Editor’s Note
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2014 when the Nesbitt House was listed for sale. It has been updated in 2025 to highlight the home’s lasting architectural significance and Richard Neutra’s enduring influence on Los Angeles modernism.
Sold for about $7m in 2014 and worth around $11m today
Address: 414 Avondale Ave, Brentwood
3443 Square feet - 3 bedrooms, 5 baths
Designed by world-renowned modernist architect Richard Neutra, this home was originally built in 1942 for NBC radio producer John Nesbitt. Restored & renovated by acclaimed designer Barbara Barry & Architect David Serrurier, a master bedroom was added to the main structure & two bedrooms were added to the guest house, adding space and function while honoring Neutra's vision and style. Designed with total integrity channeling Neutra's sensibilities and humble materials, a harmony of light, colors and textures are combined to create a tranquil indoor-outdoor living space with the main house opening to mature garden. Situated on over a 1/2 acre flat lot, the grounds are lush with tropical plants & gardens to enhance the many water features that exist on the property, creating an oasis, while still centrally located to local shops, restaurants and community.
Architectural Significance
The Nesbitt House was conceived at a pivotal moment in Neutra’s career, blending the sleek efficiency of his early International Style projects with the warmth of natural materials. The house earned an AIA award for embodying “urban sophistication and cultural refinement expressed in terms of rustic simplicity.”
Design Features
Materials: un-mortared brick, redwood board-and-batten siding, glass expanses, exposed beams.
Signature Element: a serpentine brick wall dividing the main residence from a studio/guest house.
Indoor–Outdoor Connection: a lily pond flows beneath the glass living room wall, creating a living tableau of water, light, and landscape.
Guest/Studio Building: designed for flexibility, including a studio, bedroom, kitchenette, and baths—foreshadowing today’s interest in ADUs and flexible live/work spaces.
Lifestyle Relevance Today
What makes the Nesbitt House evergreen is its alignment with modern buyer preferences:
Seamless indoor-outdoor living for entertaining and relaxation.
Flexible secondary structure perfect for work-from-home or multigenerational use.
Architectural pedigree that adds enduring value in a city where design is currency.
Restoration & Legacy
The home has been carefully restored in recent decades by Barbara Barry and architect David Serrurier, preserving Neutra’s original vision while updating it for modern living. Today it stands as a model for how historic architecture can remain both livable and relevant.
Architecturally significant homes like the Nesbitt House rarely come to market, but their influence can be felt across Los Angeles. If you’re searching for a modernist home—or want to learn more about architectural properties in Brentwood and beyond—contact me.