Rudolph Schindler's Lovell Beach House Lists For $18.8 Million

The Lovell Beach House in Newport Beach, designed by Austrian architect Rudolph Schindler, is for sale for $18.8 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. This marks the first time the property has been publicly listed since its completion in 1926.

Commissioned by Dr. Philip and Leah Lovell, the house is considered a foundational work of modern architecture in Southern California and the United States. Dr. Lovell, an eccentric naturopath and Los Angeles Times health columnist, advocated for a lifestyle that included nudism, sunbathing, and vegetarianism. His progressive ideas influenced Schindler's design, which emphasized natural light, fresh air, and a connection to the coastal environment, according to LAmag.

The 2,741-square-foot residence sits on a 3,734-square-foot corner lot at 1242 West Ocean Front on Newport Beach's Balboa Peninsula. It features four bedrooms and four bathrooms, and is elevated above the sand on five reinforced concrete frames. Original design elements, such as a double-height living room, custom shelving, and a built-in sofa, remain intact, according to the listing. The house also includes a communal shower with five showerheads.

Schindler, who came to Los Angeles to work on Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House, was called back to the Lovell Beach House four years after its construction to enclose outdoor sleeping porches that proved too cold due to Newport Beach's fog. The home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and has remained in the Lovell family for three generations. The listing is co-listed by Todd Bousman of bouHAUS Properties and Nate Cole of Modern California House, and is presented at thelovellbeachhouse.com.

This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of architectural history that shaped the modern aesthetic of Southern California. For those who appreciate design and a unique story, it's worth a look.