About the house

Designed in 1937 for St. Louis socialite Grace Lewis Miller by architect Richard Neutra, the house was to act as both a home and a studio in which to teach her series of functional excercises, called the “Mensendieck System of Functional Exercise”.  Upon completion the house garnered much acclaim, was published extensively even winning first prize in the House Beautiful’s annual Small House Competition.  Photos of the house were displayed at the Museum of Modern Art which also featured them in a traveling exhibition about modern architecture.

Mrs. Miller delighted in the house and in 1938 asked Mr. Neutra to draw up some plans for a guest house where her two sons could stay when visiting.  Though the plans were drawn up the addition was never completed, the current owner realized the project in 2007 adhering where possible to the original design.  The guest house will available for short vacation rentals beginning in March 2019.

Sadly, Mrs. Miller’s plan to use her teachings to sustain her desert lifestyle during the winter months was unsustainable.  She left the house during the war years and afterwards sold it to the owner of The Racquet Club, Charlie Farrell, who used it as an annex for his friends to stay in.  Through the years it changed hands more than 6 times and eventually fell into complete disrepair.

When the current owner, Catherine Meyler--a location agent based in Los Angeles, bought the house in 2000 it was completely uninhabitable.  She spent a year removing all the terrible additions and bringing the house up to code including a new roof, new electrical system, new plumbing and a custom-designed HVAC system.  Finally receiving her Certificate of Occupancy in October 2001 she moved in and has been slowly restoring the house ever since.  

BEFORE RESTORATION & CONSTRUCTION

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