Landmark Home In Santa Monica Exemplifies The Craftsman Style

streaming lights cross over a fire pit in the backyard of a Santa Monica Craftsman-style home at 405 Palisades Ave
This official Santa Monica Landmark located at 405 Palisades Ave has earned esteemed Mills Act historic status. (Hilton & Hyland)

Craftsman homes from the early 20th century are a revered part of California’s architectural history. Examples of the domestic style, which grew out of the international Arts and Crafts movement, can be found throughout the L.A. area.

The Craftsman home on Palisades Avenue is a designated Santa Monica landmark.

The Craftsman home on Palisades Avenue is a Santa Monica historic landmark. (Hilton & Hyland)

Built about 1912, this wood-framed Craftsman in Santa Monica has the distinction of being a contributing structure to the Palisades Tract Historic District. As such, the landmark home earned Mills Act historic status and receives the accompanying property tax savings.

The two-story corner-lot home is set on a street filled with other protected residences including one designed by famed Craftsman architects Greene and Greene.

The first floor of the south-facing house is covered in horizontal clapboard siding. Above that are wood shingles.

The wood-frame two-story opens to a back patio.

The wood-frame two-story opens to a back patio. (Hilton & Hyland)

In keeping with the style, the cross-gable roof features exposed rafter tails. Mature trees, hedges and lawn soften the asymmetrical façade.

Concrete steps lead up to the wide recessed front porch, another hallmark of the Craftsman style. Four square brick columns support the porch roof. Side lights frame the front door.

The interior details and woodwork have been retained while modern updates have been carefully incorporated.

The wood-beam ceiling in the living room draws the eye to the fireplace.

The entry hall and living room retain its extensive woodwork. (Hilton & Hyland)

A living room with a tile-fronted fireplace sits off the entry hall. The living room connects to a library with built-ins and a bay window. A light-filled sunroom sits beyond.

The dining room, which sits off the other side of the entry hall, features wood ceiling beams and wainscoting.

The kitchen, with white cabinetry and a white subway tile backsplash, centers on a butcher-block island with prep and eat-at space. A bay window with leaded-glass transom windows overlooks the yard.

A bay window creates a spot for reading in the library.

A bay window creates a spot for reading in the library. (Hilton & Hyland)

The primary suite features a balcony, a walk-in closet, skylights and a spa-inspired bathroom. A spiral staircase leads to a loft sitting area.

A two-room guest wing has a separate entrance for a total of six bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Storage space is available in the basement, the attic and the three-car garage, which is not subject to the landmark designation and could be converted.

A swimming pool and a fire pit are among the backyard features.

A swimming pool and a fire pit are among the backyard amenities. (Hilton & Hyland)

The spacious backyard contains an outdoor kitchen with a barbecue, a patio with a fire pit and a bocce ball court. The swimming pool has a hot tub and a waterfall feature. Avocado, fig and citrus trees complete the grounds.

David Kramer and Andrew Buss of Hilton & Hyland are the listing agents for 405 Palisades Ave., Santa Monica. The asking price is US $12.499 million.

The property is near Palisades Park, beaches, restaurants and shops. Los Angeles International Airport is about 14.5 miles away.

Author

During four decades of covering luxury and celebrity housing, I’ve looked into people’s homes, lives and property records through many lenses. I was the Los Angeles Times Real Estate section editor for eight years, the Hot Property columnist for six and did stints as a newspaper reporter, copy editor and page designer. My work for The Times Business, Home and Real Estate sections has garnered in-house and national awards for blogging, editing and feature writing.

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