An astonishing piece of Los Angeles real estate history is up for grabs as the personal home of acclaimed architect Martin Gelber, FAIA, has been listed for $3.75 million.
The 3,707-square-foot late modern masterpiece is located in the Crestwood Hills neighborhood of Brentwood, CA, boasting beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding wild canyon, city, and Pacific Ocean.
The estate has had trouble landing a buyer. It was initially listed at $5.99 million in June 2025 before being removed in October. It was relisted at $4,395,000 in March 2026 and removed once more before its current listing at $3.75 million.
A North Hollywood native, Gelber attended the USC School of Architecture, where he studied under famed modernist A. Quincy Jones, and was later mentored by Richard Neutra. Gelber died in 2019.
The path was not without obstacles, but Gelber was determined to make it as an architect even as a youth, when, according to Cultured Magazine, a high school drafting teacher asserted his dyslexia would prevent him from succeeding in the field.
Gelber would later go on to accomplish a 45-year teaching career at Los Angeles Pierce College. He also served as president of the American Institute of Architects’ L.A. chapter and championed historical preservation.
Completed in 1978, the four-bedroom, three-bathroom Gelber Residence was ahead of its time with its sustainability. Its innovative passive solar design features an exterior with clean angular lines otherwise known as “fins”—a design feature intended to keep the home cool in the summer, yet warm in the winter.
“The property was certified as the first passive solar house in California,” the listing reads. “In keeping with the sustainable energy-saving properties, the house is also designed to catch cross breezes. Indoors and out, the openness and quiet extends in all directions.”
Upon entering the home, which is listed by Andrea Miller of Sotheby’s International Realty—Brentwood Brokerage, visitors are welcomed by stunning natural light, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the space.
In an interview with Cultured Magazine, the architect’s wife, Michela Gelber, a psychiatrist, added color to the home’s storied past. The couple worked together in the abode, with Michela seeing patients in her office while Martin created in his studio, just to the right of the entrance.
“Martin believed that you could build a house that was functional and ecological, but also very beautiful,” Michela shared.
To the left of the entrance is a hybrid den/bedroom space, a bathroom, and the primary bedroom, which features a fireplace and unforgettable views.
A statement staircase—marked by its unique oculus—leads down to a guest bedroom that conveniently has its own entrance. Just around the corner is a series of spaces perfectly primed for hosting: a dining room, living room, conversation area, wet bar, and well-lit galley kitchen with granite countertops.
“We hosted up to 200 people at our parties, but because of the decks and the way the house was designed, it never really felt crowded,” she explained.
The property also holds some unfortunate memories. It was nearly destroyed by the 2019 Getty Fire, taking on smoke and fire damage just before Martin’s death. In the aftermath, Michela made sure the home was restored to its original form. However, she did not move back once the project was complete, citing “too many memories.”
Throughout the home, there’s ample storage thanks to open shelving and the custom-made cabinetry. Another stunning feature is the property’s 18-foot clear heart redwood ceilings, which serve as a warm contrast against the sleek, clean lines of the modernist aesthetic.
Pops of color also flourish through two of the home’s bathrooms—one boasts gorgeous tiles in varying shades of royal blue from the floor to the ceiling, while another captivates with bright orange.
The property’s spacious lot includes a backyard that “offers space suitable for a pool or other uses,” the listing notes.
While the home’s striking architecture makes a bold statement throughout, the unfinished basement offers a blank canvas for creative personalization.
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