The Kappe house on Brooktree Road is for sale.
By BERNICE FOX
The home on Brooktree Road in Rustic Canyon that was designed and built by noted Mid-Century Modern architect Ray Kappe is on the market for 11.5 million. The five-bedroom, five-bathroom structure has been described as both an “essay and poem.”
This home was designed and owned by Kappe, who passed away in 2019 at age 92, and is still in the Kappe family. The L.A. Times described it as “The Greatest house in Southern California,” and it was designated as a Cultural Historical Monument in 1996.
The residence has been described as a master class in the “additive process of design,” and embraces the surrounding landscape of Rustic Canyon.
Kappe bought the property, which was considered almost unbuildable in 1962 for $17,000. The house is seven split levels and 4,157 square feet. The house has redwood ceilings and redwood detailing that is combined with walls of glass and massive skylights. The house receives direct, indirect and dabbled light from sunrise to sunset.
A primary suite anchors the northeast wing, and three additional bedrooms are on the southwest wing. Below the main living area lies a glass walled studio with views of the rock garden.
There are four unique outdoor spaces, including a cantilevered deck, a lap pool, spa, sauna and cabana with additional kitchen and bath. This property will be shown only to pre-qualified buyers.
An interior view of the Kappe House.
Kappe was born in 1927 in Minneapolis to Romanian immigrant parents who changed the family name from Kapelowitz to Kappe. In 1940, the family moved to Los Angeles, where he attended Emerson Middle School designed by Richard Neutra. Years later, in 1987, Kappe received the Richard Neutra International Medal for Design Excellence.
Kappe graduated from UC Berkeley in 1951 and then worked as a draftsman on Eichler Homes for Anshen+Allen. He then moved back to LA to work two years with Carl Maston before going out on his own. (To see homes designed by Kappe click here.