Richard Neutra’s ‘Darling House’ in Parnassus Heights asks $2.2 million

It’s a red-letter day when a Richard Neutra house lands on the market in San Francisco. And today is that day.

Homes designed by the modernist architect are abundant in the Los Angeles area, but there are only five in San Francisco—scratch that, there are now only four in San Francisco; one of Neutra’s creations was illegally razed in 2017—with a few down the Peninsula and in the East Bay.

Neutra built the house at 90 Woodland Avenue for Dr. Darling and his family in 1937. It’s now on the market for the first time in 81 years. The two-story hillside abode was one of Neutra’s first wood sheathed homes noted for its horizontal redwood siding and painted steel casement windows. The interiors boast mirrored, glass walls that reflect views of downtown San Francisco and nearby Mt. Sutro.

Built in 1937, it features three bedrooms, one and one-half baths, 3,711 square feet, extra bonus room/den, and full basement area, and decks off the master bedroom.

“The history of this home makes it truly a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Mary Edwards of Coldwell Banker. “One of my favorite parts of the home are the backyard steps, which were constructed by the homeowner and his son. Dr. Darling carved the names of friends he lost in World War II and the dates they passed some of the steps.”

This property could be remodeled to your own style and taste—let us pray for the future owner(s) to practice restraint—or restored to Neutra’s original modernist vision.

Asking is $2.2 million.

• 90 Woodland Avenue [Mary Edwards and Linda Gridley of Coldwell Banker]
• Famed modernist home’s demolition sparks outrage [Curbed SF]