490 La Loma Road

Striking Mid-Century Modern designed by architect Theodore Pletsch, renowned for his plethora of work in Pasadena and the surrounding Los Angeles environs, this perfect setting immediately conveys an air of noble sophistication. Located just off Millionaire’s Row at the top of wooded La Loma Road and sited behind the privacy of large imposing gates, Pletsch designed the estate in 1967 in collaboration with decorator and mid-century interiors retailer Jean Crowell and her husband Eugene. In 1978, while marveling over its unique and enduring architectural style, the Los Angeles Times affectionately crowned it The Crowell Residence.

The journey, which begins at a walled courtyard, leads to an entry passage that at once reveals a serene one-of-a-kind secret retreat. Distressed double doors open to a dramatic double-height living room and adjacent dining room featuring three-sets of over-sized glass doors that open to a majestic plein air landscape of gardens- formal in their structure with Mediterranean plantings, a Greco-Roman designed swimming pool and numerous landing pads in which to luxuriate. The guesthouse with a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bath sits prominently as it effortlessly draws the eye over the sparkling pool, to the cascading hillside and sky beyond. Timeless in design, the sleek buildings offer scale and a sense of place and feature massive pillars, textured smooth stucco walls and small windows accented with ornate metal screens reminiscent of a Moroccan or medieval Villa. Completing the estate’s floor plan are two primary suites, three bathrooms, a fully renovated chef’s kitchen and an attached 2-car garage with laundry.