The Radical House From 'Less Than Zero' Is for Sale

While 1987's film version of Less Than Zero may be best remembered for starring a fresh-faced James Spader and its portrayal of '80s privilege and excess, the Los Angeles architectural wonder that served as the backdrop for many scenes is hard to forget. And if you've got $7.5 million ready to blow, it could be yours, because it's back on the market for the first time in four decades.

It was designed by famed contemporary architect John Lautner, whose portfolio of work around the Los Angeles area has clocked more camera time than many moviestars; he designed Jackie Treehorn's crib, the space-age Palm Springs lair featured in Diamonds Are Forever, the UFO-esque disc house in Body Double, and even inspired the look and feel of Tony Stark's residence. However, this one, known as Silvertop, has been considered one of his crowning achievements. 

The ultra-modern, 4,700-square foot home, which broke ground in 1957, was commissioned by LA industrialist (and woman's hair clip tycoon) Kenneth Reiner, carrying an initial budget of $75,000. However, due to many unconventional touches requested by Reiner himself including automatic skylights and a preposterous-sounding airflow-less temperature control system, that cost rose to $1 million.

All of Reiner's requests were for nothing, though; following a prolonged legal battle with his business partner, he was forced to declare bankruptcy and sadly couldn't pay to have his dream home finished. Eventually, a new owner swooped in and paid to finish construction.

Perched in the hills of Silver Lake on a contiguous six lots, the whole spread is treated to sweeping views, which are only exaggerated by the maze of windows and reflective surfaces throughout.

Okay. 

It's hard not to imagine the parade of personalities and parties that have roared through the driveway in the last 40 years. 

How many idyllic sunsets and hazy sunrises have been watched from right here?

*Cue jaw drop*

If you do pony up the dough and move in, you will no doubt have some hangers-on. It's cool though, since there's a separate guest house where you can keep them out of your hair. 

Complete with its own kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and, oddly enough, a darkroom. 

For shorter-term houseguests, you have three bedrooms in the main residence (though you get dibs on this big one with its own fireplace).

And four bathrooms, including this baller, marble-soaked, spa-caliber spot.

Outdoors, you have your pick of poolside lounging or going toe-to-toe on the private tennis court, which is tucked just out of sight below.

Quality quiet time shouldn't be hard to come by, either, seeing as inside you have your pick of both a library and study.

But why the hell would you ever go inside when this is the alternative?


Joe McGauley is a senior editor at Supercompressor. He'd love to know what sort of debauchery went down here on account of young Downey, Jr. and Spader.