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An Impeccably Redesigned Mid-century Residence Combines the Beauty and Sophistication of a Bygone Era While Overlooking Dramatic Views of the City of Angels—from the Coastline and the Hollywood Sign to Downtown and the Snow-capped Mountains
“Every once in a while,” says real estate agent Rachel Ezra of Sotheby’s International Realty, “a very special home with a unique story to tell comes available in the South Bay market.”
Such was the case when she toured a graceful Mid-Century residence perched on a gently sloping hill in Redondo Beach.
“With so many cookie-cutter new builds and boring remodels out there, this one truly breaks the mold,” says Gabriel Miller, a designer, builder and artist responsible for the home’s transformation.
Sunlit and with abundant glass, all the better to take in dramatic views spanning from ocean and coastline to Downtown, the 2,296 square foot home retained many bona fides of its 1950s vintage—a benefit of having had only one owner through its 70-year history.
There were clean-cut geometric silhouettes, exposed ceiling beams and a distinctive low-pitched roof. And in classic California fashion, the home—and its generously sized lot of 9,890.00 square feet, or about .21 of an acre—were created to showcase natural treasures, like lush greenery and poetic old-growth trees.
“When I was in the backyard,” says Rachel Ezra, “it felt like you were somewhere else. You have ocean views and city views, and it’s very private. It’s like a sanctuary.”
Vision and Transformation
Gabriel Miller, driven by a vision to create a home for himself and his young family, has spent decades uncovering and elevating unique residences and was struck by the original 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home he toured on Via Monte Doro. His first impression?
“It was a Mid-Century home built in 1954 that was stuck in 1974.”
“The area is known as Riviera Village,” he points out, “but people forget the original name is Hollywood Riviera.” This inspired Gabriel Miller to undertake a new project where he would bring, as he states, “glamour and drama back to a neighborhood that has long been a hidden sanctuary in the hills of the South Bay.”
Gabriel Miller’s take on the concept is a modern one, marked by high style alongside an unstarched, fresh-air mode of living.
Now, with his work complete, he says of the residence: “This isn’t just a home, it’s a lifestyle. One that brings the idea of Mid Century very much into this century.”
The property has been recast from its frame, foundation and landscaping. The floorplan was opened up in strategic fashion and the entire infrastructure was made anew; everything from appliances and electrical to plumbing and technology.
“It’s a smart home,” the developer notes. “Everything can be operated by an app if you wish.”
Gabriel Miller, who is also a painter, with some of his artwork placed throughout the residence, points out that he built the home for a type of customer who has “a keen eye, great taste and wants to make a statement.”
He combined a rigorous build quality and design aesthetic into a prime location, one that’s ideal for what he calls “a forever home.”
The result is a property that’s been elevated into an artfully crafted sanctuary—a place with a distinctive atmosphere that melds the essence of Hollywood glamour with the relaxed atmosphere of the coastal Riviera.
“It seamlessly blends together,” he says. “It’s jaw-dropping.”
Artful Details
The sunlight entranceway, Gabriel Miller describes, “acts as a threshold that transports you into the world of the home—like a decompression zone.”
The exterior walls are made of hand-cut, hand-stained redwood that Gabriel Miller coated with a walnut stain and a marine matte varnish; the latter a specialized coating designed for coastal environments. The look is elegantly earthy and organic, meant to counter-balance the hand-applied custom stucco in a deep shade called Inkwell.
In the coastal-view great room, the fireplace is surrounded by inky, blue-black bricks that contrast against a toasty-hued, exposed ceiling. The kitchen is equally eye-catching, dressed in a vivid swirl of gleaming, black-on-white stone, from its countertops and backsplash to a waterfall island. Nearby, flames flicker in the fireplace.
The renovation evolved into a comprehensive transformation, including ample outdoor living space and a lushly landscaped yard. Gabriel Miller, who was at the residence each day, prioritized both quality and the creation of intimate moments to rest and take in one’s surroundings.
To that end, Gabriel Miller’s overhaul maximized the home’s elevated site, capturing sweeping vistas from three key vantage points: the exterior deck, the primary bedroom and the formal living room. These carefully composed views encompass a panorama stretching from downtown Los Angeles and Culver City to Long Beach and the South Bay’s trademark Queen’s Necklace. There are mountains and ocean and, after dark, the twinkling white lights of town and city.
Love That Lifestyle
There’s also a keen sense of the home that comes from its location. Hollywood Riviera attracts a distinct buyer profile.
As the agent observes, “The Hollywood Riviera buyer is a very particular buyer that loves that area. They prefer it over Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach. They love that lifestyle.”
You can cruise a few minutes along the wide, peaceful streets of the neighborhood to reach an inviting lineup of boutiques and eateries along the palm-lined streets of Catalina Avenue in downtown Redondo Beach, less than a mile away. So, too, is the beach; less than 5 minutes by bike, or a 20 to 25-minute stroll.
Back at 601 Via Monte Doro, the secluded backyard offers ocean views and twilight ease. The cypress trees and palms are illuminated by the sunset, while a series of wooden decks offer an inviting selection of places to dine and lounge at distinct elevations.
“It’s a home built perfectly to entertain,” the designer describes.
But also a place of easy living and quiet seclusion.
Rachel Ezra | 310.400.0297 | DRE# 01396863
Sotheby’s International Realty
List Price: $3,549,000
Photography by Paul Jonason
