Built in 1966, the Dr. Richard Henry House is a stunning display of creative innovation by renowned architect Cliff May. The home includes four bedrooms and seven and a half bathrooms within 6,238 square feet of overall living space. Set on a 1.3-acre promontory in lower Bel Air, 667 Ledo Way, Los Angeles, is priced at $9,000,000 and listed by Weston Littlefield at Christie’s International Real Estate SoCal.
Cliff May was a groundbreaking architect with revolutionary ideas and little formal training. He quickly became a leader in post-war residential architecture. May, who received his architecture license only in the final year of his life, is credited with creating the California Ranch House and several iconic mid-century modern homes. Most of his properties include low-slung structures, pitched roofs, and a strong relationship between buildings and their surrounding landscape.
The architecture of the Dr. Richard Henry House is a classic California ranch, the style of home May later became famous for. It features a low profile, broad rooflines, and clean lines. The design balances openness with privacy and countless handcrafted details, reflecting May’s unique and curated approach to residential architecture.
From its vantage point in Bel Air, the estate offers unobstructed views from Downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean, including a clear shot of the Getty. Its 1.3-acre lot ensures plenty of privacy, and the property is nestled within mature pine trees and careful landscaping.
Inside, the house includes expansive post-and-beam ceilings and large skylights. Perhaps the most striking space is the indoor pool pavilion. Natural light fills every room, highlighting tile floors, concrete accents, and exposed wood beams. Built-in shelving and textured walls add detail, while a neutral, earthy color palette reinforces the organic feel of the interior.
The exterior features wraparound porches and double doors that extend the living space outdoors. The pitched roof and sharp lines demonstrate careful attention to proportion, while the overall layout hints at a Japanese influence on the arrangement of space and light.
The property is rare because it has remained largely unchanged since its construction. It provides an intact example of Cliff May’s work, allowing visitors and owners to experience the design as it was originally conceived. Such well-preserved mid-century ranch homes are extremely uncommon in Bel-Air.
For collectors and enthusiasts of mid-century architecture, the Dr. Richard Henry House offers a chance to experience a significant piece of Los Angeles history. Its combination of original design, visible texture, and an elevated setting makes it one of the most important examples of Cliff May’s approach to residential design.
Listing: 667 Ledo Way, Los Angeles, CA 90049 [Christie’s International Real Estate SoCal]
