In the La Crescenta Foothills, Flea Lists His Funky Architectural Compound

Seller-Flea

Location-La Crescenta, Calif.

Price-$9.8 million

Year-1954

Architect-Richard Neutra; Michael Maltzan

Specs-5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms

Lot Size-5.7 acres

Having recently picked up a $14 million 90210 spread in the steep mountains above Beverly Hills — and already owning a petite hideaway in the exclusive Malibu Colony gated community — Michael “Flea” Balzary no longer has any need for his funky architectural digs tucked away in the La Crescenta foothills. Unsurprisingly, the Red Hot Chili Pepper bassist has now officially listed the pedigreed property in the unincorporated community near Glendale, asking a hefty $9.8 million for the one-of-a-kind refuge he picked up for $4.3 million almost four years ago.

That’s a whopping $5.5 million more than Balzary paid contemporary artists Lari Pittman and Roy Dowell for the place, but it does include an 875-square-foot addition that was installed on the property last year, as well as a pool and cabin that were tacked on in 2020. The listing agents are Sherri Rogers, Elisa Ritt and Anthony Stellini of Compass, and Asher Ehsani of Uhler Mortgage Solutions.

Sited about 20 miles north of Downtown L.A., amid a “curated succulent garden” bordering the Angeles National Forest, the hilltop compound is sequestered down a lengthy driveway and features two primary residences — a glassy main house designed by L.A.-based architect Michael Maltzan in 2009 and a 1950s residence specially crafted by noted modernist architect Richard Neutra for his secretary, Dorothy Serulnic, and her husband George.

Also on the premises are a striking accessory cabin, clad entirely in redwood, an outdoor movie pavilion, plus sweeping mountain and city skyline views from every vantage point. As for the main home, commissioned by Pittman and Dowell, it includes an impressive seven-sided structure wrapped around a central courtyard, along with the aforementioned recent Maltzan addition. Featured in Architectural Record, it has garnered a trio of awards from the American Institute of Architects.

Particularly standing out inside is a master retreat sporting a curvilinear penny-tiled bath, and the space also holds a smart-office area, den and tons of built-in storage space; outdoors, a Johnston Vidal lap pool stretches 50 feet, while the open-air movie pavilion is outfitted with a wind screen and catering kitchen.

Known as the Dorothy Serulnic Residence, the property’s original dwelling packs two bedrooms and a full bath into 1,350 square feet of restored living space boasting walls of glass and a bear valley stone fireplace. Neutra-designed built-ins can be found throughout. Think a sofa system sporting a record player and concealed speakers, along with numerous desks, shelving systems, a dining room table, sliding breakfast nook and vanity.

Ref: In the La Crescenta Foothills, Flea Lists His Funky Architectural Compound (dirt)