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Tarzana is a bedroom community of predominately single-family residences located in the greater metropolitan Los Angeles area. The original acreage was purchased by the Los Angeles Suburban Homes Company, a group of L.A. businessmen anticipating the city's annexation of this unicorporated area. In 1909 it was a hodgepodge of small berry farms and poultry ranches. Edgar Rice Burroughs, author of the Tarzan adventure series, bought 550 acres from the company in 1915 and renamed it Tarzana Ranch. After building a large residence for himself, Burroughs developed the land providing basic services and sold residential lots at $1,500 per acre. Burroughs changed the character of the area from rural to suburban and the town was renamed Tarzana in his honor in 1927.

When Paul R. Williams designed this California ranch-style home for Dr. and Mrs. Assad Abdun-Nur, the area was recognized as a residential community for the growing, wealthy Jewish and Middle Eastern population in Los Angeles. Born in Lebanon Dr. Abdun-Nur came to the United States in 1906 and completed his medical education in the North East. He practiced general medicine from 1916 to 1956 and was recognized as a leader in both the Lebanese Christian and medical communities. Abdun-Nur’s Casa Drive home was known as a “landmark on the hills above Tarzana” (Los Angeles Times, April 23, 1953) and was the setting for large receptions honoring local leaders and important visitors from Lebanon. His son John was involved in the development of Tarzana as a primary investor in Orange Acre Estates, a subdivision of twenty-two half-acre home sites with bridle-trails and aquestrian stables (Los Angles Times April 24. 1949).

Swimming pools have always been an important part of the California lifestyle (image 2) and according to local lore the first residential swimming pool was constructed in Tarzana. Whether true or not, Williams placed the Abdun-Nur’s pool in a spectacular setting.