Hollywood Fixture
Some of the most star-studded parties in the Golden Age of Hollywood took place at this grand Georgian Revival manor in Beverly Hills once owned by notable movie producer William Goetz and his wife, Edith (Edie) Mayer Goetz, daughter of MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer. Invitations to the couple’s dazzling dinner affairs were highly sought after by those in the film industry, with guests from Judy Garland to Henry Fonda settling in amid a spectacular collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art to view prerelease films in one of the country’s first private screening rooms.
Now owned by Northwest Airlines Board Chairman Gary L. Wilson, the home is being listed for $79 million by Aaron Kirman of John Aaroe Group and Jeff Hyland and Drew Fenton of Hilton & Hyland.
Situated at 300-320 Delfern Drive—on “Billionaire’s Row,” in the heart of the luxurious Holmby Hills neighborhood—the private, gated property encompasses two parcels of land totaling about 5 acres. Coming in at 20,000 square feet, the eight-bedroom, nine-bath home was designed in 1938 by English architect Gordon Kaufmann (whose work includes the Greystone Mansion, Santa Anita Park, and Hollywood Palladium).
Legendary designer William Haines later redid the interiors, with highlights including an enormous living room and a paneled Art Deco-style library/bar. Outdoors, the massive tree-swept property includes three guesthouses, a duo of pools, a tennis court, a bridle trail, and even its own funicular.
Photos courtesy of Matthew Momberger / Shooting LA
Architectural Masterpiece
The 1928 Frank Lloyd Wright Jr.-designed Samuel-Novarro House has just hit the market for $4.295 million. Situated at 2255 Verde Oak Drive, in the exclusive neighborhood of The Oaks, this historic cultural monument was originally built for Ben-Hur star Ramón Novarro’s Hollywood manager Louis Samuel and his wife in 1920 and has since been featured in numerous books and publications, including Architectural Digest.
Meticulously restored in keeping with the architect’s original vision, the Art Deco home features many classic Frank Lloyd Wright signatures throughout, including Mayan influences, smooth concrete surfaces, oxidized copper accents, and horizontal bands of windows.
“This home is truly an architectural masterpiece,” says listing agent Juliette Hohnen of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.
“It is steeped in Hollywood history, from the first owner, silent film star Ramón Novarro; to Diane Keaton, who extensively remodeled the interiors; through to its current owner, a successful writer-director-producer.” Christina Ricci also owned the four-level home at one time as well.
The three-bedroom, three-bath residence features 2,690 square feet of living space highlighted by massive windows throughout, a frosted glass entryway, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors in the master bedroom; while the 13,267-square-foot lot includes a pool, professionally landscaped gardens, and terraces.
“The lush setting creates a private oasis in the hills of Los Feliz, Juliette Hohnen says.
“This is a home for a connoisseur of architecture, history, and culture; someone who wants to live in an utterly unique work of art.”
Photos courtesy of Mark Singer
Spreading her Wings
Emmy-winning actor, comedian, and TV host Kathy Griffin is selling her contemporary home at 2955 Passmore Drive in the Hollywood Hills. The residence, which served as the backdrop for her Bravo reality show Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List, is listed for $5.495 million by Aileen Comora and Paul Lester of The Agency.
Nicknamed “Wings” for its dramatic exterior— which appears to resemble a bird in flight—the private, gated property sits on three adjacent lots overlooking Studio City and the iconic Hollywood Sign.
According to Kathy Griffin, the home has, “Views for days; a bedroom you can walk around naked in with the doors open; the biggest kitchen I’ve ever seen, and a master bath with seating for 10…that’s right, you can have meetings while taking a soak.”
The home’s 8,000 square feet of living space features five bedrooms (including a master suite with a fireplace and a bath with two showroom closets—one with clothing racks and glass and wood built-ins for shoes and accessories); a formal entry with stone accent walls and a reflecting pool with a fountain; media room (with a full kitchen, bathroom, fireplace, and French doors that open to an expansive lower-level observation deck); an open living room with a soaring exposed beam ceiling, floor-to-ceiling slate fireplace, and vertical picture windows; a glass-enclosed office; and gourmet kitchen with Caesarstone quartz countertops, an eat-in breakfast bar, professional appliances and lounge area complete with a round tile fireplace.
Meanwhile, the outdoor environs are highlighted by a covered dining area, cabana, saltwater pool, and stone hot tub. Did we mention there’s also an elevator and floating concrete-and-glass staircases to easily traverse each floor?
Photos courtesy of Brandon Vogts/The Agency
