Want to dip your toes in the world of collectible architecture?

I think it’s fair to say that if we polled a cross section of the designers whose work appears in this magazine and asked them who their fave residential designer is, the winner would be Richard Neutra. Sure, A few sentimental types might go for Frank Lloyd Wright, some local supporters might go for Arthur Erickson and a couple oddballs might go for John Lautner.

But Neutra’s star has been rising steadily for the past three decades to the extent that his Kaufmann House in Palm Springs has replaced Lloyd Wright’s rather difficult to get to Fallingwater (also built for the Kaufmann’s btw) as the architectural pilgrimage of our time.

So what if I said to you, you could shack up in one of Neutra’s famed LA homes for the same price as a 3-bedroom condo in Coal Harbour (okay, a really nice 3-bedroom condo in Coal Harbour)? Neutra’s compact (2bed/2 bath) Bonnet House hit the market last year at $1,800,000 and promptly sold. The new owners have now put the house on the rental market, presumably while they contemplate their next crazy expensive steps. Here’s the listing:

At the time of construction, this series of cubes angled into the hillside lot was widely hailed by critics in Architectural Record and Arts & Artists magazines. The 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom soon to be landmarked residence will be fully furnished with the owners€™ vintage collection, and is equipped with smart house technology inside and out. Living-dining areas expand through a mobile glass wall to the flagstone view deck. A recently landscaped yard extends from the corner windows of the master bedroom and terraces up behind the house to a flat area for outdoor living. Furnishings and artwork include: Gio Ponti, Knoll, Dunbar, Maison Jansen, Paul McCobb, Milo Baughman, Cesare Lacca, Vittorio Dassi, Salterini, Jean Royere, Gerald Thurston and Stilnuovo lighting, Giacometti sculpture, matching pair of Ward Bennet mohair sofas, and Luciano Frigerio queen brass beds with organic bespoke mattresses. The lower level bonus/media room includes an original Neutra bathroom. Inquire for availability.

You can see the full listing, with pics, here. But below are a few tasters to get you going.

Neal McLennan

Neal McLennan

Neal McLennan is the wine and spirits editor for Vancouver and Western Living magazines, where he susses out the wonderful (and occasionally weird) options for imbibing across Western Canada.