Discover the ‘Wonder of Being’ in This Standout SoCal Home on Stilts for $2.9M

Homes are rarely built specifically to inspire awe. But that’s just par for the course when Ellis David Gelman is the architect on the job.

A magnificent, Gelman-designed home in Agoura Hills, CA, just landed on the market for $2,950,000. And in many ways, it’s the ultimate embodiment of his overarching vision.

Gelman graduated from the University of Southern California School Architecture. He has had a long and storied career, designing beautiful, modern environments that meet his clients physical needs while also increasing “awareness and wonder of being.”

A property perched on stilts

Built in 2006, the three-bedroom, 3.5 bath, 3,064-square-foot home is set on stilts. This design gives residents a bird’s eye, panoramic view of the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains. The nearly 1-acre lot is meticulously landscaped with cacti, agave, and succulents, along with shady, elegant sycamore trees sprawling across a large lawn.

There is also a capacious deck with two ultramod kit houses connected, which provide extra space for entertaining and recreation. A covered parking area with an EV charging station and seating area are included in the design.

“I think one of the most incredible features of this home is how it’s designed to create the most beautiful, often unexpected views of the stunning surroundings everywhere you look,” says Compass listing agent Amy Snider. “It absolutely raises your awareness of all the natural beauty around you. Whether you’re looking at the peaks of the Santa Monica Mountains through the clerestory windows above the kitchen, the large sycamore trees through the wall of glass in the great room, or blue skies through the large skylights in the main hall, it’s all pretty magical.”

The home’s design also provides a perfect lounge area under the stilts, thanks to the property’s large, flat lot.

“Since the house is elevated a full story above the ground, you can sit beneath it and be completely surrounded by the expansive grounds,” Snider explains. “It’s all gated and superprivate, making it a total sanctuary but also an incredible home for entertaining.”

Just across the street, the Peter Strauss Ranch Park beckons. Beloved by nature enthusiasts and history and music buffs, the park boasts oak woodlands, easy trails, a lawn area, and an amphitheater that often hosts concerts.

But as gorgeous as the grounds are, it’s the design inside that shines.

“Floating above the expansive lot, with stunning views of the Santa Monica Mountains, this strikingly unique home will take your breath away,” Snider says. “It is rare to find such an effective balance of artful design and functional living. Surrounded by nature, this home offers ultimate tranquility without sacrificing modern conveniences.”

Art + functional living

The single-level floor plan opens into a great room with a tall ceiling, clerestory windows, and a glass wall that provides jaw-dropping views and deck access.

There’s a chef’s kitchen with custom cabinetry, high-end appliances, a walk-in pantry, and an adjacent laundry room.

The current owner is interior designer Lizzie Green of Popix Designs, and she has left her own unique touches on the original design.

“She added a gorgeous, sustainable, marble-tile floor in her office and some subtle but beautiful wallpaper to the nooks in both the entryway and dining room,” Snider says.

Each of the three bedroom suites offer large closets and oversized windows. The primary suite sprawls across the entire southern side of the home, with a fireplace, dual closets, plus a primary bathroom with a walk-in shower and soaking tub, two sinks, and a water closet.

The home feels remote but is anything but, with easy access to restaurants such as the family-run Old Place as well as Cornell Wine Co., a shop and local wine bar.

The house is situated in the Las Virgenes School District.

“This property has been a much-loved home to two nature-loving families who appreciate the family-friendly floor plan, grounds, great nearby schools, and public park across the street,” Snider says, adding that the home would be perfect for “anyone who has an appreciation for architecture and wants to be a little removed from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.”

• To see the entire listing with photos, go here.
• To see more homes available in Agoura Hills, CA, go here.

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