Architect William T. Georgis Lists Midcentury Masterpiece for $5.5 Million

Originally designed by William Lumpkins in 1955, the Southern California residence has been artfully updated and meticulously maintained

Modern house with glass walls offering ocean and hillside views, surrounded by trees and greenery.
William T. Georgis’s home in La Jolla, California. Photo: Roger Davies

Architect William T. Georgis’s artfully updated 1955 Southern California bungalow has hit the market for $5.5 million. “It’s all about the views, views, views,” Georgis tells Galerie of what initially drew him and his longtime partner, the late art curator and consultant Richard Marshall, to the gated La Jolla home, which they acquired in 2011. Indeed, the 2,800-square-foot hillside stunner, which once graced the cover of Galerie, features unobstructed vistas that stretch from the rugged Pacific coastline into neighboring Orange County.

“An extraordinary amount of work went into the renovation,” he adds. “We completely gutted the interiors and reconfigured the floor plan so it became a two-bedroom instead of four.” The 18-month update also saw structural steel installed to raise the ceiling heights and a retaining wall added in order to make way for an outdoor pool. The lush landscaping, meanwhile, was overseen by Judy Kameon of Elysian Landscapes and features exotic drought-resistant plants.

Man sitting by a pool in a lush garden with various plants and outdoor furniture.
Georgis is seated poolside in a vintage Maurizio Tempestini chair for Salterini. Photo: Roger Davies
Modern hillside house with large windows, surrounded by lush greenery and overlooking a scenic view.
The hillside La Jolla home was built in 1955. Photo: Pacific Sotheby's International Realty

There are also numerous artistic interventions throughout, such as the colorful abstract dining room mural created by American artist Kim MacConnel. While that work is not included in the sale price, numerous bespoke elements are, among them the double-wide poolside chaise, a fire pit–adjacent sofa, cerused-oak paneling and cabinetry in the library, and a custom bar.

When asked what he’ll miss the most about parting with the property, Georgis doesn’t hesitate: “Being on the terrace overlooking the ocean,” he says. “The buyer has to want to be happy, because this place will make you happy.”

The home is listed with Linda Sansone and Deborah Greenspan of Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty. See more photos below. 

Modern house with glass balcony overlooking a scenic coastal landscape, trees, and distant ocean view on a clear day.
Views from the terrace stretch all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Photo: Pacific Sotheby's International Realty
Modern dining area with abstract wall art, ocean view, and minimalist decor featuring a round table and blue chairs.
The landing is sheathed in Phillip Jeffries grass cloth. Photo: Pacific Sotheby's International Realty
Modern dining room with colorful wall art, a long table, decorative figurines, and pendant lighting fixtures.
Specially commissioned abstract panels by Kim MacConnel wrap around the dining room. Photo: Pacific Sotheby's International Realty
Cozy living room with bookshelves, sofa, armchair, and a large window overlooking a garden. Unique decorations and warm lighting.
Cerused-oak cabinetry in the library. Photo: Pacific Sotheby's International Realty
Modern bedroom with a black bedspread, gallery wall, and stylish decor in neutral tones.
A salon-style display in the guest room that doubles as an office. Photo: Pacific Sotheby's International Realty
Modern bathroom with black fixtures, orange accents, and decorative artwork on a green-tinted glass wall.
One of the baths. Photo: Pacific Sotheby's International Realty
Bathtub with large window view of ocean, trees, and coastline on a clear day.
One of the tubs comes with ocean views. Photo: Pacific Sotheby's International Realty
Outdoor patio with a glass table, six chairs, and a spherical hanging light, surrounded by lush greenery near a pool.
The lush landscaping was overseen by Judy Kameon of Elysian Landscapes. Photo: Pacific Sotheby's International Realty
Cozy outdoor patio with chairs, table, and candle near a pool surrounded by lush greenery and ambient lighting.
Georgis added a retaining wall to make way for a pool. Photo: Pacific Sotheby's International Realty
Cozy outdoor patio with glass table, large hanging lantern, lush greenery, and a barbecue area in the background.
The outdoor dining area is paved with Mexican limestone. Photo: Pacific Sotheby's International Realty
Cozy outdoor patio with fire pit, surrounded by lush greenery and bamboo, featuring a comfortable seating area.
One of the fire pit lounge areas. Photo: Pacific Sotheby's International Realty