Remember hard-drinking, chain-smoking NYC ad executive Don Draper from Mad Men? Imagine if he left that dark past in NYC and made a fresh start in sunny, beautiful, healthy southern California – if he did, he would choose this stunning 5 bedroom 5 bath Mid-Century Modern (MCM) executive home in tranquil Rancho Palos Verdes: 19 Martingale Drive.
Situated the award-winning Palos Verdes Unified School District, this MCM home harkens to an American design movement in interior, product, graphic design, architecture, and urban development that was popular from roughly 1945 to 1969, during the post World War II period. The term MCM was used descriptively as early as the mid-1950s and was defined as a design movement by Cara Greenberg in her 1984 book Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s. It is now recognized by scholars and museums worldwide as a significant design movement. The MCM design aesthetic is modern in style and construction, aligned with the Modernist movement of the period. It is typically characterized by clean, simple lines and honest use of materials. This style was employed in residential structures with the goal of bringing modernism into America’s post-war suburbs.
You can now experience and live in that exciting piece of architectural style and history at the very grand 19 Martingale Drive! More than just an MCM style home in the middle of a city – this mansion is perched in an exclusive enclave where it maximizes its unique location to gain unobstructed, panoramic canyon views from each room. Each of its two levels has an entire length wrap-around balcony with access from almost every room.
But let’s start as you walk in the front door. True to the style, the front door is an oversized modern front door that makes a grand entry into the foyer. As you enter, your eyes are drawn to the large open great room and the ample windows and natural light coming in from the breathtaking canyon views. True to form, this MCM utilized then-groundbreaking post and beam architectural design that eliminated bulky support walls in favor of walls seemingly made of glass. At this same time, this stunning look is purely functional and serves the American family then and now. The wrap around porch takes out outdoors to enjoy all the beauty of California native plants and birds living in the wilderness of a lush green canyon. On the one side of this main floor you have the expansive master suite, just off the living room. On the other side toward the dining room, you have a light and bright kitchen which also has an eating area. To finish the main floor, there is a powder room for guests.
Stairs take you down the second level which is the lower level, where you will find a large den/family room with bar and fireplace, and here there are 4 other bedrooms and 4 baths and a sauna. Luxury is at its best here as you can see another wrap around porch that can be accessed by all the rooms. This is a stunning piece of architecture that can also double as someone’s fantastic home to make your own.
Want to see it in person? Please do come to our open houses at the following times!
Friday April 1, 2 pm to 5 pm
Saturday April 2, 1 pm to 4 pm
Don’t miss this!
And call or email for more info.
This home is offered for $2,500,000.
Nancy Deprez
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