With its midcentury design roots and a notable celebrity history, a newly listed Hollywood Hills home epitomizes the essence of Los Angeles living. Perched above the Sunset Strip, this modernist masterpiece, originally crafted by the late architect Harry Gesner, has returned to the market at a price tag of $8.4 million, represented by Levik Stephan and Anita Stephan of Hilton & Hyland. Public records indicate that the property, dating back to the 1960s, has been intermittently listed for approximately two and a half years, initially priced close to $10 million. Gesner, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 97, was commissioned to design the residence in 1960 by film producer-director Jack Haley Jr., who later married actress and entertainer Liza Minnelli in 1974. The couple resided in the home until their divorce in 1979.
The primary suites opens up to the backyard.
Nearly a quarter of a century later, in 2003, pop sensation Christina Aguilera invested $5 million in the property. During her tenure, she enlisted designer and developer Steve Hermann to renovate the glass-encased residence before passing it on in 2011 to the current owner and seller, Carsten Fischer, president of Beautyblender and former executive at Shiseido. The home encompasses four bedrooms, five-and-a-half bathrooms, and spans 6,500 square feet of living space.
The home is entered via an angled, slat-wood door.
Nestled behind a geometric gate and accessed through an angled, slat-wood door, the residence boasts an array of architectural features, including warm walnut floors, exposed-beam ceilings, and accents of marble and stone. In addition to expansive walls of glass, abundant skylights and clerestory windows flood the interiors with natural light, offering sweeping views of the ocean and the city.
The dining area overlooks the city.
Among the notable areas are the contemporary family room, featuring a sunken conversation pit adorned with custom seating and a sleek steel-faced fireplace. Adjacent to this, the chef’s kitchen boasts a central island, high-end appliances, and a cozy breakfast nook. The primary suite is designed for ultimate luxury, spanning an impressive 1,200 square feet. This opulent retreat showcases two fireplaces, a sitting area, a spacious walk-in closet, and a marble-clad ensuite bathroom. Within the bathroom, you’ll discover a standalone soaking tub, a glass-enclosed shower, and an intriguing touch: a three-sided aquarium.
A sunken conversation pit faces a steel fireplace.
The luxurious residence is brimming with additional upscale amenities, including a secluded lower level featuring a temperature-controlled wine cellar with a wet bar, alongside an 18-person screening room adorned with plush built-in seating. Outside, the backyard is adorned with a spacious swimming pool lined with azure tiles, a tranquil lagoon-style spa, a barbecue area, and an outdoor fireplace. An expansive deck serves as both an entertainment hub and a vantage point, allowing residents to fully appreciate the panoramic views.
The lower level includes an 18-seat screening room.
There are wood-paneled ceilings and stone flooring.
There’s a large, freeform swimming pool overlooking the city.