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Believe It Or Not, You Can Find Richard Neutra Houses for Rent Los Angeles Architecture Buffs Would Love to Call Home

 

Featured image credit: Sansculotte

When it comes to houses for rent Los Angeles architecture buffs would adore, the supply can be pretty tight. That’s not to say we lack architectural wonders. Few other American cities can give you Spanish Colonial Revival bungalows across the street from a historically significant Craftsman home neighboring a modern brutalist masterpiece. If you don’t have the money (or commitment) to buy, then these structural studies in art are often out of your reach. But every once in a while, we’ll come across architecturally significant houses for rent Los Angeles patrons of the arts would appreciate (to say the least). And lately, throughout LA, homes designed by legendary architect Richard Neutra have been hitting the rental market. 

What’s So Special About a Neutra Home?

Photo credit: Los Angeles Times

We covered Neutra recently in our home spotlight, focusing on his experimental Neutra VDL House. But for the click-adverse, Neutra was a pioneering architect specializing in mid-century modern designs. Hallmarks of a Neutra home include spacious open floor plans, floor-to-ceiling glass facades, and liberal incorporation of natural materials. All of these served to blend the natural world with the shelter afforded by homes, a central tenet of his design philosophy. We suppose that, even with his immense talents, he figured that he couldn’t beat the splendor of nature, so he might as well try to join it. 

With many of Neutra’s remaining works becoming privately owned residences, a few are starting to show up on luxury rental sites. These Neutra houses for rent Los Angeles scholars would surely recognize offer a rare opportunity: residence within a functional piece of architectural history.

Houses for Rent Los Angeles Architecture Enthusiasts Can Get Excited About 

When browsing luxury rental listings across the city, a Neutra house is a sure stand-out. After all, Neutra made it his mission to build more than homes. Rather, he was constructing multi-faceted structures that could support a more efficient lifestyle. While Neutra left plenty of iconic properties for the public to enjoy (like the Neutra VDL facility), he also created several lesser-known private residences that pepper neighborhoods from the Hollywood Hills to the San Fernando Valley. 

Photo credit: MichaelJLocke

However, most of Neutra’s surviving homes can be found among high-demand neighborhoods like Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and the Hollywood Hills. It’s among these lesser-known but still masterfully designed homes that we’re seeing Neutra homes hitting the local luxury rental market. And the settings of these neighborhoods, offering prime walkability and scenic vistas, only enhance their already innate appeal. 

Vintage Design with State-of-the-Art Conveniences

In most cases, Neutra’s original concepts are alive and well in these rental properties, preserved through meticulous maintenance over the decades. But make no mistake: these listings don’t simply rely on pedigree in the competitive luxury market of LA. To compete with other houses for rent Los Angeles luxury enthusiasts consider, the majority of these Neutra rentals have been outfitted with modern conveniences while maintaining their uniquely historic charm. 

You can find examples that incorporate smart features, complementary furnishings, and upgraded gourmet kitchens suited to a higher quality of life. Some of these listings even include original, Neutra-designed furniture. This unique blend of vintage design and modern convenience holds particular appeal to creative professionals, design enthusiasts, or those simply demanding more from a rental property than a cookie-cutter single-family home. 

Photo credit: Tim Evanson

What to Expect When Looking for Neutra Rentals

If you want to live in a Neutra home, even short-term, you’ll have to be quick and willing to pay a hefty price. Be prepared to encounter plenty of competition when searching houses for rent Los Angeles Neutra fans would bid top dollar to lease. Just as an example, a Hollywood Hills-based Neutra home hit the local rental market in March for $32,000 a month. But these homes aren’t just rare. They’re culturally significant, which elevates them even above the loftiest luxury rentals. 

So, if you’re not trying to save money by renting, perhaps a Neutra rental home is in your future? If you’ve got several thousands of dollars to burn every month, diligently scour the listings of houses for rent Los Angeles luxury sites promote. Eventually, you’ll see a Neutra pop up. But, as we said, you’ll need to be quick. Even in this economy, listings like these don’t last. 


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