Late Modern Architect Martin Gelber’s Landmark 

1978 Brentwood Residence Offered for Sale

California’s First Certified Passive Solar House

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 2026) — An extremely rare Late Modern masterpiece, fully restored and updated, is now on the market in the architecturally significant Crestwood Hills/Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Known as the Gelber Residence, the 3,707 square-foot home was designed in 1976 by esteemed architect Martin Gelber, FAIA, who was mentored by architectural luminaries A. Quincy Jones, Richard Neutra and Gregory Ain. Completed in 1978, the home’s late modern aesthetic is emblematic of Crestwood Hills’ architecture of the 1970s, with clean lines, open plans, and a strong connection to the natural landscape.  The asking price is $3.75M

Set on an exceptionally private site, with sweeping canyon, city, and ocean vistas, Gelber’s personal residence combines striking sculptural form with a focus on environmental sensitivity, drenched by natural light flowing through floor-to-ceiling windows. This layout strikes a balance between intimacy and openness, resulting in a serene yet visually dramatic tableau that makes an immediate impact upon entering the house. 

On the main floor of the four-bedroom/three-bathroom home, a studio/office, den/bedroom, bath, and ensuite primary bedroom with fireplace all enjoy extensive views. An oculus above the ergonomically designed stairway illuminates the way down to the lower level, featuring a guest bedroom with hallway bath, private entrance and deck, as well as the home’s central living spaces.

United beneath a custom 18-foot Clear Heart Redwood ceiling, the main entertaining space comprises a dining room, living room, conversation area, bar, fireplace, and galley kitchen. Custom cabinetry throughout reinforces the home’s refined architectural language, while wraparound decks extend the living spaces outward to embrace the views and accommodate gatherings of any size, from intimate get-togethers to large-scale celebrations. A semi-finished basement allows for personal customization, while the 17,227-square-foot lot provides opportunities for future additions such as a studio, pool or pickleball court.

The home’s exterior is defined by clean angular lines and “fins” that do more than create a dramatic silhouette – as a functional design element, they shield the interior from direct sunlight, aligning with the sun to keep the house cool in summer, warm in winter. The siting of the house on the lot is integral to capturing cross-breezes, enhanced by the use of open doors and windows. Additionally, strategically placed skylights help to funnel warm air up and out. With its pioneering, energy-saving use of solar orientation, shading fins, thermal massing, and natural ventilation, the residence embodies a sustainable design approach well ahead of its time. The Gelber House was the first in California to receive a federal energy tax credit, part of the 1978 National Energy Act, in recognition of its energy-saving passive solar design.  

Indoors and out, four notable hallmarks of 1970s Modernism converge here in perfect balance: rich, unadorned redwood, expanses of glass, powerful linear composition, and bold geometric form of the exterior and interior. 

The result is the Gelber Residence -- a singular home of exceptional architectural pedigree, historic significance, enduring livability and environmental consideration.

Content by Sotheby's International Realty