About 130 N Catalina Street
The Monsignor O'Brien House, circa 1925, is a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument (#861). Designed by noted architect Clarence J. Smale, AIA, who also designed Buster Keaton's nearby Hancock Park residence, and drafted by pioneering architect Edith Northman, one of the first licensed female architects in the United States, this Mediterranean and Spanish Revival masterpiece beautifully captures the glamour of 1920s Los Angeles. Set above the street and filled with natural light from magnificent arched French doors and windows, the home retains exceptional original character, including period light fixtures, hardwood floors, wedding cake crown moldings, soaring ceilings, and a stunning wood-burning fireplace in the dramatic step-down living room. Formal living and dining spaces, a charming breakfast room, a thoughtfully restored kitchen with a remarkable butler's pantry, and beautifully preserved architectural details throughout create a home of rare warmth and distinction. Upstairs, the gracious primary suite is joined by additional bedrooms, a sunroom, and a classic sleeping porch overlooking the private backyard, where a vine-covered pergola and spacious garage offer exceptional opportunities for outdoor living, creative space, or a home office. A rare opportunity to live in an architecturally significant residence rich in history, character, and timeless elegance.
