Artemesia Exquisite 13,290-square-foot Castle is On the Market
The year was 1913, the setting Los Angeles. Cecil B. DeMille shot the first feature film in Hollywood, silent western The Squaw Man; the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County debuted; the L.A. Aqueduct was completed; and Georgia “Tiny” Broadwick became the first woman to parachute from an airplane, landing in Griffith Park. Most notably, Artemesia was born.
A 13,290-square-foot castle-like dwelling nestled in a historic Hollywood Hills enclave on the site of a former hunting lodge, Artemesia is one of the largest Craftsman residences in the U.S., and has been lovingly restored during the past 25 years by former advertising and marketing executive Lenny Fenton—complete with surprising touches, such as the second-largest residential pipe organ in the country, six massive Batchelder tile fireplaces, and an upstairs sleeping porch with five Murphy beds—and now is available to purchase.
“You will never find another property like Artemesia,” says Sally Forster Jones of John Aaroe Group, who is listing the property (along with an adjacent buildable parcel) for $11.75 million.
“It is one of the most unique, impressive and special properties that I have ever represented. Not only has the property been meticulously restored and maintained, it has an incredible, rich history. The home and the grounds are in themselves stunning works of art, and the location and privacy is unbeatable. There is simply nothing else like it.”
Situated on a gated, private street in Los Feliz—atop a 300-foot-high canyon hilltop offering unobstructed city and ocean views—the gated, three-story estate was built for construction magnate Frederick E. Engstrum by Commonwealth Home Builders and designed by architect Frank A. Brown.
Among the highlights: Nine bedrooms (most notably, a sizeable master suite boasting a walk-down, sunken Roman shower and a 1,200-square-foot sitting room with a Louis Comfort Tiffany glass ceiling); a dining room that seats 40; a 1,800-square-foot ballroom that opens to a 100-foot long terrace with panoramic city vistas; a silk damask-lined living room with the aforementioned pipe organ (built by Murray Harris with an estimated worth of $1.1 million); and seven baths with original tile.
In addition, a gourmet kitchen features professional-grade appliances, Calacatta marble countertops and a large mahogany center island; while numerous technological updates include fiber-optic surveillance and data cables, a solar-powered estate gate, radiant kitchen flooring, and new heating and cooling systems.
Outdoors, one finds almost two acres of landscaped and gated parkland with hiking paths; a new pool and spa; a terrace with fire pit; and a waterfall that cascades into a reflecting pool, down a canyon stream bed and into a huge pond. Rounding out this property’s special appeal is a detached carriage house sporting a one-bedroom studio, garage and rooftop entertaining deck.
“The ideal buyer is someone who has a true appreciation for the architecture, craftsmanship and history behind this home,” says Forster Jones.
“It is perfect for someone who is seeking privacy and security in a location that still puts you just minutes from all the action.”
For the right purchaser, Artemesia will be more than just an impressive estate…it will be a property that is destined for adoration for years to come.
Presented by Sally Forster Jones of John Aaroe Group
List Price $11.75 Million
Photos Courtesy of SPF Studios
