When asked to conjure up the quintessential California home, visions of stunning Mediterranean architecture, lush gardens of tropical plants and flowers, spacious light-filled rooms with French doors and windows thrown open to mountain breezes and sunlight pop into mind. 7981 Woodrow Wilson makes California dreaming a reality.
Nestled a stone’s throw away from Mulholland Drive and butting up against the Briar Summit Open Preserve, 7981 Woodrow Wilson Drive lies in a cosseted enclave of natural beauty and historic architectural significance.
Hidden behind gates in the “celebrity-popular section” of Woodrow Wilson Drive, the almost 5,000 square foot, 4 bedroom, 5.5 bath home sits on one-third of an acre in the Nichol’s Canyon area of the Hollywood Hills.
Built in 1940 on land (the Clifton Estates) owned by developer, Clifton C. Fitzpatrick, the home is surrounded by significant homes designed by architectural rockstars of the 20th Century—Rudolph Shindler, Richard Neutra, Edward H. Fickett, Buff, Straub & Hensman—to name just a few—in diverse styles from Spanish Colonial to Mid-Century modern.
Architectural photographer, Julius Shulman’s home at 7875 Woodrow Wilson Drive ca 1950 Copyright Getty Research Institute, Shulman Archive
But the area is not only “celebrity popular”, it’s also “wildlife popular” with the hills and hiking trails of the Briar Summit Open Space Preserve in its backyard.
Cherished over the years by each of its owners, the home has eased into the 21st century with updates remaining true to its original design. USC architecture Professor Emeritus, George Caloyannidis, owned the home in the 1990s and added a two-story living room, garage, and a spectacular master suite as well doing extensive renovations to the first floor.
Light pours into the home from every room through arched French doors and floor to ceiling windows.
A luxurious living room draws you outside into a lush garden with pool and spa.
The open concept cook’s kitchen with state of the art stainless steel appliances opens to the breakfast room complete with fireplace.
Light also floods the formal dining room through floor to ceiling windows. A flagstone fireplace with classic mantel adds elegance and warmth.
The sweeping master suite has a spacious walk-in closet, another fireplace, grand bath and spectacular views of the foliage and wildlife of the hills of Briar Summit.
The enormous master bathroom with marble polished marble floor and walls has a spa-like quality.
The balcony outside the master suite overlooks the hills, private and quiet.
Three other guest suites with private bath and glorious light are offered.
Step outside the living room into another living room—this one alive with vegetation and nature. An outdoor kitchen makes dining al fresco easy.
And in the evenings as gentle breezes scent the air with jasmine and crickets start their evening performance, the sun sets on a backyard with rolling hills lush with native plants and hiking trails filled with wildlife. 7981 Woodrow Wilson really is a dream.
Courtesy of The Agency
