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1024 Armada Drive

Pasadena, CA 91103
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$4,599,000 $19,389/Mo
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Bed 5

Bed

Bath 5

Bath

SqFt5,307

Sqft

SqFt13,873

Sqft(Lot)

The Gell-Mann Residence: William E. Blurock Architect. Set gently into the tree-lined edge of the Arroyo Seco, this two-story mid-century modern residence was built in 1956 and designed by California modernist architect William E. Blurock, FAIA, whose career shaped landmark civic and educational buildings across the state and around the world. Believed to be one of only a few private homes he ever designed, this striking mid-century residence is quietly tucked behind mature landscaping within Pasadena's storied, National Register-listed Prospect Historic District.The five-bedroom, five-bathroom home is anchored by an aspirational reverse floor plan that lifts the main gathering spaces to the upper level, where soaring living-room ceilings, a copper-clad fireplace, and a bespoke mid-century light fixture stretching the entire length of the living room wash the interiors in a welcoming, warm light. Custom millwork and walls clad in walnut and maple lend a natural richness to the residence. Walls of glass and a second-story balcony frame sweeping views of the Rose Bowl and surrounding canyons. A dramatic open-plan stairway becomes a sculptural centerpiece for the home, animated by inset colored-glass panels and highlighted by an architectural railing wrapped in wood and cork flooring.Below, the floor plan opens around a serene zen-style garden and an expansive pool, with a private pool house/guest studio completing a resort-like retreat built for modern California living. Flagstone, stucco and a subdued facade let the house belong effortlessly among the district's Craftsman and period-revival landmarks.The home carries a remarkable provenance as the longtime residence of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Murray Gell-Mann, who lived here during his most creative years at Caltech. The scientist who named the "quark" and reorganized our understanding of the building blocks of matter found his home in a house designed, quite literally, to lift its inhabitants toward the light and the view.More than a home, this is a rare convergence of California modernism, landscape, craftsmanship and intellectual history. Square footage was measured by PlantLab LA: House only-6006, Garage-454, Studio-153. Buyers to verify all permitted and possibly unpermitted spaces. The residence is ready to write its next chapter.

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Detail Ic Property Details

Property Type : Residential

Price : $4,599,000

AD Id : 90491167

MLS Id : 26896313

Beds : 5

Lot Size : 13,873 Sqft

Living Area Size : 5,307

Year Built : 1956

County : Los Angeles

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Feature Features

  • Bedroom Information

    Total beds: 5

    Bathroom Information

    Total Baths: 5 Full Baths: 5

    Flooring Information

    Carpet, Wood

  • Interior Features

    UtilityRoom, Workshop
    Appliances: Dishwasher, Disposal, Refrigerator, Dryer, Washer

  • Heating & Cooling

    Has Heating: Yes Heating: Central Has Cooling: Yes Cooling: CentralAir

  • Building Information

    Year Built: 1956
    Building Area Total: 5307
    Stories: 2
    Pool Features: InGround
    Private Pool: No

  • Lot Information

    Lot Dimensions: 81x171 Main Square Feet: 13873 Lot Size Acres: 0.3185 Lot Size Square Feet: 13,873

  • Listing Price Information

    Listing Price: $4599000

  • Tax Information

    Parcel Number: 5702023014

  • Location Information

    Direction: Orange Grove Blvd. to Prospect Blvd, left on Armada Dr..
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Nearby Home Value

Address Estimate Bed Bath Sq. Ft Lot Size
1969 N Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91103 $1,148,000 3 2 1,339 9,988 Sqft
2070 El Sereno, Pasadena, CA, 91103 $1,230,000 3 2 1,791 9,540 Sqft
925 N Marengo Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91103 $1,490,000 8 6 3,834 15,124 Sqft
1791 Navarro, Pasadena, CA, 91103 $999,900 3 1 1,665 10,013 Sqft
1622 Navarro, Pasadena, CA, 91103 $899,000 4 3 1,838 7,998 Sqft
55 W Washington Boulevard, Pasadena, CA, 91103 $1,279,000 3 2 1,397 5,993 Sqft
55 W Washington Boulevard, Pasadena, CA, 91103 $1,279,000 3 2 1,397 5,993 Sqft
119 W Washington, Pasadena, CA, 91103 $975,000 2 2 1,257 7,510 Sqft
284 Wyoming, Pasadena, CA, 91103 $775,000 2 1 548 3,119 Sqft
637 Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91103 $1,799,999 8 5 3,418 6,587 Sqft

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The information being provided by Miami Association of REALTORS® is for the consumer's personal, non-commercial use. Any information relating to real estate for sale referenced on this web site comes from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) program of the Miami Association of REALTORS®. The accuracy of all information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be personally verified through personal inspection by and/or with the appropriate professionals. The data contained herein is copyrighted by Miami Association of REALTORS® and is protected by all applicable copyright laws. Any unauthorized dissemination of this information is in violation of copyright laws and is strictly prohibited. Copyright 2026 Miami Association of REALTORS®. All rights reserved.

ByOwner last updated this listing 09/13/2026 @ 20:51

MLS: 26896313 LISTED BY: JB An Fung, Compass 310-652-6285 SOURCE: CRMLS

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