James DeLong, AIA, Architect | The Wolford House, 1947

James DeLong, AIA, Architect | Taliesin Fellow
The Wolford House, 1947
City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 614

FREE HOME TOUR
Sunday May 4, 2 – 5 PM

4260 Sea View Lane
Los Angeles, CA 90065

The Wolford House, completed in 1951 in the Mt. Washington area of Los Angeles, marks architect James DeLong’s first solo residential project following his time as an apprentice under Frank Lloyd Wright. The design reflects the influence of Wright’s Usonian philosophy, which emphasized modest, functional spaces that harmonize with their natural surroundings.

This compact hillside home, measuring around 1,100 square feet, demonstrates a keen sensitivity to site and setting. Its clean horizontal lines, low-pitched roof, and extensive glass walls are central to the modernist aesthetic. Notably, DeLong used corner windows without visible supports (mitered glass) and broad sliding doors to dissolve the boundaries between interior and exterior, allowing for expansive views and abundant natural light.

While the front of the house maintains privacy with a solid brick screen, the rear opens fully to the landscape, creating a seamless transition to the outdoor garden and hillside beyond. Inside, warm wood tones and built-in furniture contribute to an efficient and serene living environment, with thoughtful details such as floor-to-ceiling windows in the master bedroom enhancing the connection to nature. The freestanding garage was recently converted to an ADU/guesthouse and adds 442 square feet of exquisitely designed living space.

In 1994, the city of Los Angeles officially recognized the architectural importance of the Wolford House by designating it as Historic-Cultural Monument No. 614. Significantly, this property benefits from the Mills Act, which offers substantial property tax savings for the next owner. Featured in many publications including Dwell, Mid-Century Home, Curbed LA, and Vogue, further affirming its legacy as a celebrated piece of Los Angeles' architectural heritage, the home remains an exemplary piece of postwar residential architecture and a testament to DeLong’s ability to adapt modernist principles to the Southern California environment.

Main House:
2 Bedrooms, 1Bathroom
1,059 SF

ADU:
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom
442 SF

Total Square Footage: 1,501
Lot Size: 9,168 SF

$2,658,000

Listing Agents:
Gia Casty, Compass
@castyliving
Ilana Gafni, Crosby Doe Associates
@ilanagafni

This video is a collaborative effort by Brian Linder, AIA (The Value Of Architecture), Mark H. Mendez (@MarkHMendez), and Luis Flores of Rolmex Studios (@luis__f).
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#losangelesarchitecture #modernarchitecture #midcenturymodern #mcm