A One-of-a-Kind Midcentury Modern Has Resurfaced on the Market to the Tune of $3.5M

Black-and-white shots by famed architectural photographer Julius Shulman offer a vintage look at the Fred Antelline House, designed by a 19-year-old Jon P. Antelline for his father.

Text by

Kathryn M.

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Perhaps you're not familiar with the name Jon P. Antelline, but the post-and-beam home he designed at just age 19 speaks for itself. Originally built in 1960 for Antelline's family, the home recently resurfaced decades after capturing the attention of iconic architectural photographer Julius Shulman. The vintage photos—shown below along with modern images—show off the circular living area and other unique features of the home, which was recently listed for the first time since the '80s.

At 19 years old, Jon P. Antelline designed the home using circular geometry to define the floor plan and landscaping. A walkway to the main entrance is framed by cutouts in the roof overhang, along with overlapping concrete slabs bordering the water feature.

Antelline was never formally trained as an architect and relied on experience working at his father Fred's general contracting and engineering firm. One of Shulman's photos show the sunken seating area, which is positioned within a circular section in the floor.

Shulman, who passed away in 2009, helped bring to light work from many of the twentieth century's biggest architects—Neutra, Wright, Eames, Koenig, Soriano, and others. Through the prominent period magazine Arts & Architecture and other publications, Shulman's photography of midcentury-modern design in California spread the style around the world. His photos of the Fred Antelline House, taken in 1961, offer a chance to look back at the home shortly after its completion.

Throughout the years, finishes such as tile floors replaced carpeting and a natural stain replaced a darker walnut finish along mahogany walls and ceiling. However, no major structural changes were made, providing the opportunity for future owners to restore original details.

The sunken seating area remains, providing a central gathering spot. A faux patina was applied to the original fireplace and other surfaces and fixtures throughout the home. A circular wall defines another section of the living room and conceals a hallway leading to the bedrooms.

Another view of the living area highlights the various shapes of the soaring interior, as well as the glass walls overlooking the main entrance. — Another view of the living area highlights the various shapes of the soaring interior, as well as the glass walls overlooking the main entrance.

The house is among just three of Antelline's residential designs that were built in San Diego and the only one still standing. Offering four bedrooms and four bathrooms, the multi-level home is spread out across nearly 4,000 square feet and sits on a three-and-a-half-acre plot north of downtown in Rancho Santa Fe. The property also comes with a backyard pool, tennis court, barn, and pasture. Keep scrolling to see more photos of this $3,500,000 property—including several by Shulman.