An en suite guest bedroom, half bathroom, laundry, storage, and access to the garage fill out the space.

A later addition added an office, two more ensuite bedrooms, and a bonus play area. All told, there are now four bedrooms, four full baths, and two partial ones.

Given the two renovations the home now sits at 4,600 square feet residence with a more free-flowing layout that connects the expansive living areas with the outdoor greenery and mature trees, dining area, outdoor kitchen and swimming pool that create that quintessential California backyard oasis.

Last sold in 2012 for $3,500,000, the Rowan Residence is back on the market with a post-renovation price tag of $10,000,000.

Click to emBIGGERate ...

26 comments:

  1. Nice, but the floor is definitely not dog friendly.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, this is lovely (also very, very expensive!!!) and I can see the Mid-Century influence everywhere. I think they did a great job adapting it for a bigger family, though. I does not look like it's full of add-ons!

    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All the new fits with the old, which is a sign of a good reno.

      Delete
  3. No, nope, nada, nyet! Too rectangular.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Okay Duchess, must I find you a round house? Oval? Triangular? Cuz I'll do it!!!

      Delete
    2. I want an octagon. Maybe a trapezoid? Lots of windows and scantily clad houseboys to clean them. Throw in a couple of scantily clad house girls for BH to ogle. Keep E.M.T.s on hand to take care of us after our twin heart attacks. Is this to much to ask? You're a peach, Bobulah!

      Delete
    3. I'm on a trapezoid hunt

      Delete
    4. And with a red door Bob!!!!!!! Bwahahahahahahaha!!!!!

      Delete
    5. Dear goddess, a red doored trapezoid!

      Delete
    6. Changed my mind about the trapezoid. I'd forgotten that rectangles are in the trapezoid family! A red doored octagon would do just nicely.

      Delete
    7. :::::thud:::::

      Delete
  4. Very nice. Great setting. Not at all my style.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I kind of like to solitude of the back and not the right-on-the-street of the front.

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. It is that ... for the right number of coins.

      Delete
  6. As always - love the outdoors.
    k :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. While not me, I can appreciate the chic, Modern Mid-Century design and the clean lines to it. But the outside got me immediately

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The back yard is the big hit for me, too.

      Delete
  8. Some very bizarre spaces - what is that one? An office? A pass thru? The dining room is terrible. The living room is lovely. Love the grand and the rug and drapes. Nice entrance. A little cold looking. I keep thinking Ayn Rand would be comfortable there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That Living room dining room kitchen breakfast nook family room IS one awful long space!
      I'm a sucker for the sofas; I normally say couch, but these are sofas.

      Delete
  9. Yes, Yes, Yes - when can I move in?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Send the check and she's all yours!

      Delete
  10. It looks very nice, but I don't think I'd be comfortable in it. I'm a little more old-fashioned.

    ReplyDelete

Say anything, but keep it civil .......