2039 micheltorena street

Step into Los Angeles history with this extraordinary Silver Lake estate designed by renowned architect and landscape planner Mark Roy Daniels, the visionary behind Bel Air, Pebble Beach, and San Francisco's Sea Cliff. Built in 1932 under one of L.A.'s earliest building permits, this 5 bed, 5 bath, 3,643 sq ft residence embodies timeless craftsmanship with original redwood framing, plaster walls, period tile roof, and a hillside design that harmonizes with nature in Daniels' signature style. Beyond its architecture, 2039 Micheltorena tells a remarkable story. In the 1940s it was home to attorney George H. Franweig and his household staff, including Julia Morgan, later known as the grandmother and caretaker of disco icon Sylvester James whose groundbreaking music helped define an era of cultural liberation. Few Silver Lake homes of the time employed live-in staff, making this a rare enclave of elegance and service. Adding to its lore, visitors have long spoken of a spectral presence tied to crime reporter Florabel Muir, who chronicled Hollywood scandals and mob intrigue with unmatched grit. Thoughtfully updated with modern comforts HVAC, upgraded systems, restored period details, and terraced gardens for entertaining this property qualifies for Mills Act tax benefits (buyer to verify) and offers potential designation as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. More than a home, it is a living story, where architecture, art, and the creative spirit of Silver Lake converge.