Drought-tolerant landscaping and dramatic uplighting frame the approach to this 1961 Chapman & McCorkell design.
11534 Laurelcrest Drive, Studio City, CA 91604
At the end of a Studio City cul-de-sac sits one of only five homes built for a 1961 USC Case Study project by Chapman and McCorkell. Most experimental midcentury projects in Los Angeles were either demolished or gutted beyond recognition. This one was restored correctly.
Priced at $1,995,000, the three-bedroom, three-bath residence spans 2,209 square feet and represents something increasingly difficult to find: architectural lineage paired with intelligent modernization.
Why the Architecture Matters
Post-and-beam construction freed midcentury architects from load-bearing walls. Structure became skeleton. Walls became glass. The result was light, openness, and direct access to landscape—the defining characteristics of Southern California living.
The dramatic two-story glazing is original to the 1961 design—post-and-beam construction freed the walls to become glass.
At Laurelcrest, dramatic two-story windows frame jetliner views of the San Fernando Valley. Structural lines are clean and expressive. The design is honest in a way that feels foreign to most new construction.
Post-and-beam structure allows for uninterrupted San Fernando Valley views and the open flow that defines California midcentury living.
The USC Case Study connection is more than historical footnote. These projects were laboratories for livability, testing how modern homes could respond to climate, topography, and the way people actually live. That DNA is embedded here—in the sightlines, the flow, the relationship between interior and exterior.
What Was Preserved
The restoration shows restraint:
Original maple hardwood floors run throughout. Period lighting fixtures remain in place. A two-sided fireplace anchors the living spaces. Double-height glazing reinforces the vertical drama without feeling like a renovation trying too hard.
Nothing was erased. Nothing was overdone.
The guest suite features horizontal windows that frame 180-degree valley vistas—a private perch above the city.
What Was Upgraded
The kitchen renovation pairs fireclay tile with Bosch appliances and a waterfall island—contemporary but not stylistically combative. The home also received a newer roof, updated electrical panel, new HVAC, extensive solar, EV charging, and IBHS wildfire certification following mitigation by Madronus Wildfire Defense.
Heated lap pool with resistance swim jet, surrounded by sustainable, drought-tolerant landscaping.
In the Studio City hills, wildfire certification isn't cosmetic. It's structural insurance.
Upstairs, three light-filled bedrooms open to panoramic valley views. The primary suite connects to an expansive deck with 180-degree vistas—a private platform above the city. Outside, a heated lap pool with resistance swim jet sits within drought-tolerant landscaping designed for low water use.
The Location Calculus
Set at the end of a quiet Studio City cul-de-sac, the home balances privacy with accessibility.
Laurelcrest Drive sits in one of Studio City's most desirable hillside pockets—a neighborhood known for its architectural significance and lifestyle appeal.
It’s minutes to Ventura Boulevard, close to Fryman Canyon trails, near the Studio City Farmers Market, and zoned for award-winning schools.
The equation here is privacy plus accessibility. It's a formula that consistently draws buyers who want nature without isolation.
The renovated kitchen pairs fireclay tile with Bosch appliances—contemporary upgrades that respect the architectural integrity.
Who This Is For
Not everyone.
This home attracts buyers who value architectural provenance over new-build minimalism, who understand the difference between renovation and reinvention, and who want sustainability built into the foundation of their investment. These are people who care about views but won't sacrifice neighborhood character to get them.
There's a specific psychology around homes like this. It's not driven by square footage.
For more on what makes Studio City's hillside midcentury homes so compelling to design-forward buyers, see our guide to selling view homes in this neighborhood.
If you own a midcentury home in Studio City and are considering selling, understanding what today's design-forward buyers value is essential to positioning your property correctly.
The Details
Address: 11534 Laurelcrest Drive, Studio City, CA 91604
Price: $1,995,000
MLS#: 26649159
Year Built: 1961
Style: Midcentury Post-and-Beam
Bedrooms: 3 | Bathrooms: 3
Interior: 2,209 sq ft | Lot: 7,273 sq ft
Pool: Heated lap pool with resistance jet
Views: 180-degree San Fernando Valley panorama
Solar + EV Charging: Included
Wildfire Certified: IBHS certified
The restoration respected the era without erasing it—original details remain intact.
Why It Matters Now
Los Angeles midcentury homes were designed around climate, landscape, and light. Many have since been stripped or demolished. When one surfaces with preserved original details, architectural pedigree, thoughtful updates, and sustainability improvements, it becomes more than a listing.
It becomes evidence that modernization and preservation aren't opposing forces—they're the same project done right.
The expansive primary suite deck offers 180-degree panoramic views above the Studio City hills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a USC Case Study home?
USC Case Study homes were experimental residential projects commissioned by the University of Southern California in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Unlike the more famous Arts & Architecture Case Study House program, the USC projects focused specifically on post-and-beam construction techniques and testing innovative approaches to Southern California living. Only five homes were built by Chapman and McCorkell in 1961, making 11534 Laurelcrest Drive architecturally significant.
Original maple hardwood floors and period lighting fixtures were carefully preserved during restoration.
What is post-and-beam construction?
Post-and-beam construction uses vertical posts and horizontal beams to carry structural loads, eliminating the need for load-bearing walls. This technique allowed midcentury architects to create open floor plans and install floor-to-ceiling glass walls without compromising structural integrity. The method became synonymous with California modernism in the 1950s and 60s.
Why does wildfire certification matter for hillside homes?
IBHS (Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety) wildfire certification means the property has undergone specific mitigation measures—including defensible space creation, ember-resistant vents, and fire-rated materials—that significantly reduce wildfire risk. In Los Angeles hillside communities like Studio City, this certification can affect insurance availability, premiums, and resale value.
Are midcentury homes energy efficient?
One of only five USC Case Study homes built by Chapman & McCorkell in 1961.
Original midcentury homes often weren't built with energy efficiency in mind—large glass walls can create heating and cooling challenges. However, when properly upgraded with modern HVAC systems, solar panels, and smart thermostats (as this home has been), post-and-beam homes can achieve excellent energy performance while maintaining their architectural character.
What makes Chapman and McCorkell architecturally significant?
Chapman and McCorkell were part of the post-war generation of Los Angeles architects who embraced modernist principles while adapting them to Southern California's climate and lifestyle. Their USC Case Study project represented an academic exploration of residential architecture at a time when Los Angeles was becoming a laboratory for modern living. Their work is studied in architectural programs and collected by preservation-minded buyers.