2089 Sunset Plaza Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90069
Asking Price: $3,200,000
Legendary mid-century architect Richard Banta designed this incredible house for himself on a 45-degree slope in the hills on Sunset Plaza Drive. The currently two bedroom home features Banta’s signature pleated roof. The house’s iconic red zigzagging V-shaped steel stilts supports the home precarious hillside position while also being extraordinarily visually pleasing to eyes throughout the canyon. Perhaps one genius stroke is the stilts mirror the geometry of the roof giving it a sense of stability, a successful architectural solution to stilts and post and beams homes throughout Los Angeles.
The Banta House was created to act as the prototype for houses built on down-slope lots. He later built three more similar spec houses in nearby Beachwood Canyon.
The home is originally a trim 1,181 square feet, but included in the sale are pre-approved plans for a 3,300-square-foot addition that would add two more stories descending down the hillside. The plans are said to carefully pay addition to the existing house, which is to remain untouched.
The home is walled and gated for total privacy. The street door opens into a lovely and peaceful courtyard.
The effect of being so close to the hillside creates an intimate feeling of calming aloneness.
The one-of-a-kind-triangular ceiling, the hardwood floors, and the balcony that extends the full length of the house combine to create a truly magical mid-century experience.
The open plan kitchen has newer custom cabinetry and counters made to resemble but improve upon the woodwork you may have found in 1959, when this home was built.
The home has many clever design embellishments including this sliding counter that creates eat-in seating at one, and when pushed back, offers plenty of counter space for food preparation or for food and drinks display if you are having people over to entertain (and show off your new digs).
The Banta House has stylish two full baths.
And two bright and beautiful bedrooms with jetliner canyon and city views, balcony access, floor-to-ceiling glass panels.
I mean, this is the kind of bath you see published in magazines and architectural journals.
And, of course, The Banta House has been extensively photographed and documented in the works of Tim Street-Porter and actress and preservation Diane Keaton.
The wonderful balcony offers breathtaking views and a true sense of pride of ownership. Whether you are entertaining or relaxing, this is the spot to do it.
The renderings for the approved plans and issued permits include a glass portal in the courtyard that leads to two lower levels. The middle level features an enormous great room with a large second kitchen and wine room, 14-foot high ceilings and walls of glass that would showcase the iconic red stilts, preserving this unique feature of this celebrated property. The lower level would contain the master suite, guest quarters, laundry, and a screening room that open to a flat yard with an infinity edge pool.
Can you imagine when it first appeared on the market it was listed at just $42,500? Of course, I love the home just as it is, but with the renderings offering such unique and incredible ways at preserving the home’s architectural integrity while adding over 2,000 square feet of living space, 2089 Sunset Plaza Drive could become the best of both worlds.
If you would like to view the Banta House, call me today at (937) 243-2349 or email me at tatiana.tensen@sothebyshomes.com.
Listing provided courtesy of Julia Delorme, Sotheby’s International Realty.