In the hills of Glendale’s Chevy Chase Canyon, one of Southern California’s most unique homes is on the market. The Derby House — designed in 1926 by Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright — is listed at $2,495,000 with Brian Courville at Compass.
With five bedrooms and three baths spread across 3,281 square feet, the home is a living example of California’s early architectural experimentation, one that still resonates nearly a century later.
The Derby House is one of the earliest surviving examples of concrete textile block construction, a technique pioneered by Frank Lloyd Wright and later refined by his son.
These patterned blocks — evocative of ancient Mayan temples — allowed architecture to become both structure and ornament. Designated a National and Glendale Landmark, the property also carries Mills Act designation, providing significant tax incentives for preservation.
Property details
- Price: $2,495,000
- Address: 2535 E Chevy Chase Dr, Glendale, CA 91206
- Architect: Lloyd Wright, 1926
- Specs: 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- 3,281 square feet
- Lot size: 1.52 acres
- Designation: National & Glendale Landmark | Mills Act Designated
Sculptural design rooted in history
The house was conceived as both residence and sculpture, each block hand-cast to filter light and cast rhythmic shadows that shift throughout the day.
From the outside, its bold geometry immediately recalls the monumental presence of pre-Columbian architecture. Inside, that vision translates into soaring vertical spaces, cathedral-like windows, and an interplay of concrete, glass, and wood.
Lloyd Wright’s standout architectural elements
Highlights of Wright’s design artistry, visible throughout the Glendale home, include:
- Wrought iron railings inspired by agave leaves, tying the house back to its canyon surroundings
- Custom stonework referencing Navajo textile motifs, merging regional culture with modernist materiality
- Patinated woodwork and theatrical metal inlays, echoing the drama of 1920s Los Angeles
- Interior walls once gilded in gold paint, designed to capture and refract California’s abundant sunlight
A dramatic interior made for spectacle
Inside, the Derby House delivers the kind of stage-like drama that defined Los Angeles in the 1920s. A soaring two-story living room features an 8-foot wrought-iron fireplace gate, while tall cathedral-style windows flood the interiors with natural light.
A hexagonal dining room and a high balcony library add architectural rhythm, while the mezzanine level creates layers of perspective — a device later echoed in the works of Frank Lloyd Wright himself.
Rich mix of concrete, wood, and glass
This rich mix of concrete, wood, and glass creates an atmosphere that is as theatrical as it is livable, offering plenty of opportunities for a future owner to restore and reinterpret.
From Wright legacy to California modernism
The Derby House is often cited alongside Frank Lloyd Wright’s textile block homes like the Ennis House (famously featured in Blade Runner), the Freeman House, and the Storer House. But Lloyd Wright wasn’t simply carrying on his father’s legacy — he was pushing the technique forward.
He even patented his own version of the textile block system, later using it in other iconic projects such as the now-infamous John Sowden House in Los Feliz. The Derby House, named for its first owner James Derby, remains one of his most important early commissions and a vital link in the evolution of West Coast architecture.
A property with architecture pedigree and ample potential
Set on a 1.5-acre lot in Chevy Chase Canyon, the house is surrounded by gently undulating terrain, shaded corners, and quiet clearings that add to its atmospheric presence. Many of its original details remain intact, making this a rare chance for a new owner to restore a property of national architectural significance.
As listing agent Brian Courville notes:
“The Derby House is one of the most important architectural offerings to come to market in recent years — not just for its connection to Lloyd Wright and the early textile block era, but for the integrity of its original details. Opportunities like this are incredibly rare. It’s a legacy property waiting for the right visionary to restore and reimagine it for the next century.”
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