The Sheats-Goldstein Residence is Incredible

A few weeks ago, our office had the fortunate pleasure of touring the Sheats-Goldstein Residence in Beverly Crest. Besides its status as an architectural icon, you might recognize the Sheats-Goldstein Residence from the movie The Big Lebowski, featuring Jeff Bridges. Big thanks to Joe for arranging this tour. Anyway, I wanted to share some pictures and highlights from the tour; it truly stands out as one of my best architectural experiences. The blend of exploring an iconic building, which also happens to be the home of a local celebrity, heightened my excitement. Plus, our tour guide was a delight. Check out the site plan below; the Goldstein property has two main structures: the residence itself and the “Club James” entertainment center. We managed to tour both in an hour and twenty minutes.

Site Plan showing the Goldstein Residence and the entertainment center known as “Club James.”

📖 What is the Sheats-Goldstein Residence?

The Sheats-Goldstein Residence is a remarkable architectural masterpiece designed by renowned architect John Lautner. Completed in 1963, the residence is characterized by its innovative and organic design, seamlessly integrating with the natural landscape. Originally commissioned by Helen and Paul Sheats, the house underwent subsequent modifications by its current owner, James Goldstein, who acquired it in 1972. Goldstein collaborated closely with Lautner to enhance and personalize the residence, adding features like the iconic “James Bond” room and a stunning infinity tennis court. The Sheats-Goldstein Residence has since become an iconic symbol of modernist architecture, capturing the essence of Southern California living, and continues to be celebrated for its visionary design and unique blend of luxury and nature.

Iconic living room space looking out towards Downtown Los Angeles.

👀 Amazing Views

While LA is frequently regarded as less glamorous due to its smog and traffic, it’s important to remember the surrounding hills and mountains that encircle the entire LA Basin. Shifting perspectives can reveal a different sentiment towards the city. From the vantage point of the Sheats-Goldstein residence, every major space offers a breathtaking view of Los Angeles, transforming it into a stunning and captivating sight. LA has never looked more beautiful upon that hill.

⚙️ Fun Motorization

Often mechanizing architecture can be gimmicky. But, when done right, it is hard to not be impressed. See the videos below for some dynamic architectural features.

Motorized Hinged Ceiling Mount TV Screen

Motorizing Sliding Window Walls

Motorized Carousel Closet

Motorized Sliding Hot Tub Decking Cover

🍃 Exterior vs. Interior

There are many architectural moments that blur the boundaries of the exterior and interior of the residence. In the living room area, the vegetation spills in while the continuity of the couch extends outdoors beyond the glazing. The bedroom shower has both an interior and exterior space. The bathroom sink drains the water directly out onto the roof deck. Many of the outdoor spaces just do not have guardrails to strengthen the connection to the surrounding hillside. Talking about living on the edge.

🍷 Club James

Apart from the main house, Mr. Goldstein boasts an entertainment building called “Club James.” It was during this part of the tour that I fully grasped the experience of being inside the home of a wealthy individual who is also a prominent local celebrity. Notably, Mr. Goldstein, with his dual passion for architecture and basketball, filled almost every shelf with either an architecture book or a photo featuring himself alongside a well-known NBA player.

❤️ One of My Favorite Architectural Experiences

Overall, what truly made this entire experience so enjoyable for me was the remarkable level of customization evident in the architecture. The inclusion of delightful details, like an operable deck unveiling a hot tub and offering panoramic city views, underscores James Goldstein’s profound appreciation for architecture. The creation of such sublime and dynamic architectural spaces requires a collaborative effort between an architect and a client striving for a distinctive spatial experience. Experiencing the Sheats-Goldstein residence felt genuinely special, especially while touring it with a fantastic group of friends.