It is dubbed the Stoner Residence, a mid-century modern masterpiece from architect Ray Kappe. And the conservationist nonprofit Docomomo—using its Southern California chapter—is leading a charge to save the space from demolition.
What is the Stoner Residence—and why is it important?
Located at 5679 E. Corso Di Napoli in the neighborhood of Naples, Kappe’s masterpiece doesn’t look as intended.
Slightly unkempt, the structure can easily look archaic to those without the “eyes for the bones,” as many say when it comes to older homes. Sold in 2021 for $4.4M, it is the first of three residences Kappe would build in Naples across his career. It joins the Penn/Crowell House, built in 1976, and the George Padgett Residence at 5610 Naples Canal, which was built in 1987 and is still owned by the family.
But those with a love of mid-century modern aesthetics will immediately see its beauty. Traditional mid-mod notes of blending indoor and outdoor elements—with Kappe literally funneling a palm tree through the structure’s southeast corner—are weaved in an environment contradictory to Kappe’s historical landscape of choice.
The man often preferred rugged terrain à la Frank Llyod Wright, where structures were woven landscapes that seemed unfit for human architecture and design. Think Pacific Palisades. On a hill in Brentwood. Rustic Canyon—the neighborhood, not the restaurant—in Santa Monica. Naples represents a different terrain for Kappe’s work—and it helps explain why nearly a thousand who have signed the petition to save it have done so.
Escalating with historic preservation: Its pros and cons.
In one of the most fascinating intros I’ve ever had the honor of hearing, a professor at Cal State Fullerton asked his class attending their “History of Orange County” course about the irony of the course’s headliner description. And it was the fact that “Orange County doesn’t have an actual history because we tear it down in the name of something new.”
It’s very much akin to American idealism and innovation: The newest of the world’s superpowers, we don’t have castles with centuries of stories or architectural world wonders that like of Egypt. Instead, we have more modern marvels—the Empire State Building, Union Station—and that sense of “in with the new” stayed with us. We sought consistent innovation in architecture and, at our own behest, persistently demolished anything we deemed old.
When Oct. 28, 1963 came, the demolition of Penn Station—the early 20th-century architectural masterpiece beloved by generations of New Yorkers—was met with horror and dismay. And it was to such an extent that it helped the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which had been around since 1949, grow into an influence it has never been before. The result? A focal shift from individual, venerable buildings to entire neighborhoods.
And the result of that? Stronger and stronger regulations to build new housing. While some preservationist ideals are true to their cause—to protect historical, cultural relevance—others use the “historic” designation to block new housing and actually hinder historical preservation.
Demolition? Are they crazy? Advertise this in Palm Springs and Los Angeles Homes. THIS MUST BE PRESERVED!!!!
Yes! It’s a classic and needs to be preserved. I grew up in the Shore and later Naples and I was in school with Sharon Stoner. I know she had siblings but didn’t know them. Maybe older brothers? A kind and creative family. Where do I sign the petition?
Why not buy newer property to bulldoze? Would be community service to get rid of those mcMansions. Money can’t buy taste I suppose.
Preserve this icon!
Why should Long Beach residents lift a finger to save an expensive piece of private property on Naples Island? It’s not like we’ll ever even see the inside of it.
because preserving historical architecture is important.
Why is it important?
PRESERVE!! This has always been my favorite house in Naples
Ruth, I get it, who cares what a rich person does with their expensive house. The issue is if we don’t care about the most unique and interesting designs, and everything has a life span of 30-50 years, everything is disposable, which is environmentally bad and there’s no architectural history. Even those of us that can’t afford to live on Naples, but take walks regularly there experience a degraded version filled with only new mcMansions.
When this house was first built, it was on the cover of the Los Angeles Times home magazine.
Why should others dictate what they don’t own. I’m insulted by the new mustang Mach E. We should remove them from the driveway and streets.
My thoughts are not more important than yours. If you want it then go ahead and buy it.
Someone brought this property and wants something different on the lot. I do not personally like what residents are choosing to rebuild on these lots … often things designed by the contractor or a “designer” at an architectural firm… but, short of telling everyone what they can build, I do not see interfering with what the owner wants to build. Are we the Pretty Police? When a building is declared an architectural or historic property, it gets its property taxes lowered with the idea that old buildings need a lot of upgrades and maintenance and it would be important to make this happen with historic landmarks. This home was built in 2021, for heaven’s sake!! It does not need the tax breaks. I like it but I did not buy it. Either we police people’s home choices or we don’t. It is not wise to pick and choose. We remodeled our family home in Belmont Shore using a very good and well known architect. The new home was three stories, 1800sq.ft, and when it sold, it sold for the same amount that homes twice its size sold for. Good design is worth something. However the new owners “remodeled” the home, taking out all the passive and active solar heating and cooling that the architect had designed into the home. They reconfigured the spaces to look like a new home in Architectural Digest. sigh. They took out the beautiful classic custom cabinetry and replaced it with inoperable windows, stone covered walls, air conditioning etc.. It was really their business because it was their home. People do strange things with beautiful homes all the time. So? Does that make them historical landmarks? Unfortunately, no. I love mid-century modern architecture but if I do not own this home; I can’t have a say in what the owner does with this property… period. I currently own a 100 year old, very large triplex on the Peninsula with open water view and Monterey Spanish architecture. It was for sale for 18 months when we bought it. We were the only offer that did not plan to demolish this beautiful home/apartment building and to rebuild two, three story SFRs. I tried to apply for Historic status but the number and location of the designees had already been established when I attended the meeting. Long Beach limits the number of designees as they lose tax money with each one…. We repaired and restored the building with our own funds and without the tax break. I am glad no one told me what to do with my home….
are you reading the same article? It was PURCHASED in 2021.
This is a historically significant home built in the 50s by a renowned Architect and should be designated as historical and PRESERVED.
Are YOU reading the same article?! You say this is a historically significant home but I’ve never even heard of it or seen it. What’s so significant about it? The only thing I can see that is MAYBE significant is the fact that it kept its bright aqua blue color for that many years! Besides, big deal, he built a house around a tree. So what. That’s been done plenty of times. This is America and we are allowed to remodel our houses anyway we want. I agree with the other people… If you want to buy it and preserve it, do it. But it’s not your house so it’s really none of your business. Who knows maybe the new owner bought it just so he can rip it down.
It was PURCHASED in 2021. Built in the 50s by a notable architect, it should be preserved.
If you want to preserve form non profit, fundraise and buy it from the owner for the price he asks for. I am sure there is an amount he can’t refuse. Like the price of a brand new home next door to it. About 8 million. And then operate it as a museum or rent it out. That is how it should go. Private property.
Tear it down. The owner should be able do what they want with it. Personally, I would bulldoz it and it would be gone in a about an hour!!!
TC
Plz look at the property a 2 Laguna for a successful retrofit. The home is presently for sale with many photos of both the inside and out showing what can be accomplished when the goal includes preserving the exterior of a mid century home. I wish I had gone thru with the purchase of the property before the retrofit but didn’t have the vision or perhaps the funds.