Gavin Cater
The Van Dekker House is recognized as Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 974 and is among the more significant residential works tied to Southern California’s early modernist movement. Completed in 1940 by architect R.M. Schindler, the gated four-bedroom, four-bathroom home in Woodland Hills has been listed for $4.5 million.
The residence was designed for actor Albert Van Dekker and his family and reflects many of the ideas that shaped Schindler’s Los Angeles work: indoor-outdoor flow, expressive geometry, built-in furnishings, and a careful use of light, wood, stone, and glass. It’s his largest known residential project.
Gavin Cater
Schindler, who was born in Vienna and later worked for Frank Lloyd Wright, arrived in Los Angeles in 1920 to oversee construction of Hollyhock House, his first project in the city. By the early 1920s, he had established his own practice there, where his residential work helped push modern architecture in a more experimental direction.
Gavin Cater
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Inside the Van Dekker House, the great room serves as the center of the home, with wood-beamed ceilings, clerestory windows, irregularly shaped glass, and a stone-and-copper fireplace. Mountain and valley views extend the space outward.
Gavin Cater
The home also includes a formal dining room, a billiard or games room with a wine cellar, and a den or office. The top-floor primary suite takes advantage of the elevated setting with panoramic views, along with a private gym and remodeled bath. Throughout the interiors, original built-ins and natural materials add warmth and architectural sophistication.
Gavin Cater
Outside, decks surrounded by mature landscaping offer space to take in the views, while a saltwater pool, waterfall spa, and fire pit create central areas for hosting gatherings.
Gavin Cater
One of the home’s most distinctive features is its asymmetrical copper-paneled roof, which is the only known example of a Schindler design with that kind of roof. The property had previously fallen into serious disrepair before successive owners restored and rehabilitated the house, including repair work to the roof, windows, built-ins, and other original features.
Gavin Cater
The current offering also includes contemporary updates, such as upgraded major systems and solar panels. Additional features include a detached office with a second kitchen and laundry space, along with a driveway that can accommodate up to eight vehicles. The home also comes with a Mills Act contract, which may offer property tax benefits for preservation-minded owners.
Gavin Cater
The Van Dekker House also carries a Hollywood connection beyond its original owner. The home was later owned by screenwriter A.I. “Buzz” Bezzerides and was visited by figures including Humphrey Bogart, Robert Mitchum, and William Faulkner.
Listed by Benjamin Kahle of Compass and Desiree Zuckerman of Rodeo Realty, the Van Dekker House presents an opportunity to own a restored Schindler residence and one of Woodland Hills’ earliest significant modernist homes.
