A picturesque stream runs through this lush escape in the heart of Southwest Pasadena. Built in 1954, the four-bedroom, three-bath residence occupies 2,564 square feet. It includes terraces, bridges, and balconies that work with the surrounding water and landscape. 820 Burleigh Drive, Pasadena, is priced at $2,750,000 and listed by the George Penner Team at Compass.
The house has long been recognized for its architectural significance. Featured in Sunset Magazine in 1958 for its innovative approach to indoor-outdoor living, it was later listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. The Mills Act designation highlights its value as an example of Pasadena’s postwar residential architecture. The home also appeared in Pasadena Heritage’s 2013 tour, “Pasadena 1940 Forward,” highlighting residences that combined modernist principles with site-sensitive design. It is rumored that The Rat Pack once visited this historic property.
Designed by Buff, Straub & Hensman, FAIA, the house exemplifies the Post & Beam Modernism style. The firm prioritized a strong connection to nature without sacrificing a modern appearance. The home was built by its original owners, John (Jack) W. & Laurel C. Norton. A contrasting combination of concrete, Douglas fir wood, and glass was used to construct the home. There is consistent visual continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces.
The home’s appearance is simple, sleek, and welcoming. It has a rectangular programmatic design that is built around the natural course of the stream, with bridges that create functional pathways. These unique transitional features turn circulation into an architectural focal point. This integration of structure and location is rare, even among mid-century modern homes.
Inside, the living room demonstrates the house’s restrained elegance. Cork flooring and a low built-in bench anchor the space, while a wide-hearth concrete fireplace defines the room. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the water and gardens, making the exterior an active part of the interior.
The kitchen balances modern updates with the home’s original design. New cabinetry, quartz countertops, and Miele appliances coexist with the original tile backsplash. A pony wall subtly separates the kitchen from the main corridor while preserving the feeling of openness.
The primary suite includes an adjacent office and direct access to the terraces. Its bathroom features a stunning, single-piece concrete sink and countertop. Two upper-level bedrooms share a Jack and Jill bathroom that overlooks a small Japanese garden, a detail originally highlighted in Sunset Magazine in 1958.
Outdoor design is integral to the home’s architectural identity. Cascading ponds, pathways, and vegetable beds are all carefully composed to create a lush, layered look. The home’s visible integration with the natural stream and gardens transforms the overall landscape, reinforcing why it remains such an inimitable property.
Listing: 820 Burleigh Dr, Pasadena, CA 91105 [Compass]
