A 1960s Spanish Villa in L.A. Has Reemerged as a Sophisticated Sanctuary After a 5-Year Makeover
- A 1960s Spanish-inspired home in Nichols Canyon, Los Angeles, has been meticulously renovated over five years by design duo Tanya Saban and Lucie Klimes of Broad Project, now listed for $8.45 million.
In a quiet pocket of Los Angeles, a 1960s Spanish-inspired home has been given a new lease on life—courtesy of design duo Tanya Saban and Lucie Klimes of Broad Project . The four-bedroom, five-bathroom home in Nichols Canyon just hit the market for $8.45 million following a meticulous, five-year renovation that's more than just cosmetic. It's a study in restraint, craftsmanship, and thoughtful living. Compass agent Lauren Reichenberg holds the listing.
Originally built in 1969 by the late Fred Smathers—a designer-builder with a celebrity following—the Firenze Avenue home carries a bit of Hollywood lore with it. Smathers wasn't just known for his architectural sensibilities; he had a knack for building enduring creative partnerships. One of them was with pioneering TV news anchor Kelly Lange, who recalled their two-decade collaboration: "For 22 years, we built a lot of houses together," she told the Los Angeles Times back in 2005. "It became an avocation for me—something I learned from Fred." The two constructed multiple homes in the Hollywood Hills, particularly in Nichols Canyon, and even attended the Emmys together in the late '70s.
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The kitchen sports arched steel windows, limewash walls, and French oak flooring.
Broad Project took an expansive view of the overhaul of the Firenze Avenue residence, reconfiguring the floor plan, adding a bedroom and bath to the main level, and enclosing a large patio to create a larger, light-filled kitchen. The goal wasn't just more space and visual impact but about creating an experience. Texture, acoustics, light, and flow were all carefully considered. The result is a space that feels cohesive, functional, and quietly luxurious.
Materiality plays a central role throughout. Custom French oak flooring, handcrafted Spanish terracotta tiles, and Roman clay and limewash walls create warmth and depth. Arched steel windows and bi-fold doors bring in natural light at just the right moments, thanks to solar studies that informed their placement, and the showers are finished in tadelakt (a traditional Moroccan lime plaster), a nod to both craftsmanship and durability.
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French doors in the primary suite lead to a private patio.
Smathers was an ardent fan and pioneer of the great room, a single, airy space that combines living and dining areas and sometimes the kitchen. His trademark is still found here, in the double-height living and dining room that features Roman clay on the walls, a massive arched window, and a minimalist fireplace.
The nearby kitchen, anchored by a solid oak island and a Lacanche range, is as high-performance as it is visually refined. It flows into an informal living room that opens directly to the outdoors, where multiple patios and a pool make the most of L.A.'s indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
Upstairs, the primary suite is calm and understated, with French doors opening to a private terrace. The en-suite bath is a standout, with old-growth walnut cabinetry, a soaking tub, and a walk-in steam shower. Two additional guest suites feature their own well-appointed bathrooms and walk-in closets. A detached bonus space by the pool—complete with bar, sauna, and cold plunge—adds flexibility for guests, workouts, or work-from-home days.
Click here to see more photos of the Hollywood Hills home.
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