Through the verdant, winding hills of Laurel Canyon, we find some of LA’s most beautiful homes. This Modern Contemporary is a metamorphosis of its former self.
| 5 BEDS & 4 BATHS | LP $4,595,000 | BUILT 2017 | 3,730 SQ. FT. |
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Legacies of LA first covered 2660 Skywin Way nearly two years ago when it was a contemporary 5 bed/4 bath, 3,203 sq. ft. residence that had been owned by the same family for 40 years.
2660 Skywin @2015 before redesign.
Since 2015, when the home had changed hands for the first time, 2660 Skywin has undergone an extensive redesign by the architectural firm ANDStudio, winner of the AIA/LA 2017 Residential Architecture Award for the Private Home re-design of the Edwin Residence also in Laurel Canyon.
ANDStudio principal, Won Cho is a rising star who studied architecture engineering in South Korea before obtaining his Master’s in architecture from Cal Poly Pomona. He worked at OJMR Architects in Los Angeles for 8 years on high-end projects from multi-family residential and mixed-use, to urban design. When Cho established ANDStudio it was to pursue the philosophy of collaboration between stakeholders: clients and designers, contractors and tradespeople, with public agencies, and within the design team and engineers.
ANDStudio Rendering
The strength of Cho’s philosophy is evident in 2660 Skywin. Heavily influenced by Mid-Century Modern architects, Cho said he utilized concepts of Richard Neutra and Rudolph Schindler, both of whom were the subject of Cho’s graduate case studies.
“I like mid-century modern homes and their approach to space with minimalistic design and the openness to outdoors.”– Won Cho, Architect
His mandate was simple:
“For the [2600 Skywin Drive] project, the view was most important. We considered how the design responded to nature and how to bring it into the house.” – Won Cho, Architect
The new design required taking 2660 Skywin down to the studs. From this point, the just under 9,500 square foot lot was thoroughly transformed.
The resultant design forced the contemporary minimalist home skyward, so to speak, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering incredible views of Los Angeles. Cho said he had been pleasantly surprised that Asian design influences prevailed in the multi-level, multi-roof structure.
“I was born in South Korea, but I didn’t know that I subconsciously had Asian style in mind.” – Won Cho, Architect
Photo courtesy: ANDStudio
Cho saw the potential in creating multiple levels with separate roofs. Major deck access was implemented to maximize the stunning views from the property.
The main living space is on the upper level to take advantage of the views and to communicate most with the outdoor living space.
Windows flood in natural light increasing the effect of the panorama.
The kitchen is exquisite and gourmet-ready. Kitchen cabinets by Italian cabinet maker, Mass Beverly.
Miele gas cooktop, (2) dishwashers, convection oven, steam oven, and Subzero freezer and refrigerator.
And there’s a Waupaca dumbwaiter that ought to be plenty useful when entertaining.
The outdoor great room and kitchen extend the interior.
That’s a Danver Stainless Outdoor Kitchen outfitted with a Viking BBQ Grille, Burner and Refrigerator in case you’re keeping score.
And in a crowning achievement of design, the private master suite and spa quality bath.
A walk-in closet and direct access to the master balcony are featured here.
Cabinetry by Mass Beverly.
Art as living.
The first level holds 3 additional bedrooms.
A game room for indoor entertainment.
And an office with its own covered patio retreat.
2660 Skywin stands in a neighborhood where pride of ownership is rivaled only by the desire to preserve the area’s abundant natural resources. (Of course, you get the occasional bizarre story like the one recently about the Audi driver who drove backwards down Mulholland Drive to Laurel Canyon Blvd.)
The Laurel Canyon Association, in combination with the preservation group CLAW (Citizens for Los Angeles Wildlife), are working hard to preserve the 17 acres of pristine wilderness that still remains in the canyons, and even have a campaign called “Let’s Buy A Mountain” to help in that effort.
It’s a move that the area’s original inhabitants, the Tongva, would likely be pleased with.
View from the Charles Harper residence
View from Charles Harper's residence in Laurel Canyon toward Hollywood, courtesy of Huntington Library, 1903
View from Charles Harper's residence in Laurel Canyon toward Hollywood, courtesy of Huntington Library, 1903
When developer Charles Spencer Mann began developing the area as a tourist attraction and vacation destination away from the hubbub of the main city drag, he knew what he was doing. The area boasted abundant water, acres of banana, apricot, lemon, and other trees, and of course, unparalleled views.
Ad for land in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles Herald, February 13, 1896
Los Angeles Herald, April 12, 1908
Laurel Canyon was the first mountain subdivision in the LA area, a 250-acre subdivision that Mann made available for sale in 1907. Mann called a desirable section of the area “Bungalow Land,” attempting to lure vacationers and the like from the high prices and hassle of Beverly Hills and Hollywood. According to a 1931 copy of the San Bernardino County Sun, Mann sold these lots for $50-$300 for $10 down and $10 monthly. (Can you imagine?) He built the nation’s first trackless trolley to ease the trip for prospective buyers.
Things haven’t changed much in LA since 1921, courtesy of Los Angeles Herald
Slowly, a community began to form in the canyons. Mann built Laurel Tavern to cater to the visitors’ dining and adult beverage needs.
But it was the 60s-70s rocker area for which Laurel Canyon became truly known. From the likes of Carole King to Jim Morrison to Frank Zappa, and the infamous Wonderland Murders that happened in 1981, the canyon was visited by some of the world’s most illustrious (and dangerous) people.
In Michael Walker’s book Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock’s Legendary Neighborhood, he writes “The musicians flocking to the canyon—at night caterwauling coyotes and hooting owls made you marvel that you were only five minutes from the noise and neon of the Sunset Strip—constituted an unprecedented breed of incipient celebrity: the rocker hippie.”
2660 Skywin modern design is in good company. Not only are there numerous modern structures in Laurel Canyon, 2660 Skywin is just a mile from the Skyline Drive home that mega-star/musician Pharrell Williams purchased a couple of years ago for a cool 7 mill. Designed by Belzberg Architects, this stunning 1.5 acre property looks like something straight out of the Jetsons, with a folded plate roof and wall-to-wall glass windows.
“Every project I face challenges,” said Cho. “Through the difficulties, I learn.”
“The house came out better than my expectations.” – Won Cho
2660 Skywin’s majestic canyon views are unmatched by any other location in the city. It’s these views and the comfort of living in a neighborhood where residents really invest in preserving all the great attributes of the area that keep families like the one that once lived at 2660 Skywin around for so long. It’s worth braving the winding, narrow streets for the peace of mind that comes with living in, well, peace.
All in all, though Laurel Canyon is a far cry away from its more bohemian, proletariat days of yore, where rockers would hole up together in an old bungalow and create art, it still retains much of the charm from that era.
