18 Laverne Avenue Mill Valley CA 94941 MLS #326011995

Offered for the first time ever, this museum-quality mid-century modern landmark is an exceptionally rare piece of California design history. Designed by architect Joseph Stein as the personal home of famed landscape architect Robert Royston(also designed property), the property sits on an approx acre mostly flat lot with sweeping Mount Tamalpais views. Walls of glass, striking architectural angles, and Royston’s extraordinary grounds create a true indoor/outdoor lifestyle, with gardens designed as a series of private outdoor rooms.” Royston and Stein created two mirror-image homes and landscapes (with a few differences), originally intended for each of them to live side-by-side. The single-level main residence offers 2,379 sq ft (per appraiser) and showcases a rare blend of mahogany, redwood, concrete, and glass. A dramatic wood-burning fireplace is paired with a copper architectural wall element, while poured concrete floors feature wood screeds and aggregate detailing that define each space like built-in area rugs.” Custom built-in teak pieces remain throughout, including display cases, shelving, and a wall-mounted record player area with storage. The primary suite includes dual-sided closets, a make-up sitting area, and an adjoining sitting room or study with a hidden recessed cocktail bar. Separate glass-walled studio (352 sq ft) was Royston’s original workspace beneath the view deck. Detached covered 2-car carport with multiple enclosed storage spaces. The famed Royston gardens are a historically significant test lab” for his ideas, including an iconic architectural screen wall tied to the celebrated 1949 SF Museum of Art exhibit Design in the Patio.” A gate at the lower property provides a rare cut-through to downtown, offering an extraordinary blend of privacy, scale, and walkability.