Asking $1.55M, This Restored L.A. Midcentury Celebrates Architect Jean G. Killion’s Forgotten Legacy

While working in Richard Neutra’s office, architect Jean Gloria Killion designed and built herself a stunning home and studio in the hills of Pasadena.

Text by

Kathryn M.

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A midcentury post-and-beam home in Pasadena, California, is back on the market following efforts by local developers to revive both the home and the architect’s legacy. Located in the Poppy Peak Historic District, the hillside residence was designed by Jean Gloria Killion, who worked as a project architect in Richard Neutra’s office from 1952 to 1954. While it’s unknown how Killion contributed to Neutra’s famous designs from this period, her own residence is among the few structures officially attributed to her name.

Completed in 1954, the Killion Residence was designed by architect Jean G. Killion as her personal residence in Pasadena, California. The property also served as her workplace after she departed from the office of Neutra & Alexander that same year.

Stairs from the upper-level entryway lead down to perhaps the home’s most dramatic features: a double-height living area complete with walls of windows and doors along two sides, and a wrap-around deck that overlooks downtown Los Angeles to the south.

Earlier this year, area design firm HabHouse stepped in to purchase the property and reverse years of deferred maintenance. Many of Killion’s original details were retained, including, most prominently, redwood beams and cladding, as well as terra-cotta brick pavers in the living areas. A gut renovation of the kitchen area is among the most significant changes.

The living area features original terra-cotta pavers and wood paneling. New built-in bookshelves line one side of the room and wrap around the wall into the kitchen.

The kitchen features modern cabinetry that mimics wood paneling found throughout the home.

HabHouse—which is led by photographer and designer Andreas E.G. Larsson, along with his partner, Mike Landry—is no stranger to the neighborhood, having completed another impressive renovation just down the street in 2019.

The living area steps up to meet the staircase. A formal dining area nestles in the rear alcove.

Similar to other rooms in the home, the dining area is furnished with pieces from the late Italian designer Enzo Mari’s Autoprogettazione collection. A new Akari pendant hangs over the table. — Similar to other rooms in the home, the dining area is furnished with pieces from the late Italian designer Enzo Mari’s Autoprogettazione collection. A new Akari pendant hangs over the table.

Sliding glass doors open the dining area to a balcony overlooking the hillside.

Listed for $1,548,000, the Killion Residence offers just over 2,100 square feet of interior space, including three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Multiple decks, balconies, and patios provide space to enjoy both the far-reaching views, as well as the quiet hillside location. Keep scrolling to see more of the home—including the colorfully tiled bathrooms.