Two Classic Midcentury Modern Homes In One!

For the first time since they were commissioned, for sale at $12.5 million are dual, custom-designed midcentury homes by modernist pioneers A. Quincy Jones and Thornton Ladd. Since 1954, the property was the home of Adelaide Hixon, the late philanthropist, who called Pasadena home for more than 100 years.

Surrounded by ancient trees and very private, the complex is perched on a hilltop with views that encompass the Rose Bowl, San Gabriel Valley, downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean. Hixon commissioned the Thornton Ladd home in 1954 and started buying additional adjoining lots until she owned a bit over three acres. At that point, she hired Jones to design an additional home that she used to entertain her guests for fundraising events.

Their original Ladd home of 3,000 square feet, three bedrooms and four baths is entered through a frosted-glass-enclosed courtyard into spacious rooms with original terrazzo floors, custom floor-to-ceiling built-ins and glass with views of the pool and Japanese gardens.

Across the courtyard, they built the 6,500-square-foot Jones home with three bedrooms, five baths, a large freestanding fireplace in the expansive living room and floor-to-ceiling glass walls and angular, double-height roof. It was perfect for entertaining where guests could meander through the Zen-like gardens, koi ponds and Luis Barragán-influenced cascading waterfall.

Together, the property contains a total of 9,500 square feet of living space, six bedrooms and nine baths. Reached via a long driveway that winds up the hill, it ends at a large motor court with parking space for multiple guests. Privacy shade trees, Zen gardens and the exceptional architecture lends itself to creating an almost magical environment for the new owner.

The Hixen estate, among the most architecturally significant estates in California, is listed by Gus Ruelas, Anthony Guthmiller and Mauricio Umansky of The Agency, Beverly Hills.

Photo credit: Shawn Bishop

Source: www.theagencyre.com