From the nifty ‘50s, with improvements

At a glance, this renovated midcentury home appears to have a 52-acre backyard. But the yard isn’t that big. The house, on an 11,875-square-foot lot, backs up to a preserve.

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy formally dedicated the land in 2004 as the Briar Summit Open Space Preserve. Briar Summit also is the name of an enclave next to the preserve.

In 1957, developer Jack Okean purchased 19 lots in the tract, which he sold for development. He built this house on a cul-de-sac in 1959 and lived in it until the late ‘60s.

During a 2004 renovation, the homeowners found mail addressed to Okean at their Briar Summit address. The renovation was a collaboration between the owners and New York City-based Zekio Dawson of Interior Therapy.

The home, in the Mulholland corridor, is a few minutes from the studios and Sunset Strip.

Among its noteworthy features are a game/media room, double shower, soaking tub, outdoor gym, multilevel deck with fire pit, lagoon-style pool with spa and guest studio with steam shower.

About the sellers: The home is owned by Keith Naftaly and Nathaniel Bisson.

Naftaly is a senior vice president of artists and repertoire with Sony BMG Music Entertainment, working with artists on the Columbia and Epic labels. He got his start in the music business as a program director for radio stations in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Bisson is a writer and consultant specializing in publishing. He was previously creative services director at Scholastic Inc., where he led campaigns that launched the Harry Potter novels in the U.S.

Asking price: $2,549,000

Size: There are three bedrooms plus a detached guest studio and 2 1/2 bathrooms in about 2,806 square feet.

Features: The main house has an open kitchen and living area. The 22-foot-high ceilings are beamed, and there is a river-rock fireplace. The guest studio opens to an outdoor dining area and the pool. There is also a guest suite with a spa bath.

Where: Hollywood Hills

Listing agent: M. Kathryn Shafer, Windermere Properties, Sunset Boulevard, (310) 432-5246.

To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, please send color interior and exterior images with caption information on a CD and a description of the house, including what makes the property unusual, to Ruth Ryon, Real Estate section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; or e-mail [email protected].