A lushly landscaped mid-century home designed by famed, self-taught architect Harry Gesner has hit the market in Los Angeles for $9.377 million.
The architect from Southern California built the two-story post-and-beam home with redwood ceilings, wraparound balconies and panoramic views over La La Land in 1958. Its art dealer owner has since turned the rooftop into a billowing garden and filled the home with a personal collection of art and sculpture.
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Mr. Gesner, 93, is most famous for his Malibu Wave House, where a series of cresting roofs inspired Danish architect Jorn Utzon’s design for the Sydney Opera House.
The newly listed home in Brentwood reflects common elements in Mr. Gesner’s designs, including large windows, exaggerated eaves and spacious outdoor spaces that make the landscape and views part of the home. The home spans roughly 4,800 square feet.
"I was looking for something that inspired me. It was really important to me to find something that has soul," said Sloan Schaffer, a gallerist and architect—who bought the property in 2014 for $4.675 million, property records show.
Mr. Schaffer, who founded 101/EXHIBIT, listed the home at the end of February with Compass agent Scott Gorelick.
An art and design aficionado, Mr. Schaffer set to work putting his personal touches on the home and playing up the architect’s vision.
He created custom-patterned decorative metal sheets that he used to cover exposed electrical panels and hide the underbelly of a wooden deck. He also filled the rooftop with more than 40 species of succulents and other desert foliage. He alsoadded an all-weather TV and heaters so the space could be enjoyed even on cold nights.
"The entire rooftop is a living garden and an incredible outdoor site,"Mr. Schaffer said. "The roof deck is where I spent a lot of time."
He’s also used pockets of landscaping around the property as settings for some of the works in his sculptural collection.
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The living space on the first floor, including spacious sunken living spaces, an open kitchen and floating staircase, has provided a gallery-like setting for Mr. Schaffer’s eclectic personal art collection. He’s lit the space with custom fixtures by a handful of high-end designers, including Lindsey Adelman and Tom Dixon.
While the downstairs provides aspace to entertain, Mr. Schaffer said he spends most of his time on the second floor, particularly in a cozy, shelf-lined library.
"I really love my library, and I love my master bedroom," he said.
The master bedroom has a spa bath, with a steam shower and separate hair-wash basin. Elsewhere in the home, amenities include a wine room and home theater, according to the listing with Mr. Gorelick.
Mr. Schaffer said he’s hoping to pick up a new architectural project in Los Angeles.