Celebrity Style
April 17, 2023
Brad Pitt Buys A Mid-Century House From An Heiress
Actor Brad Pitt is a bona fide architecture aficionado: last year he paid $40 million USD for the landmark D.L. James house in California’s Carmel Highlands, which has reportedly become his main residence. But his latest real estate coup, the 2,092-square-foot, L-shaped property known as the “Steel House,” is decidedly more compact, comprising of three bedrooms and 1.75 bathrooms. Click through to see what drew Brad in.
Although the house doesn’t have a famous architectural name attached to it, it’s got a classic mid-century modern soul. According to Dirt.com, Brad recently bought the snug pavilion in the foothills of L.A.’s Los Feliz from oil heiress Aileen Getty for $5.5 million USD.
Built in 1960, the house designed by little-known mid-century architect Neil M. Johnson, who was inspired by Case Study Houses. Dubbed Steel House (because it’s largely made of steel and glass) shares the iconic rectangular roofline emblematic of that era.
A hanging fireplace in mod white is a groovy touch in the open-concept combo living/dining room. A cozy terrace has views over the tropical landscaping to the twinkling city lights below.
The house is like a clean white canvas, with MCM flavor provided by an open-webbed joist ceiling and pale terrazzo floors.
A floating set of upper cabinets acts as a casual divider, visually separating the kitchen from the dining area.
Custom cabinetry is painted an icy pale blue and has a sleek, clean profile with a pass-through to allow natural light to stream in.
Eating in the dining room is a tree-house like experience.
All three of the home’s bedrooms feature striking cobalt blue carpeting.
Custom blue cabinetry is repeated in the bathroom to tie back to the kitchen millwork.
Built-in shelving was often used in Case Study Houses to maximize space.
One of the guest bedrooms has been converted into sitting/reading room, complete with cool, period bookshelves.
The L-shaped house partially wraps itself around a sunny backyard, so most of the rooms overlook the pool and patio area. Mid-century fanatics will appreciate this home’s open plan, simple volumes and panoramic windows with steel frames.
Room shots by Simon Berlyn; portrait courtesy Instgram