November 3, 2024

sookhouse

Interior The Freshmaker

One-of-a-kind Bay Area beach house with famous owner and architect asks $3 million

This $2.950 million home, a short walk to the sea in the San Francisco Bay Area beach town of Montara, is one of a kind with a famous architect, a famous owner and fame in its own right. This is the first time 1241 Main Street has ever been on the public market. 

The modern and sculptural architecture of the house is that of world-renowned architect Michel Maltzan.

The home's sculptural angles and indoor-outdoor flow are hallmarks of their famous architect. 

The home’s sculptural angles and indoor-outdoor flow are hallmarks of their famous architect. 

Olga Soboleva

Maltzan has had an illustrious career, winning some of the highest accolades available to his profession: five Progressive Architecture awards; 42 citations from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the 2016 AIA Los Angeles Gold Medal; and the Rudy Bruner Foundation’s Gold Medal for Urban Excellence. In 2015, Time Magazine included Matzan’s work on L.A.’s Star Apartments as one of its 25 best inventions of the year.

There is a wide open floor plan for the main floor, with living room, dining room and kitchen all stepping out to patio. 

There is a wide open floor plan for the main floor, with living room, dining room and kitchen all stepping out to patio. 

Olga Soboleva

Before forming his own firm, Maltzan worked with Frank Gehry. Michael Matzan has designed buildings both internationally (such as Qaumajuq, the Inuit Art Centre in Canada and BookBar in the Jinhua Architecture Park in China), nationally (such as MoMa Queens, New York and the New Vassar Residence Hall at MIT in Massachusetts) and locally (the Disney Concert Hall and the Billy Wilder Theater in Los Angeles).

The home's angles frame the ocean and mountain views. 

The home’s angles frame the ocean and mountain views. 

Olga Soboleva

As his firm is located in Los Angeles, the majority of his work in the state is also in Southern California. This home at 1241 Main Street is the only Bay Area private residence Matzan built. 

The home's levels are joined by this staircase. 

The home’s levels are joined by this staircase. 

Olga Soboleva

Matzan built the 2,470 square-foot home for his sister and her husband, designer Thomas Meyerhoffer.

A formal dining room gleams in its glass, wood and concrete setting. 

A formal dining room gleams in its glass, wood and concrete setting. 

Olga Soboleva

Meyerhoffer is also a star in his profession, the first designer hired by Apple’s Chief Design Officer. He has since formed his own company, Latch, and has designed for both startups and global brands.

From this office, Thomas Meyerhoffer created his designs for almost 20 years. 

From this office, Thomas Meyerhoffer created his designs for almost 20 years. 

Olga Soboleva

From this seaside home, Meyerhoffer has also designed his alternative-shaped surfboards, “which he tested at the many world-class surf breaks from Santa Cruz to San Francisco,” Compass listing agent Stephanie Sills told SFGATE.

Check out the alternative-shaped surfboards! This has been home to famous designer Thomas Meyerhoffer since it was built in 2008. 

Check out the alternative-shaped surfboards! This has been home to famous designer Thomas Meyerhoffer since it was built in 2008. 

Olga Soboleva

This modern, three-bedroom, two-bathroom ocean view abode has been in the same family since Matzan built it. 

The sea is a nearby neighbor, but the coastal chill is offset by three fireplaces inside the home. 

The sea is a nearby neighbor, but the coastal chill is offset by three fireplaces inside the home. 

Olga Soboleva

Montara locals have probably walked right past the home, while architecture fans the world over may recognize the home from its feature in Dwell Magazine, California Style, Surfer’s Journal, ID Magazine, Outside Magazine and other publications. 

 

Anna Marie Erwert writes from both the renter and new buyer perspective, having (finally) achieved both statuses. She focuses on national real estate trends, specializing in the San Francisco Bay Area and Pacific Northwest. Follow Anna on Twitter: @AnnaMarieErwert.