3347 Tareco Drive

Designed by Paul Revere Williams, AIAF in 1930, the same year that Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) opened its runways, this romantic Spanish Colonial revival home nestled near Lake Hollywood instantly touches the hearts of all who enter. The home is warm, relaxed, engaging, and quintessentially old Hollywood.

Architect Paul Revere Williams is known as one of the best California practitioners of revival architecture. His signature Spanish Colonial style lives and breathes in 3347 Tareco, which features 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with 3,862 sq. ft. of incredible original details throughout. This is a home with heart & heritage to grow on.

Architectural “revival styles” were the rage in Southern California before WWII. In 1930, when 3347 Tareco was built, All Quiet on the Western Front flickered in theaters that year, garnering Oscars for Best Picture and Director. By then, Paul Revere Williams was already recognized for his mastery of the revival genre. 3347 Tareco’s design includes red clay tile roof, and an abundance of multi-paned fixed and casement windows that are characteristic of William’s interpretation of Spanish Colonial Revival.

Williams was known for having an innate ability to make grand spaces cozy. The elegant and generously proportioned common areas of 3347 Tareco are signature to his work.

Williams’ homes attracted people with money and taste. Several of them were celebrities from Hollywood’s heyday. Williams built an elegant bachelor pad for Frank Sinatra when the singer was between marriages. Cary Grant, Lucille Ball and husband Desi Arnaz were clients. Williams designed St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis gratis, as a favor to his dear friend, Danny Thomas. In recent years, Denzel Washington, Ellen DeGeneres and Andy Garcia all have lived in Williams’ homes.

Paul Williams was the first black architect to become a member of the American Institute of Architects in 1923, and in 1957 he was inducted as the AIA’s first black fellow. By the time Williams died in 1980, he had created some 2,500 buildings, most of them in and around Los Angeles, but also around the globe.

“From the very first time I stepped into this house, I just felt it. I knew this was an artist’s house,” says actor Martin Durante, the current owner of 3347 Tareco. He came to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career and has appeared in multiple film and television projects.

Now at 88, “I don’t look back much,” he says. “What’s important to me is today and tomorrow.”

Music producer, Lance Freed also lived in 3347 Tareco. You’ll recognize the name, Lance is the son of legendary disc jockey, Alan Freed, who was known as the King of Rock and Roll for coining the phrase “rock and roll” in the early 1950s in reference to the mainstream radio music. Lance Freed made his mark in the music industry leading the creative team for Rondor Music International for over 35 years. Freed mentored writers like Will Jennings, Leo Sayer, Melissa Etheridge, Peter Allen, Gerry Goffin, and Bryan Adams. Under Freed’s leadership, Rondor Music received Grammys for From A Distance, Tears In Heaven, and My Heart Will Go On, and Oscar Best Song awards for Shaft, Arthur’s Theme, and My Heart Will Go On.

The graciously scaled formal living and dining rooms—both with hardwood floors, elaborate ceilings, and casement windows, draw attention to the sweeping views that can be enjoyed from every room.

This Hacienda Courtyard-style patio is representative of Williams, who designed comfort and beauty in his homes, inside and out. Multiple porches, and lush landscaping are all typical of Williams’ extended indoor/outdoor living spaces that have come to define California living.

Williams designed homes that had the look and feel of old California. 3347 Tareco incorporates exterior and interior stucco finishes, handmade tiles and brick, behind a vine-covered garden wall.

The natural setting that surrounds 3347 Tareco reaches into the view beyond. Williams’ design accentuates the 6,267 sq. ft. lot.

Custom wrought iron banisters and accents, and arched doorways were important historic elements that Williams used in his Spanish Colonial Revival homes. 3347 Tareco’s hardwood flooring, wood paneled ceilings, and extensive tile work are typical of Williams’ luxurious interior touches.

“Paul Williams was a wonderful architect,” says Martin Durante. “He really thought about where the sun was in relation to the house.”

“My favorite part of the house is the loggia. I love to come out here in the afternoon and have a little glass of wine and sit here and look at the beautiful view and drink in the sun. It’s so beautiful,” says Martin Durante. “It’s not just a balcony. It’s so interesting; the way it’s faced towards Santa Monica, Williams must of known that at different times of year, it’s always different. I’m so glad it’s here.”

Balconies and terraces complement Southern California’s moderate climate and outdoor enjoyment. This loggia extends from both the dining room and the foyer, increasing the continuous floor space.

“You know, it’s such an incredible house,” says Martin Durante. “The way it’s situated, every room has a view.”

The heart of the home. This kitchen combines period-style inspirations with modern function. A built-in banquette brings the family together.

Martin Durante’s family valued home and kitchen. The Durante Family has owned Ratto’s International Market, Established in 1897, in Oakland for four generations.

Martin’s Daughter now owns and operates the popular market.

3347 Tareco has 3 bedrooms upstairs and 3 bathrooms. Remarkably, there is a view from every room.

The generously appointed guest suite has a sitting room, bathroom, private kitchen, and dining space.

“You can hike to the Hollywood Reservoir from here and it’s wonderful. It’s like you’re in the country,” says Martin Durante. “Here we are in the middle of Hollywood and it’s rural. It’s fabulous,”

The Hollywood Reservoir, aka Lake Hollywood, is the crown of the neighborhood. Built in 1924, the reservoir and dam were designed by William Mulholland, Now one of the city’s great mountain hiking spots, it’s maintained by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The Hollywood sign overlooks the reservoir and surrounding neighborhood.

Joggers, walkers and bicyclists are drawn to Lake Hollywood’s recreational areas and hiking trails. The surrounding residential neighborhood has a rich history as the home of many members of the entertainment and motion picture industry. Jim Lampley, former KCBS-TV news anchor and network sportscaster of the Olympic Games and HBO Boxing, lived in 3347 Tareco from the late 1980s. He later married and moved in his wife, veteran journalist Bree Walker. Walker gained fame as the first TV news anchor with a rare genetic condition called ectrodactyly. She was highly-regarded as news anchor with CBS 2 in New York and with KCBS in Los Angeles from 1988 until 1994.

It was in 1990, when their scandalous romance came to light and played out on screen. They had fallen in love while co-anchoring the KCBS newscast, but both were still married to others. They were eventually married and anchored the news for several years as a married couple. Lampley’s and Walker’s marriage ended in divorce in 1999.

Notable for its glimmering views of Los Angeles, expensive homes, and celebrity inhabitants, Lake Hollywood has been called “Bel-Air East.”

Recent real estate activity includes the sale of Ashton Kutcher’s Lake Hollywood home. The 9,385-square-foot contemporary house with an infinity pool, a wine cellar, glass walls, and amazing views of the surrounding hills, sold for close to $10 million.

And Jimmy Kimmel recently listed his Lake Hollywood home where he lived from 2002 to 2009 (and has since been leasing out), for $2.29 million. Built in the 1940s, the 3,600-square-foot home features a home recording studio, where Kimmel conducted on-air interviews, as well as a cook’s kitchen and bar, and an outdoor kitchen featuring a pizza oven, barbecue, and smoker (Kimmel is an avid cook!). It also boasts 280-degree views of the Hollywood Hills, the city, and the valley.

“I’ve come to love Los Angeles,” says Martin Durante on passing 3347 Tareco to the next generation. “You know what I like about it? There’s lots of terrible things here, and there’s lots of wonderful things. It’s kind of the combination of the two that fascinates me. You get everything here in LA.”