Dynamic Architectural Hollywood Hills Home for Lease

Originally a 1920 Spanish house that the owner has masterfully transformed into a hip modern architectural house in the highly desirable Beachwood Canyon area. Wide open lofty floor plan with 9' ceilings throughout most of the property. Property has great indoor/outdoor flow with several large windows opening up to the outside throughout the property for true California living. Nice wood flooring throughout, upgraded kitchen and designer baths. Huge master suite with office area off of the room and balcony overlooking peaceful canyon views. Master bath is currently being remodeled with top of the line finishes, such as Axor by Phillipe Starck Hansgroghe fixturing and stunning Ann Sacks tiles. Also a roof top deck, & peaceful zen front sitting area. Remodeled very nicely with great deatails like, deconstructed ceiling and exposed concrete blocks, by contractor owner. Available April 1st.

2591 Glen Green, Hollywood Hills

$4,750/mo 3 Bed 3 Bath 2,010 Sq. Ft 3,150 Lot Sq. Ft

Listing and photos by Eric Smilay for Smilay Properties

A great lease opportunity on a very cool house in a great Hollywood Hills location. At the end of a cul de sac on a private street, the home is quite peaceful. If you wish to see this property, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.

Top Of The Hill Museum...I Mean House

A Tour De Force at the top of exclusive Sunset Plaza Dr has just been listed this week. It is gated, private, and on a half acre lot with views of all of Los Angeles below stretching all the way out to the ocean! Built in 1994, the house lies on a spectacular piece of property without question. The house itself is a bit industrial for my tastes with exposed concrete walls, flooring, and stainless steel kitchen counters. That said the amenities are fantastic including; large pool, sauna, full gym, a recording studio, and even what every Hollywood resident needs in their house, a nightclub. Definitely a one of a kind offering in a prime location.

2600 Sunset Plaza Dr, Hollywood Hills

$12,000,000 7 Bed 8 Bath 7,877 Sq. Ft 26,136 Sq. Ft Lot

Listing Courtesy of Chad Rogers & Drew Fenton - Hilton & Hyland

It looks like the owner paid $8,000,000 for the property at the end of 2008, not sure if they did any upgrading to justify the $4M increase, so may be some negotiating room in there. If interested in seeing this one of a kind property and being the "King of the hill," please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.

Fixer Character Spanish Home Available in the Hollywood Hills

Back on the market & Reduced. Attention Developers, Contractors, Investors, & Professional Flippers this is a tremendous opportunity that just needs work and updating. Fix up and add value to live in or sell -- so much potential here. If done right, I believe this house would sell in the $1M-$1.1M range, so there is a deal to be had here for a savvy investor. Lying in a great location in the Hollywood Hills is this Spanish home with intricate character details throughout. Up in the hills with peaceful canyon views and on a great street, but just a minute to the heart of either Hollywood or Studio City. Great curb appeal; upon entry one is struck by the multiple large bay windows allowing a ton of natural light to flood the property. There is also an addt'l 1 bedroom apartment space with it's own separate entrance. Also a six car parking garage! Simply a great opportunity in a prime location. Motivated seller.

3249 BENNETT DR, HOLLYWOOD HILLS

$749,000 3 Bed + 1 bed apartment w/ separate entrance 3 Bath 2,458 Sq. Ft 4,930 Lot Sq. Ft

Please visit http://gallery.me.com/bartondt#100020 for a detailed tour of the professional pictures taken of this fine property. This is a large home that is priced well in this location. It has exquisite Spanish details, an open floor plan, updated kitchens and baths, and is ready to go. If you would like to see this home, please contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.

Large Mid-Century Home; Hollywood Hills

Lying in a nice Hollywood Hills location just minutes to either Studio City or Hollywood is this new mid-century listing. The property is very open, has high ceilings, and a ton of windows allowing natural light into the property. Multiple decks and a flat grassy yard (somewhat rare in the hills at this price point) all point toward the views of Universal Citywalk and Studio City below. The home has been updated with a new HVAC system, wireless alarm, and copper plumbing according to the listing.

3453 Oak Glen Dr, Hollywood Hills

$879,000 3 Bed 3 Bath 2,315 Sq. Ft 7,790 Sq. Ft Lot

Listing & Photos Courtesy of Vadim Baum - Keller Williams Larchmont

This is a nice looking home in a fine location. If you wish to see this property, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.

Clean Updated Hip Hollywood Hills Home

I believe that people have been curb appraising this home, as the outside from the street does not do this house justice. I recently had the opportunity to see the inside of the property, and it is stunning. The owner's did a great job with the upgrades, which include a modern kitchen, high ceilings, nice wood flooring, and two spa like bathrooms. The property also has a very private backyard, and large deck in the front to sit and relax with friends and family. From the living room you get peaceful canyon views, along with a view of the world famous Hollywood sign. At this price, it is an excellent value, in a great location.

3481 Bennett Dr, Hollywood Hills

$839,000 (Reduced from $979,000) 3 Bed + Office Area 3 Bath 1,800 Sq. Ft 13,500 Sq. Ft Lot

Listing and Photos courtesy of Jonathan Zuaiter -- Sotheby's Int'l Realty, Brentwood

This home is absolutely move in ready for a new buyer. I know the owner's would even consider selling the furniture should a buyer desire. Simply a great location just minutes to either Studio City or Hollywood, great house, and a good value as well. If you wish to see this property, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.

A Mid-Century Renovation in Sherman Oaks

I found an article on MSN Real Estate's website documenting a recent remodel a family did on a mid-century home in Sherman Oaks and wanted to share it. Just look at the transformation. The owner's did great work, and the property went from a run down older home to a sleek modern show stopper. They had to remove years's of bad design fads (original terrazo flooring was under the old tiles for example) to bring the home back to it's roots. Then they took the home's solid bones and updated it with modern finishes. The finished product looks stunning, and is a minimalist mid-century modern lover's dream. See the complete article here.

Photos courtesy of Lisa Romerein for Sunset.com

The Meera House

The Meera House designed by Guz Architects in Singapore. Complete with interesting rooftop garden and of course spectacular water views.

All photos courtesy of The Contemporist

Love This Mid-Century View Home -- Hollywood Hills

This is quite simply a WOW property. Lying high up in the popular Beachwood Canyon area of the Hollywood Hills is this stunning trophy property. With a nice flat lot, which can be rare in the Hills, large pool and multiple large decks all pointing towards the explosive views of the downtown skyline, Hollywood sign, & the Griffith Park Observatory, this home is dynamic. The property has an open floor plan, updated finishes, walls of glass, and large bedrooms. This is my favorite kind of property, and the buyer who lives here is going to live the good life!

2600 Creston, Hollywood Hills

$1,999,999 (Reduced from $2,195,000) 3 Bed 3 Bath 2,594 Sq. Ft 13,320 Sq. Ft Lot

Listing & Photos Courtesy of Peter Kinnaird & John Beanum - Teles Properties, Inc.

If you like living in the hills and views are important to you, this is it. Simply a great location, great house, and a good value as well. If you wish to see this property, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.

Architecture Design Trends for 2011

Everyone wants to keep up with what's in style right? Well I found a great post about 10 Residential design trends on the internet today and wanted to share it. Before we get to the post, briefly my personal design thoughts are the following:

-The mic-mansion trend has died down somewhat, with a return to simplify one's home and cut costs. -Wide open floor plans are in with buyers. -High ceilings are like gold, as it adds so much volume to the space and makes the room feel more grand. -I used to like dark hardwood flooring, but am leaning towards light wood these days. Concrete is also cool. -White walls are great also, as it gives a spacious and clean effect. -People are moving back towards the cities and out of the suburbs to be closer to work and cut down on gas usage. -"Green" energy efficient building techniques are definitely appreciated currently as well with more people paying attention to environmental impacts. -In California, walls of glass leading to outdoor spaces, as well as allowing natural light to flood the property is also desired.

See the detailed list after the break.

Please see a great detailed list by BuilderOnline here.

Ashton Kutcher's Hollywood Hills Hideaway For Sale

Celebrity Ashton Kutcher has listed his Hollywood Hills home for sale. Kutcher purchased the property in 2004 back in his bachelor days for $1,000,000, and with his father, completely gutted, expanded and renovated the property into the stunning residence it is now. The property was originally 2,002 sq ft and was expanded into the 3,235 sq ft home it currently is. As we all know Kutcher got married to Demi Moore, so didn't get to enjoy his new bachelor digs. It was recently listed for sale, and looks great. Lying on almost an acre of land, the property has great attention to detail, high end finishes, and an infinity-edge pool. The property is gated and thus very private.

2556 Greenvalley Rd, Hollywood Hills

$2,600,000 4 Bed 4.5 Bath 3,235 Sq. Ft 38,330 Sq. Ft Lot

Listing & Photos Courtesy of Gary Gold - Hilton & Hyland

Using his celebrity, he partnered with Gilt.com to sell tours of the home on Gilt City Los Angeles. The home has been staged by five Los Angeles designers for the tours, and all proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit Kutcher & Moore's foundation, DNA. This is in a private Laurel Canyon location, and represents a great opportunity to own a large lot in the Hollywood Hills. If you wish to see this property, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.

The Kawahara Residence, by Architect Craig Ellwood

I kinda dig the way the listing agent describes this property on the listing, as it is quite poetic with great word choices, so am going to include it here for you.

"First offering: The Kawahara Residence, 1969, Craig Ellwood, Architect. This iconic masterwork composed in steel and glass, with its refined detailing, clearly achieves Ellwood's stated objective of "beauty through order." The residence is a literal embodiment of the Miesian aphorism "Less is More." The upper level living area is a glass envelope supported by the ground level bedrooms, a plan that elevates the house to seemingly merge with the sky, transforming the measurable into the immeasurable. A new master suite, accessed by a glass bridge, and designed by Ellwood Associate James Tyler, FAIA directly opens to the pool, spa and gardens. The property is located in the equestrian community of Rolling Hills Estates, and is within the Palos Verdes School District. With its half-acre lot, the house offers a pastoral setting while maintaining easy access to nearby urban amenities."

6 Shadow Lane, Rolling Hills Estates Palos Verdes

$1,595,000 4 Bed 4 Bath 3,365 Sq. Ft 22,770 Sq. Ft Lot

Listing and Photos Courtesy of Crosby Doe - Crosby Doe Associates, Inc.

This is a great chance to own a mid-century jewel done by a noteworthy architect on a large lot. If you wish to see this property, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.

Open House Here Today 1-4 pm, Please Stop By -- Hollywood

Stunning Hollywood condo with spectacular multi-million dollar views. Building is gated and set back off Beachwood Dr, allowing for privacy and serenity. Feels like you are away from it all in desirable Beachwood Canyon area of the Hollywood Hills, yet just minutes to the heart of the action of new Hollywood. Ideal condo open floor plan with the large bedrooms on the opposite sides of the living, dining, and kitchen open area. Very light & bright with 9' ceilings throughout. French doors lead out to the large balcony, which showcases some of Hollywood's most iconic buildings below. 180 degree view of the Capitol Records Building, new W Hotel, Hollywood & Vine, and more. Great building with large pool, spa, gym, and secure access. Traditional sale.

2222 Beachwood Dr #314, Hollywood Hills

$545,000 2 Bed 2 Bath 1,332 Sq. Ft

This is a great condo in a great location with jaw dropping views. One can always update the kitchen or baths, but can't find this view at this price in many places. If you wish to see this property, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.

Two Houses on a Lot, 1 Modern, 1 Vintage -- West L.A.

A unique and creative space created by owner/architect Emily Jagoda. The modern home is both practical and visually pleasing, taking inspiration from California's great architectural pedigree, yet remade in Jagoda's own vision. It is 3 bedrooms, 2 baths with concrete flooring, an open floor plan, and the unique use of windows throughout the home allow for a ton of natural light. The vintage house has been upgraded, and is 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. They both have private outdoor spaces as well. In a growing westside location, this is an opportunity to own a mini-compound in coveted West Los Angeles. For more information, see the video of the creation of the property by the architect/owner herself here.

2500 Tilden Ave, West Los Angeles

$999,000 5 Bed 4.5 Bath 2,665 Sq. Ft 5,280 Sq. Ft Lot (Figures are for both houses combined)

Great outdoor area to entertain in for the modern home

Front of the Vintage house

Listing & Photos Courtesy of Crosby Doe -- Crosby Doe Associates, Inc.

This is a unique opportunity to own two homes for the price of one. Especially on the westside, where one would be surprised how little a million dollars gets you, this is an excellent value. A good mix of modern and vintage, live in one and lease out the other, or use one for an office/creative space. Opportunities abound in this one. I spoke to the listing agent today, and both houses are currently leased for a total of $6100/mo, which makes for a nice investment, as this would definitely cash flow with 20% down. If you wish to see this property, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.

Hollywood Hills Fixer w/ Views

I just visited this complete fixer today. It's at a nice price with great potential. Lying high up in the hills of Beachwood Canyon is this Spanish fixer with incredible views of downtown and Hollywood below. The property is very private, as it sits down below it's Vasanta street address. Currently the property is separated into two units, both separately metered; however, can easily be put back to it's intended (and zoned) usage of a single family house. I can envision a large deck off that runs the length of the front allowing the owner to relax and soak in the views. Will definitely take some work to get it back to it's glory days; however, with a bit of money and elbow grease, this could be a dynamic view property in a highly desirable location.

2436 Vasanta Way, Hollywood Hills

$599,000 3 Bed 2 Bath 1,312 Sq. Ft 5,000 Sq. Ft Lot per owner

Listing Courtesy of Juan Longfellow & Tracy Fink - Sotheby's Int'l Realty

Pictures by Eric Smilay for Smilay Properties

If you are an investor, architect/contractor, or just someone looking for a project, this may be it. Not many options available in this location anymore at under $600,000, so can potentially get in low, fix up, and sell or live in a million dollar house! If you wish to see this property, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.

Unique Creative House -- Hollywood Hills

Interesting and unique creative home north of Franklin in the Hollywood Hills. According to the listing, the home was "built in 1926 and designed like a Bauhaus space, this great 1 bed, den, library,1 bath, FDR home has a great open floorplan with natural light, has a huge kitchen, big architectural windows, hwd floors and a great guest apartment." Many ways to utilize this property depending on one's needs. In a great location just minutes to New Hollywood, this private space is available for the hip and creative buyer.

2061 Ivar Ave, Hollywood Hills

$698,000 2 Bed 2 Bath 1,207 Sq. Ft 7,013 Lot Sq. Ft

Listing and Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Low -- Sotheby's Int'l Realty

This is an interesting property in a prime location. If you are looking for a unique property at this price point, this one may be perfect. If you wish to see this property, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.

Open House Today 11-2 pm @ Hollywood Condo For Sale

Stunning Hollywood condo with spectacular multi-million dollar views. Building is gated and set back off Beachwood Dr, allowing for privacy and serenity. Feels like you are away from it all in desirable Beachwood Canyon area of the Hollywood Hills, yet just minutes to the heart of the action of new Hollywood. Ideal condo open floor plan with the large bedrooms on the opposite sides of the living, dining, and kitchen open area. Very light & bright with 9' ceilings throughout. French doors lead out to the large balcony, which showcases some of Hollywood's most iconic buildings below. 180 degree view of the Capitol Records Building, new W Hotel, Hollywood & Vine, and more. Great building with large pool, spa, gym, and secure access. Traditional sale.

2222 Beachwood Dr #314, Hollywood Hills

$545,000 2 Bed 2 Bath 1,332 Sq. Ft

Beachwood Canyon Area of the Hollywood Hills

I currently have two listings in the Beachwood Canyon area so have been up there quite a bit recently, so felt like making a post about it. If you are not familiar with this area, it is on the east side of the Hollywood Hills just North of Franklin. It used to be known as "Hollywoodland," which is what the current "Hollywood" sign used to say. Driving up Beachwood Drive is a great opportunity to clearly see the iconic sign. It is a laid back atmosphere with mostly Spanish type homes dating back to the 1920's. The nice thing is that it feels like a small town type area, but yet is just up the hill from all the action in Hollywood. There is also the Franklin Village just a couple blocks east down Franklin from Beachwood Dr. It is a sort of hipster hang out if you will, with Bourgeois Pig cafe, Birds Restaurant, and The Citizens Brigade Theater to name a few of the spots in this space. My first apartment out of college was in this area, so have always been fond of it. I have also sold some great homes, and know it quite well, and would definitely recommend the area as a great place to live.

The current look of one side of the street Tunnels today (compare to the picture of the book above) The other side of the street in modern day. Here is how the Spanish home in the middle of the book picture above looks today. The Village Coffee Shop at the top of Beachwood. There is also a local grocery store next door.

Still mostly Spanish homes in this area, but a few architecturals and updated mid-century homes are moving in.

Rumor has it that Madonna used to live in this castle like building on Beachwood Dr.

Joey Tribbiani lived in this Beachwood building on the Friends spin-off Joey, more on that here.

The Franklin Village area. I admit, it's not a great picture.

Streets lined in palm trees, not a bad area to be.

Pictures by Eric Smilay for Smilay Properties

If you wish to discuss more about the real estate in this area and explore it as a potential home for you, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.

Well Designed 200 Sq. Ft Studio in NYC

Malena Georgieva, an aspiring interior designer, has done a lot with a little in her 200 sq. ft studio apartment in Manhattan's Upper West Side. Yes that's right, just 200 sq. ft. The space is definitely small; however, Ms. Georgieva has done a nice job working with what she has. The white walls and kitchen make the apartment appear larger, and she has used artwork to sort of give the different areas the feeling of separate rooms. Lastly, the use of chairs that swivel allow for one to face any section of the apartment. According to NY Curbed, she pays $1,750/mo for this tiny apartment. In any other city in America, including Los Angeles, this would sound like madness, but somehow almost sounds reasonable in the NYC.

More Pictures can be found here

Photos Courtesy of Trevor Tondro for The New York Times

Famed Interior Designer Kelly Wearstler Starts Blogging

One of the most influential and successful designers in Los Angeles, Kelly Wearstler, has started a new blog entitled My Vibe My Life. If you don't know her by name, you may have visited or seen some of her iconic designs, like any Viceroy Hotel throughout the world, the Broadway Loft Building in Hollywood, and numerous private properties for client's. For her first post, she has displayed a glimpse into her creative process, by setting up inspirational trays in her large design studio for various projects currently in the works. She has only put up one post so far, but for anyone interested in design in general, this may be a blog worth following and checking back often.

All Photos Courtesy of Kelly Wearstler

Original Mid-Century By Noteworthy Architect in Beverly Hills

Original Post & Beam with open floor plan and walls of glass leading out to the large bright blue pool. Designed by noteworthy architect Richard Dorman. Updated kitchen with granite countertops and relaxing wood burning fireplace. Nice grounds with plenty of sun drenched outdoor space to relax in a great north of the Beverly Hills Hotel location.

2291 San Ysidro Dr, Beverly Hills Post Office

$2,100,000 4 Bed 3 Bath 2,744 Sq. Ft

Listing and Photos Courtesy of Brian Linder & Scott King - Deasy, Penner & Partners

Great mid-century bones in this one, enjoy now, or grab your designer to take this property to the next level. Plenty of options here. If you wish to see this property, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.