Snag This Los Angeles Midcentury For Just Under $2M
Built by midcentury architect Marvin Beck in 1958, this 1,530-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath home is located in upper Benedict Canyon, surrounded by nature, but just minutes from Beverly Hills. Beck built the residence for himself and his wife, and the quiet street where the home sits is in good midcentury company—its neighbored by a 1949 Craig Ellwood home, as well as two other homes that were designed by Beck.
The living space is spread across a single level. The lower level houses the garage, a gated parking spot, plus storage and the laundry.
The floor plan of 9617 Yoakum Drive is divided across two levels with the living space located on the upper level, which is a flush with the backyard. The lower level is home to a storage space, laundry, and the garage. Beck designed the home for indoor-outdoor living, and every room—except for the master bedroom—offers direct access to the outdoors. Thoughtful touches incorporate an even greater sense of the outdoors into the interior space: there are clerestory and transom windows strategically inserted to showcase the canyon's ridgelines, a skylight in the living room, and sliding doors throughout the home.
The foyer is a continuation of the exterior facade. On the left is a custom-made, built-in floating closet that is the same material and color as the facade.
As you enter the home, a cut out in the foyer peers into the living room and straight out towards the backyard. A built-in entry cabinet connects to the fireplace, which is made of the same material.
Many classic elements of midcentury design still exist throughout. There is an open-plan living space, original tongue and groove ceilings, original wood paneling, and a wall of glass (in the form of two custom-made retractable glass walls). The kitchen and living area were both updated prior to 2014 with renovations that sought to incorporate these midcentury elements and to also maximize the entry of natural light. And while the second bathroom is original to the home, the master bath was very recently modernized with black Italian porcelain tiles, Carrara marble, and light wood cabinetry, with the renovation wrapping up shortly before the home listed.
Sneak a peek at the rest of this solid midcentury offering below:
A skylight brings additional natural light into the open-plan living space. The gray, combed basalt fireplace figures prominently, as does built-in wood cabinetry.
The living area has a direct connection to the outdoors via a custom-made retractable wall of glass that leads to the backyard, a perfect spot for alfresco dining.
The open kitchen and dining area is bright, airy, and features a custom-made retractable glass door to mirror the other side of the open-plan space.
The kitchen was updated prior to 2014 with black honed granite countertops and a punchy tile backsplash.
The appliances are from the Viking Professional Series, including a refrigerator in a fun shade of royal blue.
The wood paneling in the master bedroom is original as is the tongue and groove ceiling. The master is the only room in the house without a connection to the outdoors.
The master bathroom renovation was designed by Asaf Mordoch and completed in August 2019. The intention of the remodel was to modernize the bathroom and to incorporate nature, light, and midcentury elements into the space. The redesign also picks up on elements of gray to visually tie the space to the living room. The material palette includes black Italian porcelain and Carrara marble countertops.
The wood paneling and the ceiling in the second bedroom are also original yet have a very contemporary feel. The second bedroom also features original sliding glass doors leading to the backyard.
The second bedroom.
The second bathroom has clerestory windows and features cheery, yellow tiles. It is from the original 1958 construction.
The den is adjacent to the second bedroom and also features original sliding glass doors that lead to the backyard.
The home has a direct connection with the shaded backyard.
The garden has been planted with native landscaping to support the canyon's ecosystem. The current owner says that they often spot honey bees, hummingbirds, deer, hawks, and owls in the yard.
The home is quietly nestled into the surrounding greenery.
Related Reading: A Handsomely Updated Midcentury in the Hollywood Hills Wants $2.4M
9617 Yoakum Drive is currently listed for $1,995,000 by Boni Bryant and Joe Reichling of Compass.
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