Modernism meets Mother Nature

Imagine a glass house with mid-20th century lines and mountain views in a country setting, with hawks soaring overhead and an orchard overflowing with fruit. Sound like Eden? That’s what owner Doug Chapin dubbed this Beverly Hills-area estate, which he bought and remodeled in 2003.

The main house was designed in 1959 by Hal Levitt, the Modernist architect. Magazine editor Norman Cousins, who spearheaded the “therapeutic humor” movement, bought the house in 1979, adding two adjoining lots to the property. He built the guesthouse, which he used as a writing studio, and a tennis court, and planted the orchard, which today includes lemon, lime, apricot, tangerine, orange and avocado trees.

“Every day, I wake up and hear birds chirping, and I pick fruit for breakfast,” said Chapin, a personal manager. “Yet I’m living in what should be a loft in a Manhattan building.”

About this home: Chapin, a Modern-architecture buff, decided from the get-go that his home would feature an open design, allowing for maximum light and a seamless flow from the indoors out. He strove to “honor and enhance” Levitt’s design by adding a glass entryway and dining room and installing five skylights.

The estate is private, however, with a gate, a long driveway and mature landscaping. Amid the greenery and fruit trees are the lighted tennis court, a swimming pool, an outdoor fireplace and a meditation garden, all connected by walkways. “The result is a house whose walls almost disappear, leaving you surrounded by the outdoors,” Chapin said.

Asking price: $7,895,000

Size: The main house has four bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms and the guesthouse has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a living room, kitchen and laundry room, in a combined 5,200 square feet. The property is about 1.5 acres.

Features: The main house, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, has chocolate porcelain tile floors from Italy that continue outdoors; Brazilian Cohiba granite, Italian limestone and Calacata marble touches; a remodeled master suite with a plasma TV and a bathroom with a two-person shower, whirlpool tub and steam; a media room with surround sound and a 50-inch plasma TV; a professional kitchen with a 132-wine-bottle storage unit; an Intelli- Control system with multiple outlets (iPod, computer, DVD, digital radio) for indoor and outdoor music; an outdoor barbecue, bar and dining area, and a pool. The two houses combined have five fireplaces; the guesthouse has its own deck and spa.

Where: The Beverly Hills Post Office area

Listing agent: Rory Barish, Keller Williams Realty, Beverly Hills, (310) 502-8797.

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