Designed in 1948 by John Lautner, one of California’s most distinctive architectural voices, the house was considered “lost” for decades—known only through an archival model that was photographed and stored at the Getty.
That changed in 2014, when the home returned to the market for the first time in 65 years, sparking curiosity and disbelief in the design world. Among those fascinated by the news were fashion designer Trina Turk and her husband, photographer Jonathan Skow, who immediately recognized the significance of the find.
What others dismissed as a costly demolition, they saw as an irreplaceable piece of Californian modernism ready to be reborn.
Now listed for $2,395,000 Together with Brian Linder, AIA and Mark H. Mendez of Compass, the residence represents a fully rehabilitated example of Lautner’s early work – historically anchored, carefully updated and protected for generations to come.
An early Lautner design that remained hidden in plain sight for decades
The Jules Salkin Residence was designed during Lautner’s early career, shortly after his six-year internship with Frank Lloyd Wright.
The influences are unmistakable: a compact footprint, horizontal expression, redwood siding and a sleek material palette all reflect Wright’s principles of the Usonian home.
But even at this stage, Lautner was already pushing boundaries. His interest in dramatic geometries, unconventional rooflines and structural boldness is evident in the house’s expressive form – elements that would later define his mature work.
Quietly unnoticed until 2014
Yet all this was not common knowledge for more than half a century.
The house remained privately owned by the original family. Without published photographs or academic documentation, it essentially went unnoticed until the 2014 sale brought it back into the architectural discussion.
A designer’s eye for rediscovery
When the listing appeared, accompanied by a Curbed article Referencing the Getty model, it quickly caught the attention of architects, conservationists and curious onlookers.
Turk and Skow attended the broker’s opening, saw past the deterioration and understood the significance of the structure beneath the wear and tear. Their perspective was rare: where many saw a problem, they saw an architectural opportunity.
Recognizing the rarity of a newly discovered Lautner, they quickly moved to acquire it.
Followed by a meticulously researched rehabilitation
To restore the home’s original intent, Turk worked with architect Barbara Bestor, FAIA, whose reputation for thoughtful, historically sensitive work made her a natural fit. Their process began with extensive research, including original drawings, archival materials and historical documentation.
The rehabilitation became both an academic project and a construction effort. Every move was measured against Lautner’s ideas rather than contemporary reinterpretation.
That removed unnecessary additions that did not match the original
Unsympathetic additions were withdrawn until the original structure could be understood again. Bestor and Turk then began the careful work of reconstruction: reviving what had been lost and correcting what had changed.
Re-creation of Lautner’s design language
The main architectural features of the house were restored or rebuilt, returning the structure to its clarity. Elements revived with historical accuracy include:
- Corner glazing with butt glazing, rebuilt using archive references
- Chimney and fireplace profiles corrected to match Lautner’s intended geometry
- Restored redwood siding, returned to its original board and batten expression
- Seven pairs of Douglas fir timbers form the home’s distinctive triangular structural backbone
- Cherokee red concrete floors, retained rather than replaced
These efforts restored the house’s architectural identity and brought its dramatic geometry back into focus.
A roofline that defines the entire experience
The most striking feature remains the inverted triangular half-timbered roof, supported by the sloping Douglas fir timbers. The shape pulls the ceiling upward at the edge, creating a floating effect that opens the space to the landscape.
Because there is so little structural need at the edges, glass walls and sliding doors form much of the perimeter, merging the interior space with the canyon environment. This kind of structural experimentation – light at the edges, mass in the center – foreshadows much of Lautner’s later work.
Contemporary updates that remain respectfully quiet
While the restoration focused on accuracy, the house still had to function in the present. Bestor introduced contemporary finishes only where necessary, and always with restraint.
The kitchen and bathrooms received the major updates, with materials chosen to harmonize rather than compete. Black phenolic resin countertops, handmade ceramic tiles and modern built-ins stand out discreetly against the restored mid-century surfaces.
These accents ensure livability while Lautner’s architectural voice remains dominant.
Panoramic views over Echo Park and beyond
Unusual for a home of this size, the residence occupies more than a third of an acre in the hills of Echo Park. The site offers beautiful views over green canyons and towards the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica.
The home’s geometry and glazing take full advantage of the vantage point, allowing natural light and long sight lines to define much of the indoor experience.
A protected piece of architectural history
The house bears the designation Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 1111, confirming its status as an important part of the city’s architectural fabric.
Turk has further secured a registered easement with the LA Conservancy, meaning the home’s interior and exterior architecture are permanently protected. Future owners inherit not only the house, but also its responsibility and legacy.
Depending on the new owner’s plans, the home may also qualify for a Mills Act application, potentially providing significant property tax savings while supporting continued preservation.
An award-winning restoration with national recognition
The hard work paid off. In 2018, the project received the LA Conservancy Preservation Award, honoring the rigor and depth of the rehabilitation. The New York Times profiled the building as the resurrection of “the long-lost Lautner,” cementing its position as one of California’s most compelling architectural rediscoveries.
Now, for the first time since its revival, the house will be available to a new steward – someone who wants not just a home, but a real piece of Los Angeles architectural history.
More stories
Inside the only Case Study home of Richard Neutra, with ties to The Simpsons and a global fashion empire
Inside the Lechner House, a beautifully restored piece of LA design history
A Lloyd Wright-designed home in Glendale is home to ancient Mayan temples
#Fashion #designer #Trina #Turk #lists #John #Lautners #longlost #home #LAs #Echo #Park