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A Standout Home by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Grandson Lists for $2.9M in La Crescenta, CAView 21 Photos

A Standout Home by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Grandson Lists for $2.9M in La Crescenta, CA

Curvilinear concrete walls, slanted skylights, and a two-story oval fireplace are just some of the highlights.
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Property Details:

Location: 2826 Alta Terrace, La Crescenta, California

Price: $2,895,000

Year Built: 1992

Architect: Eric Lloyd Wright  

Footprint: 4,554 square feet (five bedrooms, five baths)

From the agent: "The American modernist movement during the 1990s is generally overlooked, architecturally speaking. But with the Wystrach-Adams Residence, a magical combination of surface, structure and transparency comes to the forefront of this incredibly rare, avant-garde natural compound in the lush hills of La Crescenta. While the curved roofline and exterior play on light deconstructivism, the interior seamlessly weaves the surroundings into the home with organic materials, natural light, and flow. Building remains original and meticulously maintained. Recent upgrades over the past five years include 13 Velux replacement skylights with automatic solar blinds, waterproofing to the main and ADU roofs, fully owned permitted solar, EV charger, LED lighting throughout, and more."

This La Crescenta home by Eric Lloyd Wright, son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright Jr. and grandson of the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright, is characterized by curved surfaces and interiors faced in organic materials such as raw concrete, tile, and teak.

This La Crescenta home by Eric Lloyd Wright, son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright Jr. and grandson of the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright, is characterized by curved surfaces and interiors faced in organic materials such as raw concrete, tile, and teak.

At the front entrance to the home, dubbed the Wystrach-Adams Residence, a curved wooden roofline and angular concrete walls hint at the material palette and recurring motifs to come.

At the front entrance to the home, dubbed the Wystrach-Adams Residence, a curved wooden roofline and angular concrete walls hint at the material palette and recurring motifs to come.

"The original owner was enamored with the curves of the nearby area, and they are consistent in the home—in beams, glass, coved lighting, Cor-Ten steel, marble, and built-ins," says the listing agent.

"The original owner was enamored with the curves of the nearby area, and they are consistent in the home—in beams, glass, coved lighting, Cor-Ten steel, marble, and built-ins," says the listing agent.

Undulating concrete walls enhance the dramatic effect in the towering entry hall, where a winding wooden staircase with a copper-accented balustrade sits below an oversize slanted U-shaped skylight.

Undulating concrete walls enhance the dramatic effect in the towering entry hall, where a winding wooden staircase with a copper-accented balustrade sits below an oversize slanted U-shaped skylight.

A two-story fireplace made from aggregate concrete creates a partial divide between the entry hall and main living area.

A two-story fireplace made from aggregate concrete creates a partial divide between the entry hall and main living area.

Wood-framed glass doors connect living room and open office/den to the deck. A curvilinear sofa and rounded wall shelves build upon the recurring motif.

Wood-framed glass doors connect living room and open office/den to the deck. A curvilinear sofa and rounded wall shelves build upon the recurring motif.

A built-in storage unit with a wavelike marble countertop and curved wooden cabinets and shelves separates the dining area from the living room.

A built-in storage unit with a wavelike marble countertop and curved wooden cabinets and shelves separates the dining area from the living room.

Full-height glass doors facilitate easy movement between the dining room and outdoor area.

Full-height glass doors facilitate easy movement between the dining room and outdoor area.

"The partially vaulted kitchen incorporates a two-story mitered window, as well as skylights and clerestory windows," says the listing agent.

"The partially vaulted kitchen incorporates a two-story mitered window, as well as skylights and clerestory windows," says the listing agent.

The original wooden cabinetry was carefully maintained in the galley kitchen.

The original wooden cabinetry was carefully maintained in the galley kitchen.

The double-sided oval fireplace extends to the principal bedroom on the second floor.

The double-sided oval fireplace extends to the principal bedroom on the second floor.

"The bright primary has more curved beamed ceilings, skylights, and glass doors that flow onto an expansive, private-view deck," says the listing agent.

"The bright primary has more curved beamed ceilings, skylights, and glass doors that flow onto an expansive, private-view deck," says the listing agent.

In total, the main house offers four bedrooms—one on the entry level and three on the upper floor. There is also a gym, full bath, laundry, and bonus room on the ground level. 

In total, the main house offers four bedrooms—one on the entry level and three on the upper floor. There is also a gym, full bath, laundry, and bonus room on the ground level. 

"The home’s mountainous backdrop was uniquely designed into the guest bathroom by mosaic tiler Paul Clarke," says the listing agent.

"The home’s mountainous backdrop was uniquely designed into the guest bathroom by mosaic tiler Paul Clarke," says the listing agent.

In another bathroom, colorful tiles clad the walls and floors of the shower, which includes a built-in bench and recessed shelving.

In another bathroom, colorful tiles clad the walls and floors of the shower, which includes a built-in bench and recessed shelving.

Most of the property’s five baths incorporate angular, wood-lined windows and built-in storage.

Most of the property’s five baths incorporate angular, wood-lined windows and built-in storage.

The Eric Lloyd Wright–designed home also includes a permitted accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with a full bath. The detached guesthouse, located above the home’s garage, incorporates corner windows and skylights and opens to a private balcony.

The Eric Lloyd Wright–designed home also includes a permitted accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with a full bath. The detached guesthouse, located above the home’s garage, incorporates corner windows and skylights and opens to a private balcony.

The main floor and upper level of the primary residence open to long decks rimmed with built-in benches, while the ground floor offers direct access to the backyard. 

The main floor and upper level of the primary residence open to long decks rimmed with built-in benches, while the ground floor offers direct access to the backyard. 

"The landscaping on the 13,000-square-foot lot was designed by Greg Sullivan in collaboration with the architect to embrace the home with towering trees," says the listing agent. "Eighteen mature pine, citrus, and flowering trees grace the lot and attract migratory orioles, local sparrows, and the annual great blue heron."

"The landscaping on the 13,000-square-foot lot was designed by Greg Sullivan in collaboration with the architect to embrace the home with towering trees," says the listing agent. "Eighteen mature pine, citrus, and flowering trees grace the lot and attract migratory orioles, local sparrows, and the annual great blue heron."

A koi pond and waterfall fountain create a peaceful refuge near the outdoor barbecue area.

A koi pond and waterfall fountain create a peaceful refuge near the outdoor barbecue area.

Sarah Buder
Culture Editor
Sarah Buder is Dwell’s Culture Editor. She focuses on stories at the intersection of architecture and design with entertainment, travel, identity, the internet, and more. She’s particularly pro-knickknacks.

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