From being featured on The Remodelista List, “20 Architects, Tastemakers, and Designers to Watch in 2023,” to being featured in Architectural Digest and ELLE Décor, architect and designer Patrick Bernatz Ward has become our local favorite. Known for his elegant reinterpretation of “Old California” style, his ability to retain the essence of an architectural bygone era and bring the home into the now is timeless. His wonderfully reimagined personal residence, originally built in 1890 as a spec home, is on the market. It’s a stunning residence. And we’re all about it.
When Patrick and his wife first saw this Pyramidal Victorian-style home in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, it was in a state of neglect—think no foundation, garbage everywhere, and abandoned cars. However, they saw potential. The three-bedroom house stands on an impressive one-third-acre lot surrounded by olive trees, pepper plants, and century-old palms with stunning panoramic city views of the Los Angeles basin.
The Local Project writes, “Patrick approached the project carefully, stripping away its neglected layers while seamlessly weaving a contemporary extension into the original structure. The restoration integrated the home with its surroundings. A palette of local materials, such as lime-washed plaster, stained redwood louvres, terracotta tiles, sycamore panelling and Californian granite, all echo the surrounding landscape and harmonise the home’s historic charm with its restoration.”
It’s worth recognizing that Patrick completed his formal architectural education at the University of Southern California (USC). USC is the same institution that honed the architectural minds of the architects we admire and revere today. “His sense of composition and choice of materiality is heavily influenced by his California roots and the desire to use materials to create an American vernacular.” We’re guessing this is why he didn’t shy away from such a project.
The single-story residence, measuring 1,983 square feet, opens to dappling light streaming through the many restored and new windows. Throughout, old world meets modern day. Features range from high ceilings, a vintage-looking cast-iron, wood-burning fireplace, and a wraparound leather sectional that Patrick designed for the living room.
A warm color palette and custom millwork evoke the spirit of the Arts and Crafts movement. The reworked galley-style kitchen has black walnut custom cabinetry and reclaimed floor tiles. Perfectly placed windows in the dining area capture stunning views of downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Park Observatory, and beyond. The primary bedroom offers an en-suite bathroom with a sunken bathtub, merging with the outdoors.
The home stands on a sprawling double lot with a winding driveway leading to numerous gardens and entertaining areas, where you can enjoy the seamless indoor-outdoor flow of California living. Listed for $1,800,000.
