Description
Franz Lederer Hacienda and Ranch. LA Cultural Historic Monument 204. Quietly, the gate opens to a shaded lane which quickly leads to another time, another setting, a California rancho set apart from the bustle and care of the city below, the Franz Lederer Hacienda. Originally formed from an original Spanish land grant, the estate consisted of 270 acres of fertile farmland near the headwaters of the Los Angeles River. The lane continues up to a flat parking overlook with the West San Fernando Valley below and Santa Monica Mountains in the near distance.Crowning the 6.7 acre knoll is the monastery-mission style home begun by Lederer in 1934. With his designer John R. Litke, Lederer intended the design to mimic the style of California Missions San Luis Rey and Santa Ynez and to house his growing collection of art and furnishings from the 14th to 19th centuries. As a true hacienda, the main house encompasses a brick-paved courtyard with galleries on three sides. This forms the entry and circulation to all the interior rooms which open to it..Pass through the courtyard with its splashing fountain. Let the living room welcome you with its vaulted heavy-beam ceiling and specially made Spanish flooring. Three large arched windows and massive hearth anchor this one-thousand square foot room which flows in two directions to the wings of the residence. To the west enter the generous dining room which Architectural Digest characterized as "rustic splendor" mixing "the ornate with the simple and the rugged with the intricate." The wing continues by accessing the dining terrace, the eat-in kitchen, and two bedrooms with ensuite baths. A magnificent stained-glass window beckons to the east wing with its informal den-pub room replete with banquette & bar. Pass the third bedroom with bath and proceed to the magnificent library with its Gothic fireplace and ancient books, codices and maps.Nearby, on the westerly slope is the two-unit guest house, totally comprising three bedrooms, loft, and a terrace or patio. Each unit maintains complete privacy from the main residence.Throughout the hacienda 35 pairs of Spanish doors lead to an adjacent room, a courtyard, terrace or garden. Most rooms feature a hearth as focus, antique floor tiles from Spain and Portugal, beamed ceilings, and white-washed, rough-brick walls. The artwork, sculpture, friezes, and ceramics create an adventure into the past. Because these details permeate the hacienda in various forms of attachment, some remain and some are negotiable separately. All the exterior walls, using stone quarried from the site, the imported tilework, interior surfaces were chosen to re-create the image of Alta California.The entire property consists of four lots serviced by the private road as it meanders through pasture land, separate guest quarters, quarry and gardens. Two of the lower flanking parcels are serviced by city streets, available for greater residential density and provide an excellent opportunity for further development, or keep as a one of a kind private historical estate. In 2000, the entire estate was earthquake reinforced and brought up to current codes at an investment of millions. A thoroughly viable, modern residence but faithful to the spirit of Old California. Two cows still remain on the property, fittingly, a possible weekend horse ranch. Sale includes 4 parcel numbers: 2026-001-007,2026-001-131,2027-006-009, 2027-006-010. Home on parcel 2026-001-007 is a protected landmark and must be preserved. The 2-unit guest house assessor shows as 2,092 sqft which would be in addition to the 4,796 main home.
