The John Byer-designed Contrapuntal House has been listed with an asking price of $6,995,000. Eponymously named after the home’s iconic performance hall—a meticulously designed, acoustically perfected two-story concert hall and 8,000-book library with a secret room—the property boasts four bedrooms and four baths across 5,389 square feet.
Alan Kay, known as one of the fathers of the personal computer and his wife, Bonnie MacBird, a well-known novelist known for her Sherlock Holmes novels for HarperCollins and the original screenwriter for the movie TRON, have owned the Brentwood home for 35 years.
The expansive living room showcases soaring, beamed ceilings, skylights and a designer fireplace featuring Malibu tiles, while the generous dining room has a wall of French doors offering private garden views. The gourmet country kitchen is bright and inviting, featuring skylights, garden and pool views. But the piece de resistance of the Contrapuntal House is, of course, the “Contrapuntal Performance Hall.” A secret bookcase door hidden within the library opens to a transformative space for a children’s playroom or art storage area.
Not to be outdone, the opulent and inviting five-room primary suite features high ceilings and a marble fireplace and connects to a large walk-in closet, an exquisite bathroom in marble and Malibu tile with a deep soaking tub, shower, and private water closet. Connected is a sunny gym with French Orangerie detailing, and a Japanese-style Zen retreat for meditation, massage or creative inspiration.
The home also has a rec room, an office and a cottage-style guest house. The Contrapuntal House is situated on a generous half-acre of land, with soaring sycamores, mature avocado and fruit trees and a rose garden. A lighted tennis court and a classic, kidney-shaped pool along with al fresco dining areas offer delightful entertainment and recreation possibilities.
Matthew Witek at Compass holds the listing.
Photos By Ryan Lahif