William Alexander Levy, Architect | Hangover House, circa 1937

The Richard Halliburton House, better known as the Hangover House, was designed circa 1937 by architect William Alexander Levy and remains one of Southern California’s most unusual early modern residences.

Built for writer and adventurer Richard Halliburton, the house is positioned approximately 600 feet above the Pacific Ocean on a dramatic South Laguna hillside. Its concrete-and-steel construction, broad coastal outlook, and rooftop terrace give the residence a striking relationship to both landscape and horizon.

The main level contains two bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, with a lower-level guest suite below. An original spiral staircase leads to the rooftop deck, where 360-degree views extend along the coast and inland toward Aliso Canyon. A steel-casement window at the roof serves as a wind screen, allowing the elevated terrace to function as an outdoor room for dining and gathering.

The structure has undergone substantial restoration, including reinforcement of the original concrete and steel along with new plumbing and electrical systems. The remaining work is concentrated primarily in the kitchen, bathrooms, and lower guest suite, creating an opportunity for the next steward to complete the residence with sensitivity to its architectural character.

The offering also includes the neighboring approximately 10,000-square-foot parcel, with approved plans by Los Angeles architect Marc Whipple for a 1,149-square-foot contemporary concrete-and-glass guest house and an infinity-edge pool linking the two residences.

Featured in Architectural Record in 1938, the Hangover House is widely recognized as an important early work of modern residential architecture in Southern California. Its combination of reinforced concrete, steel, dramatic siting, and panoramic coastal views gives it a singular place in the region’s architectural history.

William Alexander Levy, Architect
Richard Halliburton | Hangover House, circa 1937
31172 Ceanothus Dr
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms
2,462 SF
Approx. 20,000 SF Lot
Includes neighboring approx. 10,000 SF parcel

Listed at $7,500,000

Listed by Jeff Walker
Agents of Architecture, Inc.