The subliminal. Does it have a place in architecture? While literature traffics in metaphor and art in symbol, can a structure also carry something quieter—an emotional undercurrent felt more than seen? Developer Hemal Patel thinks so. “I’m a big believer in details that are felt before they’re seen,” he says. “Things people might not consciously register at first, but somehow, they sense.”
That philosophy begins at the threshold of 879 Linda Flora Drive, a reimagined estate astride the western hills of Bel-Air. Designed in collaboration with architectural firm AADS, the property sits at the end of a 250-foot driveway, slowly revealing itself as you descend. The first impression is deliberate: a traditional gabled silhouette. “I wanted that classic shape a child would draw,” Patel explains. “It speaks to a universal idea of home, of comfort. People recognize it instinctively, even if they don’t know why. It’s a subtle signal that this is a place meant to put you at ease.”
Inside, that quiet dialogue between design and perception continues. Travertine is used generously, grounding the space with a warm, textural rhythm. It appears underfoot, wraps the fireplace, and forms the spine of the home in a dramatic central wall. The stone’s pale, glowing surface offers more than tactile luxury, it also recalls a cultural landmark visible just across the ravine—the Getty Museum. The reference is unspoken but unmistakable. It’s not just a material echo, but an atmospheric one—anchoring the home in its unique place on the hillside.
In further homage to the museum’s spirit, molding is almost entirely absent. What might seem at first like a nod to minimalist aesthetics is actually a showcase of technical rigor. Call it addition by subtraction. Every edge, joint and transition has been executed with meticulous precision—no baseboards needed to hide misalignments or flaws. In the entry hall, an archway slices through the central travertine wall without a single bead of trim. Each crisp line stands exposed, a quiet demonstration of craftsmanship designed for the observant.
And those who do take the time to observe are richly rewarded. A closer look reveals beveled Calcutta marble countertops that hover just above sleek Molteni&C Dada cabinetry, separated by the thinnest shadow line. A hand might trace the nearly invisible gap, but without close inspection, the illusion of floating stone remains intact. Shelving, backed with a blend of spandex and mesh, diffuses LED light into a soft ambient glow—less like artificial illumination, more like morning light filtered through linen.
“A great home should be like a great movie,” Patel muses. “You discover deeper layers the more time you spend with it.”
Of course, some features must be seen before they can be felt. Take the view: a sweeping, cinematic panorama of Los Angeles, framed with intention.“It’s funny,” says Patel, “when somebody walks into the home for the first time, they’re always wowed by the view, which I had nothing to do with.” But that’s only partly true. While the vista may be natural, the way it’s revealed is no accident. Patel and AADS carefully choreographed it. Large-scale glass doors, which initially look like picture windows, pivot open in near silence to let the vista speak. Floating vanity mirrors are angled to reflect the hillside beyond. A motorized TV recedes into the fireplace, stepping aside to let the vista speak.
The result is a sanctuary that soothes rather than shouts—though there’s no shortage of features worth mentioning. There’s a climate-controlled wine cellar, a travertine pool and a tennis court tucked just beyond view. A short path leads to a detached guest house—more than 3,400 square feet of wellness-focused living. Two south-facing en-suite bedrooms open to a glass-wrapped fitness pavilion complete with gym, sauna, steam room and massage suite.
Priced at $19.99 million, the listing for 879 Linda Flora Drive is held by Damaso Lara, Nick Segal and David Yadegaran of Carolwood Estates.
Carolwood Estates is a member of Forbes Global Properties, an invitation-only network of top-tier brokerages worldwide and the exclusive real estate partner of Forbes.
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