Michael "Flea" Balzary is making another push to part ways with his striking, architecturally significant hillside compound in the La Crescenta foothills. The legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist is currently asking $5.75 million for the sprawling 5.7-acre property, located in an unincorporated community just north of Glendale and about 20 miles from downtown Los Angeles.
The latest asking price marks a significant shift from early 2022, when the musician first listed the eclectic estate for nearly $9.8 million. At that time, Flea was fresh off acquiring a $14 million Beverly Hills residence and already owned a petite retreat in the exclusive Malibu Colony. After more than four and a half years on the market, which included multiple price reductions and a brief stint as a rental property, the bassist has adjusted his expectations, bringing the property down to a more competitive figure.
Even with the steep discount, the new asking price sits about $1.5 million higher than the $4.25 million Flea paid for the compound in 2018. That initial acquisition brought him into ownership of a property previously held by contemporary artists Lari Pittman and Roy Dowell. Furthermore, the higher price tag reflects tangible upgrades made during the musician’s tenure, including an 875-square-foot subterranean addition completed in 2021, alongside a swimming pool and an auxiliary cabin added to the grounds in 2020. Jett Gelber of Crosby Doe Associates currently holds the listing for the property.
Perched high in the foothills and bordered by the rugged expanse of the Angeles National Forest, the hilltop compound is sequestered down a lengthy, private driveway. The estate encompasses roughly 5,186 square feet of combined living space anchored by two primary architectural dwellings. The first is a striking white stucco and glass main residence designed in 2009 by prominent Los Angeles-based architect Michael Maltzan. The second is a classic 1950s midcentury modern home originally crafted by celebrated architect Richard Neutra for his secretary, Dorothy Serulnic, and her husband, George.
In addition to the two main architectural masterpieces, the expansive grounds feature a standalone one-bedroom cabin clad entirely in warm redwood, an outdoor movie pavilion equipped for large-scale entertaining, and panoramic vistas of surrounding mountain ranges and glittering city lights from nearly every vantage point.
The main residence, originally commissioned by artists Pittman and Dowell, is a seven-sided structural tour de force that wraps organically around a central courtyard. The design seamlessly incorporates Michael Maltzan’s recent subterranean expansion. The masterwork has earned widespread architectural acclaim, having been featured prominently in Architectural Record and capturing a trio of design awards from the American Institute of Architects.
Inside the Maltzan-designed main house, standout features include a primary bedroom suite anchored by a dramatic, curvilinear bathroom finished in penny tiles. The geometric floor plan also accommodates a dedicated home office, a cozy den, and a vast array of clever, custom built-in storage solutions designed to maximize both form and function.
Outdoors, the entertainment-focused grounds cater to a sophisticated California lifestyle. A 50-foot Johnston Vidal lap pool cuts a clean line against the natural landscape, while the outdoor movie pavilion provides a versatile venue for gatherings, complete with an integrated wind screen and a fully outfitted catering kitchen designed to support large-scale events.
A short distance away stands the historic Dorothy Serulnic Residence, a masterclass in midcentury modernism. The original 1,350-square-foot abode contains two bedrooms and a full bath, all meticulously restored. Expansive walls of glass blur the distinction between the interior living spaces and the surrounding natural environment, while a classic stone fireplace anchors the main living area.
True to Richard Neutra’s signature style, custom built-ins are integrated throughout the Serulnic residence. These include a sophisticated sofa system complete with an integrated record player and concealed speakers, multiple bespoke desks, extensive shelving units, a fixed dining table, a clever sliding breakfast table, and a custom vanity.
A previous listing agent aptly described the entire property as looking "literally like your own midcentury space station right here in Los Angeles." Rather than functioning as a standard suburban home, the compound operates more like a multisensory artistic retreat—a fitting environment for a musician whose career has been defined by creative exploration and artistic reinvention.
Flea, who continues to tour and record with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has maintained a prolific creative schedule away from his primary band. Earlier this year, he released his debut solo album, Honora, which highlights his distinct musical voice through the jazz trumpet. As he looks toward his next chapter, the sale of the La Crescenta compound offers a rare opportunity for an architecture enthusiast to acquire a truly one-of-a-kind pairing of modernist history and contemporary design.
