1950s Symbol of L.A. Modernism Hits the Market for the First Time, Asking $25M
A classic piece of mid‑century modern architecture just hit the market: a 1959 Pierre Koenig–designed glass‑and‑steel home in the Hollywood Hills, listed for around $25 million, according to Mansion Global. It’s never been sold before and has been in the same family since it was built. Architecturally, it’s in the same design world as Koenig’s famous Case Study Houses—clean lines, exposed steel, huge glass walls, and indoor‑outdoor living before that was a marketing buzzword.
Most of us aren’t shopping for a $25 million showpiece, but there’s a reason homes like this still turn heads in 2025: they’re simple, functional, and designed to make everyday living feel good. You can borrow a lot of those ideas for your own place—whether you’re in a 1950s ranch, a new build, or a small apartment—using basic tools and DIY‑friendly projects.
Below are five practical, home‑repair‑meets‑home‑improvement steps inspired by Koenig’s glass‑and‑steel style that you can actually tackle yourself.
1. Refresh (or Fake) a Clean Mid‑Century Exterior
Koenig’s Hollywood Hills home stands out for its flat planes, simple colors, and uncluttered exterior. You don’t need architectural steel beams to get some of that look—just paint, cleaning supplies, and a weekend.
**DIY steps:**
1. **Strip visual clutter.**
Take one hour to walk your exterior with a trash bag and a bin: remove broken pots, random garden decor, dead plants, and unused fixtures. Simpler equals more “modern.”
2. **Clean first, then judge.**
Use a garden hose or pressure washer (on a low, siding‑safe setting) to wash siding, walkways, and steps. Often dirty paint looks “old” when it’s just grimy.
3. **Pick a pared‑back color scheme.**
Mid‑century exteriors often rely on:
- Main: warm white, light gray, or greige
- Trim: charcoal, black, or a darker gray
- Accent: one bold color (teal, mustard, tomato red) for the door
Choose exterior‑rated paint and stick to three colors max.
4. **Repaint the front door as your “statement wall.”**
Lightly sand, wipe with a damp cloth, tape edges, and apply an exterior primer if needed. Follow with 2 coats of exterior enamel in your accent color. This is an easy 1‑day project with a big visual payoff.
5. **Upgrade old house numbers and porch light.**
Swap tired fixtures for simple, boxy designs in black or brushed metal. Most are just two wires and a mounting bracket—turn the power off at the breaker, take a photo of the original wiring, and match wire‑for‑wire.
**Why it works:**
You’re mimicking that “glass‑and‑steel” clarity with a clean facade, strong lines, and limited colors—no demo required.
2. Let in More Light Without Rebuilding in Glass
The Koenig house is basically a showcase of floor‑to‑ceiling glass. You don’t want to knock out your walls, but you *can* bring in more light and get a similar airy feel by treating your existing windows more intentionally.
**DIY steps:**
1. **Strip heavy window coverings.**
Take down dark drapes or dusty, broken blinds. Replace them with:
- Sheer curtains and a double rod (sheer + blackout if needed), or
- Simple roller shades mounted inside the window frame.
2. **Patch and repaint around the windows.**
Once coverings are down, you’ll often see nail holes, cracks, or dingy trim. Use lightweight spackle, sand smooth, then repaint trim in a bright white semi‑gloss to bounce light.
3. **Deep‑clean the glass (inside and out).**
Use a squeegee, glass cleaner, and a bucket for the outside. For upper floors, use a long‑handled squeegee or call in a pro once a year for high, hard‑to‑reach panes.
4. **Add DIY “clerestory” feel with mirrors.**
If you’re stuck with small windows, hang a long, narrow mirror above eye level on the opposite wall. It reflects light like the clerestory strip windows you see in mid‑century homes.
5. **Trim plants that block windows.**
Outside, cut back shrubs, branches, or vines that physically cover glass. Indoors, move tall plants slightly away from the glass so they frame the view instead of blocking it.
**Why it works:**
You’re maximizing the light you already have. The 1950s modernists obsessed over daylight; this is your low‑cost way to do the same.
3. Expose and Celebrate Structure (Safely)
That Koenig home is all about visible structure: steel beams, open spans, no fussy trim. In a typical house, you might not have steel, but you *do* have beams, joists, and clean planes you can highlight instead of hiding.
**DIY steps:**
1. **Identify beams you already see.**
- Exposed ceiling beams
- Basement or garage joists
- A simple support post in a finished space
You’re not removing anything here—only cleaning up what’s already visible.
2. **Clean and repair instead of covering.**
In a garage or basement, vacuum cobwebs, scrape loose flaking paint, and fill big cracks with a paintable filler. You’re aiming for “intentional industrial,” not “unfinished and scary.”
3. **Paint beams and ceilings one solid color.**
For a modern look, choose:
- White: for a brighter, higher‑ceiling feel, or
- Black/charcoal: to hide pipes/wires visually and make the structure look purposeful.
Use an appropriate primer if you’re painting bare wood or stained lumber.
4. **Box in ugly posts simply.**
If you have a metal or 4x4 post in a living space, you can “wrap” it with 1x boards to create a simple square column. Glue and nail the boards into a box around the post, fill nail holes, and paint to match trim or beams.
5. **Add basic fire‑safety checks.**
While you’re working around structure, look for:
- Uninsulated wires hanging off beams
- Evidence of water leaks (stains on joists)
- Cracked or missing fire‑blocking around pipe penetrations
If you see anything worrying, this is where you stop DIY and call a pro (electrician, plumber, or structural engineer).
**Why it works:**
You’re leaning into the “structure as design” trend those 1950s modernists helped popularize, while also taking the chance to inspect for hidden problems.
4. Tame the Mid‑Century Nemesis: Drafty Windows and Doors
Many mid‑century homes—and plenty of 2025 homes, honestly—leak heating and cooling dollars through their windows and doors. That Koenig glass house in the Hollywood Hills is architecturally stunning, but all that glass requires serious weather‑management. You can do a smaller‑scale version by tightening up your existing openings.
**DIY steps:**
1. **Check for drafts with a candle or incense stick.**
On a breezy day, turn off fans and HVAC, then slowly pass a lit candle or incense stick around:
- Window edges
- Door frames
- Baseboards along exterior walls
Flicker or smoke movement = air leak.
2. **Install adhesive foam weatherstripping.**
For doors and older windows:
- Clean the surface with rubbing alcohol
- Measure and cut the foam strip
- Stick it to the frame where the door or sash meets the stop
Close and test; adjust thickness if the door won’t latch.
3. **Use rope caulk for loose, old windows.**
Rope caulk is a removable, putty‑like seal. Press it into gaps around window sashes in winter; peel it off in spring. It won’t damage most paints and is great for renters.
4. **Seal exterior gaps with exterior‑grade caulk.**
Outside, run a bead of paintable exterior caulk:
- Where siding meets window/door trim
- Around exterior light fixtures
- At utility penetrations (cable, AC lines, hose bibs)
Smooth with a damp finger or caulk tool for a clean line.
5. **Adjust or replace door sweeps.**
If you see daylight under an exterior door, loosen the screws on the sweep, slide it down until it just kisses the threshold, and retighten. If the rubber is torn or brittle, replace the whole sweep (usually under $20).
**Why it works:**
You keep the “wall of glass” feeling—large openings, lots of light—but control the comfort and energy cost. That’s a huge step toward making any design, old or new, liveable.
5. Simplify Interiors With Built‑In‑Style Storage
The Koenig house, like many mid‑century modern homes, leans on built‑ins and minimal furniture to keep the interior calm and uncluttered. You may not have custom casework, but you can fake that built‑in feel with DIY upgrades to your existing storage.
**DIY steps:**
1. **Start with a ruthless edit.**
Pick one room—say, the living room—and remove anything that:
- Doesn’t serve a purpose
- Has no real emotional value
- Is broken and hasn’t been used in a year
Donate, recycle, or toss. Empty space is a design feature in mid‑century style.
2. **Turn stock shelving into “built‑ins.”**
Use basic bookcases (IKEA, big box store, etc.) and:
- Line them up tightly along one wall
- Secure them to studs with L‑brackets (safety first)
- Add a simple MDF or 1x top spanning across them for a continuous surface
- Caulk gaps where shelves meet the wall and paint the whole unit to match trim or wall color
3. **Add simple slab doors to hide clutter.**
For open shelves in busy rooms, attach flat doors to the lower sections:
- Measure openings and have plywood or MDF cut to size
- Sand edges, prime, and paint
- Attach with basic hinges and simple pulls
This gives you “closed” storage that reads like a custom cabinet.
4. **Use a consistent hardware style.**
Swap random knobs and handles for one shape and finish throughout the room (for example, black bar pulls or small round brass knobs). That repetition is very mid‑century and makes different pieces feel related.
5. **Layer in one or two warm materials.**
Mid‑century modern isn’t all cold glass and steel; you’ll see plenty of wood and textiles. Add:
- A wood lamp or side table
- A wool or cotton rug with a simple pattern
- Linen or cotton throw pillows in solid, earthy colors
The key is fewer, better pieces—not more stuff.
**Why it works:**
By controlling clutter and creating simple, continuous lines, you echo the ordered, quiet interiors of high‑end modernist homes—without custom furniture budgets.
Conclusion
That 1950s Pierre Koenig glass‑and‑steel home in the Hollywood Hills is hitting the market for around $25 million because it captures something timeless: smart use of light, honest materials, and spaces that actually feel good to live in. You don’t need a hillside lot or an architect’s name on your plans to bring the same spirit into your place.
With a few DIY‑friendly projects—cleaning up your exterior, letting in more light, exposing structure thoughtfully, tightening up drafty windows and doors, and simplifying storage—you can pull real, practical lessons from a very high‑end listing and apply them to a very real‑life home. Pick one of the five steps above, block off a weekend, and start there. The most “modern” thing you can do is make your home work better for how you live right now.