A. Quincy Jones, Architect ; The Arens House, 1949. City of LA Historic-Cultural Monument No. 720. High up in the Santa Monica Mountains of Brentwood, this landmark home is one of the best surviving examples of the forward-looking Mutual Housing Association's postwar experiment. The architecture is elegantly simple: a low-slung horizontal roof with tongue-and-groove ceiling resting gently on slender posts and beams - the purest expression of form and function. The second owners have impeccably restored the home in keeping with the original design intent, with a Poliform Italian kitchen, Corian countertops, high-end stainless steel appliances, cork and polished concrete floors, custom cabinetry, decorative tile, and European fixtures. A rare hillside pool and hardscape provide panoramic views of the Santa Monica Bay, all the way to Catalina. Mills Act status ensures reduced property taxes, but grandfathered addition may allow future expansion to include a second story with views.

Natasha Gregson Wagner

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