Built in 1978, this South Pasadena family home is a personal property with a sentimental history. Designed by architect Bob Ray Offenhauser as his own family home, it is noticeably different from his other works, with a more intimate approach to architecture. The single-story residence features three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Priced at $4,199,000, 445 Columbia Street is listed by Eric Lavey with Eric Lavey + Partners.
Offenhauser designed the home to capture a European way of living, where secret gardens, outdoor gathering spaces, and interior rooms flow into each other. The entire property is built across one level, with each pavilion having its own private courtyard. This arrangement creates a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Tall perimeter walls create an ultra-private estate, with the gated entrance setting the tone for the property. Once guests move beyond the gate, they are greeted by a courtyard with a glorious fountain. A formal parterre of clipped boxwood, reflecting basins, stone urns, and other features gives the entrance the look of an Old-World retreat.
The living room is the heart of the home, with 14-foot ceilings, skylights, and a 12-foot-wide wall of glass and steel. Like most rooms in the house, it opens directly onto one of the many enchanting gardens. Perhaps the most striking element in the living space is the 18th-century limestone fireplace, sourced directly from a chateau in France’s Loire Valley. It brings a sense of authenticity and irreplaceable history to the room.
The kitchen and connecting pathways continue the home’s architectural approach. The kitchen features exposed brick and wood cabinetry that give it the appearance of a weathered French or Italian cooking space. Covered glass pathways connect different areas of the home, maintaining the relationship between the pavilions and their surrounding courtyards.
Custom wallpaper throughout adds character to the interiors, while terra-cotta, stone, and wood floors provide a consistent material palette. The bathrooms are equally distinctive, including one finished in red marble and stained glass. These features give the rooms their own character without departing from the home’s classic design.
Outside, countless mature plantings make the property feel like a secret oasis at every turn. A swimming pool and spa add to the feeling of a private resort. The 14,832-square-foot lot maximizes the available outdoor space, emphasizing the idea that living should not happen only indoors in such a beautiful climate.
This is not a cookie-cutter home. It is an intimate, hypnotizing property with irreplaceable historic elements, designed for those looking for something different and completely private. With its unusual architecture and personal history, it remains a true South Pasadena icon.
Listing: 445 Columbia St. South Pasadena, CA 91030 [Eric Lavey]
