A Contemporary Artist’s Serene Retreat in Bel Air Can Be Yours for $16.5 Million

When Cuban-born artist Enrique Martínez Celaya picked up a traditional 1950s home in the posh Bel Air enclave of Los Angeles a little more than seven years ago, it was overdue for a dose of TLC. He subsequently embarked on an all-out reimagination of the premises, and now the beguiling home has returned to the market. Adam Rosenfeld and Jon Grauman of The Agency hold the listing.

First put up for sale this past spring at nearly $18 million, the place is now going for a discounted $16.5 million. And though that’s a whopping $12.7 million and change over what the Cuban-born painter, sculptor, author, and former laser physicist paid in early 2018, he did incorporate more than his share of snazzy upgrades—think top-notch surveillance, audio, and music systems, just for starters.

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Tucked away on a dual-access parcel of land spanning over two acres, the gated property features a ranch-style main home that opens to the picturesque grounds via floor-to-ceiling French doors in almost every room and several ancillary structures, for a combined total of roughly 3,800 square feet.

Highlights within the five-bedroom, five-bath primary dwelling include a spacious great room resting beneath a soaring, whitewashed wood-beam ceiling. A dining area sits on one side, while a bar nook on the other end connects to a cozy library boasting a floor-to-ceiling gray brick fireplace surrounded by built-in bookshelves. A window-lined kitchen comes with custom cabinetry, an eat-in island, a pricey French Lacanche range, additional Miele and Thermador appliances, and a breakfast nook.

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Among the other perks are a family room and an office, plus a light-filled primary bedroom spotlighted by a pebble-tiled bath equipped with a large freestanding soaking tub and a walk-in shower. Stationed elsewhere are the aforementioned ancillary structures, which encompass an art studio, a guest bungalow, a writing house, and a trio of utility sheds.

Rounding it all out are lush, fully fenced outdoor environs hosting a pool and spillover spa, as well as multiple areas decked out for alfresco gatherings with a pizza oven, barbecue, and fire pits. Pathways also wind their way through fruit tree-laced gardens dotted with eye-catching offerings, like the owner’s nearly 13-foot-tall, one-ton bronze sculpture “The Well” from his collection titled “The Tears of Things,” revolving around journey, risk, and transformation.

On a final note: Though none of the artwork on display is offered for individual sale, there is an agricultural-grade fire suppression system on the land for that all-important peace of mind.

Click here for more photos of the Bel Air residence.