Jewel Box in the Sky

Images by Booker Preston

Having spent decades in the financial management industry, Jack decided it was time to give himself a little joy by way of a beautiful custom-built home and garage. Like so many projects, the concept took a little longer than expected, but was well worth the wait. And, like so many good garages, Jack wishes he’d built it just a little bit bigger.

“My dream was to look at the cars while relaxing in my living room, so I tried the showroom in the living room, but that didn’t work,” said Jack. “So, I did the next best thing.”

Purchasing two adjacent properties in the hills above Los Angeles and combining them afforded him plenty of land upon which to design and construct his dream home and garage. Hiring architect Philip John Brown, Jack was provided a modern-styled, open floor plan home with large windows lending to an airy feeling. Attached to the home is a four-car garage with two glass and steel doors; across the driveway is a detached six-car showroom-style garage boasting floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides nicely complementing both the design of the home and the attached garage. Affording him exceptional privacy and solitude, his property is in a small, gated community, and even then, a longish driveway sets the garages and home well off the road leading to his property.

“It’s nice up here, it can get a bit cold sometimes with the wind coming up the mountain, but I’m very happy,” he said. “The garages and the house are really never done, I keep finding things that need to be done, but it’s enjoyable and means there’s always something fresh and new.”

Inside the attached garage, a number of useful cabinets provide storage and practicality, as well as spaces large enough to accommodate vehicles such as his 2011 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. Otherwise a sparse area, the attached garage appears somewhat of a simple parking garage.

“I just haven’t really had the time to dedicate to orchestrating it the way I’d like to see it,” he said. “I have some ideas though.”

The detached space is much more obviously dedicated to enjoyment. Like a large, crystal jewel box set against a rich green mountain backdrop, the detached garage allows Jack a view of his cars while relaxing inside the house, and an impressive display for guests arriving for a visit.

“I’m very proud of both garages, they’re never done, but we’re getting close,” he said. “After 10-years, we’re finally nearing that place.”

Inside the showroom garage, a dedicated, glass-covered display case covers a wall and a half, housing an extensive collection of die cast toy cars. Jack has been collecting die cast for decades, and reckons he must have in the neighborhood of about 1,500 models.

“I have an inventory list on my BlackBerry so when I find a car I’m interested in I can check to make sure I don’t already have it,” he said. “I’ve done that; bought a car a couple of times before realizing I already had one.”

Along the back wall he has a built in a desk, chair, phone and basic essentials mainly used to work on the die cast cars when the need arises.

“Sometimes they break, they lose a wheel or a window pops out, and it’s fun and therapeutic in a way to work on these little cars,” he said.

Art is primarily devoted to the walls of the attached garage, mostly Concours d’Elegance posters. The floor, in both garages, is Ellis Maximus Epoxy and emulates the rock drive. Aside from a unique look, it’s also resistant to chemicals such as automotive oils and brake fluids, which makes it close to perfect. In order to truly drive home the showroom, museum feel, Jack hired a lighting engineer to create a proper mood, and enhance the colors of the cars.

“I spent a lot of time and money with that engineer. Essentially, different colors respond differently to certain lights, and these lights are supposed to enhance the colors,” he said. “I’m not sure exactly how it all works, but it’s interesting.”

Besides, when night falls, and the lights are on a lower setting, the garages cast an interesting glow amid the darkness. The lighting, enjoyed at night especially, is a special treat for people.

The two garages together measure out approximately 1,500-square feet. The showroom garage is a perfect size for the elongated, hillside property, and provides just enough space for six cars in a pinch, but is usually home to about four. Jack’s collection includes a number of Ferraris, Porsches, Fords, Rolls-Royces, Cadillacs and Bentleys, 40 cars in all, meaning he still utilizes a garage offsite.

“No matter how big you build it, you’re going to need or want more space,” Jack laughed.