28 DIGS.NET | 6.11.2021
S W E E T D I G S | 8 3 0 L E O N A R D R O A D
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DEALLY SITUATED TO enjoy the best the
city has to offer, Brentwood exemplifies the good life in Los
Angeles. The neighborhood's shine seems to emanate from
every facet, from the gleaming late-model SUVs to the popu-
lar shopping and cafe clusters of San Vicente and Montana
Avenue. And bordered by the 405 and the 10, its access to
the rest of the city's highlights is unparalleled.
Skim along north of this lush cornucopia, swooping along
Sunset Boulevard and up Kenter Avenue, towards the Santa
Monica Mountains and past Kenter Canyon Charter School, one
of the jewels in LAUSD's crown and onto a quiet cul-de-sac.
The serene drive does nothing to prepare you for your desti-
nation—830 Leonard Drive, a spectacular example of the
mid-century modern style that flourished in Southern California
and introduced the concept of indoor-outdoor living. Its beautiful
lines, reminiscent of the architecturally significant homes found
in Los Angeles' older Eastside enclaves of Silver Lake and Los
Feliz, stand out among its more conventional neighbors, drawing
murmurs of appreciation even before you step inside.
Originally built in 1959 by self-taught architect, David Tenne-
son Rich, known for Ursa Major, the arresting Bel Air abode he
constructed for basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain, this home
has a similar language with high ceilings and skylights flooding
its rooms with California sunshine. Rich's impeccable work was
restored under the aegis of the current owners, who said, "We
wanted someone who would approach it with integrity." They
drafted architects Alice Park and Michael McDonald of Park/
McDonald, justly celebrated for their work on such gems as
John Lauter's Schaeffer House in Glendale and Frank Lloyd
Wright's La Miniatura in Pasadena, to craft a thoughtful reno-
vation that would update the home while leaving its stunning
details intact. Contractor Tom Montgomery, who also works with
shelter magazine stars Commune and Studio Shamshiri, ensured
Park/McDonald's plans were skillfully executed.
