Completed in 1960 by Richard Neutra, the Sale House is a mid-century modern residence in Crestwood Hills, Los Angeles. Located at the very end of Tigertail Road, it appears as a secluded paradise floating above the Brentwood hills. The home includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with 1,632 square feet of total living space. 1531 N Tigertail Road, Los Angeles, is priced at $5,295,000, and is listed by Frank Langen at Compass and Dalton Gomez at Christie’s International Real Estate SoCal.
From its history of ownership to its unforgettable design, this property is one-of-a-kind. The first homeowners, Mr. & Mrs. Robert D. Sale, owned the home for 55 years. It was then sold to Daniel Humm, chef-owner of Eleven Madison Park. The current owner, Peter Galliaert, is a Belgian ex-real estate developer and architecture patron with a penchant for mid-century design. Upon entering the home for the first time, he exclaimed, “I felt the house before going in. Oh my gosh—this is it.”
In Neutra’s typical style, walls of glass create an almost invisible structure – save for the brick chimney wall and steel beams. The home looks like a glass box nestled in the lush hillside. The house is a single-story structure with a layout designed for easy movement between spaces. The original built-in cabinetry, bathroom tile, and mosaics by Elsa Sale are still intact. A 2020–2021 restoration led by Escher GuneWardena Architecture returned both the house and pool to their original condition while updating systems to current standards.
Skylights immediately illuminate the entrance of the home. The main living space displays decorative wood paneling and uninterrupted views of the city and seaside. Lighting was redesigned to replace decades of over-illumination, restoring the intended balance of brightness and shadow.
The kitchen was recently modernized with new appliances, lighting, and finishes, all while prioritizing local materials. The entire redesign stays loyal to Neutra’s original intent. Dining and casual seating areas connect directly to terraces, emphasizing the indoor-outdoor lifestyle that these homes were intended to promote.
Bedrooms and bathrooms retain their original tilework and mosaic accents – added by the Sale family in its early years of ownership. Custom built-ins provide storage and optimize the minimalistic interior. Retro workspaces look out onto the Los Angeles landscape below. The rooms remain consistent with Neutra’s geometric layouts and functional design principles.
Outdoor spaces include multiple terraces, a pool with a diving board, and gardens redesigned by Ivette Soler Gardens. The landscaping follows the architectural lines of the house and preserves native ecology. The property borders permanently protected land, ensuring privacy and preventing future development.
The Sale House is notable for its combination of preserved original details and thoughtful updates. Its secluded location, architectural integrity, and meticulous restoration make it a rare example of mid-century modern living fully realized on the Westside.
Listing: 1531 N Tigertail Road, Los Angeles, CA 90049 [Compass, Christie’s International Real Estate SoCal]
