S W E E T D I G S | 3 0 6 9 C R E S T R O A D
T
he 1960s and 1970s were
a busy time for Paul Wuesthoff. As
one-half of the Los Angeles firm
Pearson & Wuesthoff, the architect
was designing big, modern cinemas
throughout Southern California and the South-
west. He also worked as a solo act, designing
custom residences throughout Los Angeles.
These were pure Mid-Century designs—care-
fully sculpted as cockpits of efficiency, ease
and earthy beauty.
There is a surviving portfolio of Wuesthoff
homes that remain in Los Angeles, all bear-
ing testament to the practitioner's faithful
adherence to the premises of the Mid-Century
Modern aesthetic: namely, twining nature with
the day-to-day business of living. Los Ange-
les provided an ideal canvas for this concept,
which was nicely executed in a 1967 home by
the architect located at 3069 Crest Road in
Rancho Palos Verdes, about 15 minutes east
of Terranea Resort.
Although it is tempting to call the 4-bedroom,
2-bathroom residence—which has been
well-preserved and sits on an impressive
one-acre lot—an experience. Commissioned by
a notable cardiologist, the property is introduced
via a long driveway that's flanked with old-growth
trees and towering green shrubs. It's a segue to
a private world that, by design, is also a place
of elegant recharge. "It's peaceful," states real
estate agent Tony Liakos. "There's a feeling of
Zen, and even people who've walked through are
like, 'Man, this place is really calming.'"
Much of it comes from the skillful way
Wuesthoff sited the home on the property. It's
a hallmark of the architect and here, the result
is a collection of terraced landscapes giving
different takes on nature and views, which
extend across verdant hills all the way to Cata-
lina Island. The water views of the harbor are
especially scenic, framed by a majestic pair of
double-trunk sequoia trees.
"There's so much usable space," Tony says
of the generous acre property. Where there's
not pleasantly wild greenery, there's a spacious
wood patio; or a stone-clad pool deck with a
relaxing spa and plenty of spots to sunbathe. A
peaceful side lawn, featuring a sprawl of mani-
cured green grass, is an ideal haven to stretch
out, play and entertain. "You could put like,
five bouncy houses out there," the agent says
with a laugh.
So optimized is the property that it satisfies a
host of different moods and scenarios—and the
house lives much larger than its approximately
3,707-square-foot measurements. "It's wonder-
ful for family and it's wonderful for entertaining,"
explains Tony. "You could literally have four or
five different parties, and no one would have
to interact. You could have one gathering on
the side yard. You could have one down to the
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