Richard Neutra’s Restored Lew House Is the Epitome of Midcentury Cool

After a yearlong restoration led by Marmol Radziner, this svelte home can now be rented for $26,000 a month.
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Richard Neutra is a familiar name in the Hollywood Hills, having designed many of the area’s midcentury-modern homes throughout his illustrious career. One property, the 1958 Lew House, sits along a winding street above the famed Sunset Plaza. A renovation in the early 2000s recaptured Neutra’s original vision for the home—most notably by reinstating the showroom-like glass walls that enclose the carport.

The 1958 Lew House by Richard Neutra is located at 1456 Sunset Plaza Drive, just a few turns up from Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. The front facade is dominated by a double carport, which Neutra designed with floor-to-ceiling glass along two sides facing the interior.

The 1958 Lew House by Richard Neutra is located at 1456 Sunset Plaza Drive, just a few turns up from Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. The front facade is dominated by a double carport, which Neutra designed with floor-to-ceiling glass along two sides facing the interior.

The current owner enlisted Leo Marmol and Ron Radziner of Marmol Radziner + Associates to complete a yearlong restoration. The firm relied on their prior experience restoring other Neutra designs and worked to retrace the home’s original design. In a 2002 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Marmol, who supervised most of the project, described the home's state at that time as "dingy" and needing to be "woken up." The result is a tri-level villa that pays homage to both Neutra and midcentury-modern design.

Architect Leo Marmol reinstated one of Neutra's original features by reinstalling floor-to-ceiling glass around one corner of the carport. The L.A. Times article noted that previous owners had covered the windows with chipboard to block views from the street. Marmol opted for a new half-wall and shades to help make the space more livable for its owners.

Architect Leo Marmol reinstated one of Neutra's original features by reinstalling floor-to-ceiling glass around one corner of the carport. The L.A. Times article noted that previous owners had covered the windows with chipboard to block views from the street. Marmol opted for a new half-wall and shades to help make the space more livable for its owners.

In addition to restoring original window openings and layouts, the renovation also expanded the home to include an additional lower level and backyard pool. Finishes throughout were updated in timeless shades that have withstood the test of nearly two decades passing since the project wrapped. Featured in photoshoots and previously available as a short-term rental, the Lew House is currently available to rent for $26,000 per month. Keep scrolling to see more of this Hollywood Hills hideaway.

The home's top level features a dramatic living room that opens onto a cantilevering balcony. Now available as a monthly rental, the Lew House comes fully furnished with furnishings by midcentury design icons such as Kagan, Baughman, Robsjohn-Gibbings, Cherner, and Sciolari. 

The home's top level features a dramatic living room that opens onto a cantilevering balcony. Now available as a monthly rental, the Lew House comes fully furnished with furnishings by midcentury design icons such as Kagan, Baughman, Robsjohn-Gibbings, Cherner, and Sciolari. 

Broad windows stretch along one side of the kitchen, connecting with the sliding glass doors in the living room. The bright space overlooks classic views of the Hollywood hills.

Broad windows stretch along one side of the kitchen, connecting with the sliding glass doors in the living room. The bright space overlooks classic views of the Hollywood hills.

The kitchen was updated as part of the renovation and features high-end appliances and dark cabinetry to complement the flooring. This all-inclusive rental comes with a fully stocked kitchen, including dishes and cookware.

The kitchen was updated as part of the renovation and features high-end appliances and dark cabinetry to complement the flooring. This all-inclusive rental comes with a fully stocked kitchen, including dishes and cookware.

A guest bedroom suite is located on the other side of the living room. The large room features direct access to the covered deck, the floors of which were stained the same color as the interior to provide visual continuity for the home's indoor/outdoor flow. 

A guest bedroom suite is located on the other side of the living room. The large room features direct access to the covered deck, the floors of which were stained the same color as the interior to provide visual continuity for the home's indoor/outdoor flow. 

Down one level are two additional bedrooms and a family room. Wall-to-wall windows line the space, providing views of the backyard as well as ample sunlight.

Down one level are two additional bedrooms and a family room. Wall-to-wall windows line the space, providing views of the backyard as well as ample sunlight.

A look at one of the home's four bathrooms, this one with double sinks and a walk-in shower.

A look at one of the home's four bathrooms, this one with double sinks and a walk-in shower.

The lowest level—added during the Marmol renovation—now offers guest accommodations, including a second kitchen and living room, as well as a bedroom with en-suite. The space is also accessible via its own exterior entrance.

The lowest level—added during the Marmol renovation—now offers guest accommodations, including a second kitchen and living room, as well as a bedroom with en-suite. The space is also accessible via its own exterior entrance.

Also located along the ground level is a glistening pool and spa. A large patio surrounds the space and offers room for relaxing or entertaining. 

Also located along the ground level is a glistening pool and spa. A large patio surrounds the space and offers room for relaxing or entertaining. 

The grassy backyard sits just below the pool area. The comparatively compact front facade is quite a contrast to the rear, which reveals the home's much larger size as it walks down the hill.

The grassy backyard sits just below the pool area. The comparatively compact front facade is quite a contrast to the rear, which reveals the home's much larger size as it walks down the hill.

Views from the property overlook a city skyline the glimmers from Hollywood and beyond.

Views from the property overlook a city skyline the glimmers from Hollywood and beyond.

The Lew House at 1456 Sunset Plaza Drive in Los Angeles, CA, is currently listed for $26,000 per month by Billy Rose of The Agency.

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