Suspended above the Pacific in Palos Verdes Estates, the Murphy Residence is one of the rare surviving examples of late California Modernism in original condition. Designed in 1971 by the architectural partnership Smith, Heaton & Jones, the nearly 5,000-square-foot home captures a moment when Modernism had matured, when structure became sculpture, and light itself was a design material. Commissioned and still held by the original owner, the residence has remained untouched for more than five decades. Its redwood-lined ceilings, handcrafted decorative tile, and original fixtures remain intact, offering a pure expression of its era. Every surface, angle, and proportion reflects the architect’s intent, preserved rather than reinterpreted. Adding to its architectural significance, the complete original plans and drawings remain in the owner’s possession, providing a rare blueprint for accurate and effortless restoration. For those who value authenticity, this continuity between architect and original owner is extraordinary; offering the next custodian both historical context and design clarity. Influenced by contemporaries such as John Lautner and Quincy Jones, Smith, Heaton & Jones designed the Murphy Residence with commanding geometry and organic flow: cantilevered volumes reaching toward the horizon, walls of glass merging with sea and sky, and a harmonic rhythm of wood, concrete, and light that grounds the home in both landscape and legacy.
Perched above a 180-degree panorama of the Pacific, the property remains one of the few untouched works of its kind in Southern California. For the collector who views architecture as art, it represents a singular opportunity to restore and preserve a genuine piece of design history.
Located within one of Los Angeles’ most prestigious enclaves, with ample space for a pool or sculptural landscape, the Murphy Residence offers not just privacy and beauty but the chance to carry forward an unbroken architectural story that began in 1971. To own it is to hold a piece of California’s modernist soul, authentic, intact, and waiting to be reawakened.
2329 Via Olivera is a Residential Single Family Residence property located in Palos Verdes Estates, California, featuring a 0.405 acre lot, 4,221 sqft, 6 bedrooms, 5 full baths, MLS #PV25259695.
Based on information from one of the following Multiple Listing Services: CRMLS. Information being provided is for the visitor’s personal, noncommercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties visitor may be interested in purchasing. The data contained herein is copyrighted by Trestle and is protected by all applicable copyright laws. Any dissemination of this information is in violation of copyright laws and is strictly prohibited. Property information referenced on this web site comes from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) program of the MLS. This web site may reference real estate listing(s) held by a brokerage firm other than the broker and/or agent who owns this web site. All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources, is approximate, and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. For the avoidance of doubt, the accuracy of all information, regardless of source, is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be personally verified through personal inspection by and/or with the appropriate professionals. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. No guarantee, warranty or representation of any kind is made regarding the completeness or accuracy of such measurements.
Data last modified: 2025-11-14 14:16:47