Bel Air
Edward Slatkin Asks $36M For Bel Air Mansion
Edward Slatkin, an owner of Shutters and Santa Monica’s Casa Del Mar, is asking $36 Million for his French Normandy-style Bel Air mansion, located in the coveted neighborhood of Holmby Hills, Los Angeles.
According to Mansion Global, the estate dates back to 1925 and has since been restored, complete with a new master wing, chef’s kitchen, and a two-story pool pavilion with a fireplace, vaulted beam ceilings and a wet bar.
Former Owned By Dancing Partner to Fred Astaire
Once owned by Barrie Chase, an actress and dancer who served as a dance partner to Fred Astaire, the property includes a main house and a duo of guest cottages offering about 11,500 square feet of living space on a parcel of land totaling nearly 2 acres.
Among the highlights: a dining room leading to garden terraces and a glass conservatory; master bedroom with a private sitting area, terrace and double bath; and a third-story studio and attic.
The grounds include specimen cutting gardens, a greenhouse, two guest cottages, garage parking for five cars and a personal training gym.
Sharona Alperin of Sotheby’s International Realty and Ron de Salvo of Coldwell Banker share the listing.
1001 Bel Air Road — Comely Compound
1001 Bel Air Road — Comely Compound
Bel Air | An acre + | Ocean Views | 24,020 sq. ft. | $23.45 million
In the coveted East Gate neighborhood of Bel Air, there’s a chance to build a new 24,020-square-foot, two-story residence on an acre-plus parcel of land at 1001 Bel Air Road that was once home to legendary actress Zsa Zsa Gabor.
The $23.45 million price tag on the property’s existing 1955 Hollywood Regency-style dwelling comes with approved permits and plans from architecture firm Harrison Design, not to mention panoramic downtown and ocean views. Among the list of proposed amenities: seven bedrooms; a recreation room with a bar, screening room, gym and steam room; and a pool and covered loggias.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of Hollywood history,” says listing agent Jade Mills of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury.
Photographs: courtesy Adam Latham
Luxe DIGS
Grand Canyon
$15.999 MILLION
Once home to actors Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, this Gerard R. Colcord-designed estate at 1524 Stone Canyon Road in Bel-Air now is on the market for $15.999 million. Expect almost 9,000 square feet of charming Medieval-style living space boasting four bedrooms (most notably, a spacious master wing featuring a sitting room and wet bar); a great room with a soaring pitched ceiling and brick fireplace with built-in seating; and a media room. Among the home’s standout features: “I would say the dramatic high ceilings and exposed beams in the great room and master bedroom that are a Colcord signature,” says Tim Mullin, who is co-listing the property with Rick Ojeda and Nick Segal, all of Partners Trust. Rounding out this home’s special appeal is a guest house and park-like grounds replete with a sprawling terrace, full barbecue, pool and spa, and canyon and hillside views.
Touch of Taste
$9.995 MILLION
Jane Fonda and Richard Perry’s gated Beverly Hills estate is available for $9.995 million, listed by Jade Mills of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury. Found at 1575 Carla Ridge—in coveted Trousdale Estates—the four-bedroom residence boasts 7,000-plus square feet of open, eco-conscious living space on two levels, complete with walls of glass, vaulted ceilings, photovoltaic electric panels, bamboo flooring and a stunning glass elevator. Outside, the 36,272-square-foot lot offers a resort-like setting showcased by covered and open patios, a solar heated pool, viewing pavilion with fire pit and meditation garden with fountain—all with breathtaking canyon and ocean vistas.
Pedigreed Palace
Designed by one of L.A.’s most famed architects, this sophisticated and private French Country trophy estate now is on the market for $7.499 million
Written by Wendy Bowman | Photography Courtesy of Douglas Elliman Real Estate
California-based architect Stiles O. Clements passed away in 1996, but the prestigious designer left a definite mark on L.A.’s commercial and residential real estate landscape. Known for his trademark Art Deco and Streamline Moderne styles, he designed some of the city’s most recognizable buildings—including landmarks such as the Wiltern, Mayan and El Capitan theaters—along with this French Country Revival manor. The 5,956-square-foot residence at 363 S. Las Palmas Ave. in Hancock Park once served as the home of art patrons Lucius and Mildred Peyton Green, and later, actress Sela Ward.
“The most notable historic aspect of the home is certainly the fact that it was designed by Stiles O. Clements,” says Scott Segall of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, who is listing the property for $7.499 million. “He was a prominent L.A.-based architect who was trained at one of the premier arts schools in Paris, which is why this house truly feels like a home in the South of France.”
Built in 1939 and newly reimagined in 2016 by L.A. architecture firm Clements Design, the three-story, four-bedroom home retains much of its original details while eschewing a chic and modern design aesthetic. Think carefully curated fixtures and furnishings and high-quality finishes, including stunning raw-sealed parquet floors, soaring ceilings and large-paned windows allowing for plentiful light. Among the stand-out features: a master bath that doubles as a work of art; a formal entry with a sweeping circular staircase; and a massive, flat backyard replete with manicured French gardens, a romantic outdoor dining area, pool and sport court.
Rounding out this property’s special allure is a guesthouse atop the two-car garage and a Crestron home-automation system.
“The house is grand, but completely comfortable,” says Segall. “It’s a home that doesn’t feel stuffy or pretentious, despite the fact it’s architecturally reminiscent of a large estate in Bel-Air. It’s designed for the way today’s buyers want to live—they want to use the house to its fullest and also feel free to hang out in the formal living room while enjoying a martini and reading Vanity Fair.”
PRESENTED BY
SCOTT SEGALL, DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE
LIST PRICE $7.499 MILLION
Iconic Estate
Bel-Air’s Chartwell Estate hits the market at $350 Million
Written by Alisha Henson
Recognized as the crown jewel of Bel-Air, the Chartwell Estate, was recently introduced to the market as the most expensive home for sale in the nation. Known to televison fans as the mansion from the 1960 TV comedy series, “The Beverly Hillbillies,” the home of late billionaire, Jerrold Perenchio, was inspired by a lavish 18th century neo-classical design. Built in 1933 by architect Summer Spaulding, and restored by designer Henri Samuel, the main residence totals over 25,000 sqft and includes a ballroom, world-class wine cellar, formal salon and paneled dining room. The luxurious grounds include 10.3 acres of expertly manicured gardens, a tennis court, covered parking for 40 cars, a 75-foot pool and pool house, and panoramic views from downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean.
Listed by Jeff Hyland, Drew Fenton and Gary Gold of Hilton & Hyland; Joyce Rey, Jade Mills and Alexandra Allen of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury; Drew Gitlin and Susan Gitlin of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services.
Sophisticated Staycation
Enjoy a permanent vacation at this new ultra-chic showpiece in Bel-Air
Written by Wendy Bowman
Feel like taking the ultimate resort-style sabbatical, where entertaining and relaxation are top of mind—without ever leaving your personal abode? This new, chic, ultra-modern, farmhouse-style estate fits the bill both inside and out, complete with a 43,855-square-foot lot boasting a massive pool, spa and Baja shelf feature with color-changing LED lights, a custom pub room sporting a 200-bottle wine wall and duo of big-screen TVs, and much more.
“I love the developer’s playful use of modern and farmhouse, with a grand open floorplan that’s ahead of the design curve,” says Aaron Kirman of John Aaroe Group, who is co-listing the property with Drew Fenton of Hilton & Hyland, for $12.5 million. “It’s perfect for a single person or a family, because it’s ultra-private yet still very accessible to all that Los Angeles has to offer.”
Situated amid a private and serene setting at 1281 Stone Canyon Road—in an exclusive neighborhood within lower Bel-Air—the attractive white brick, six-bedroom home was designed by architect Steve Wunderlich of 4C Design Group and built by developer Justin Barth of Barth Partners. Featured within is more than 9,000 square feet of glamorous custom Hancock Design-crafted living space on two levels highlighted by rich hardwood flooring and designer lighting throughout. A grand entry features a double staircase that ascends to the top floor, which contains the guest bedrooms and a loft master suite including a fireplace, balcony, spacious walk-in closet, and spa-like bath with a soaking tub and stylish Brizo fixtures.
Yet other standout attributes of the property include an iPad-controlled smart-home system that operates climate, security, music and lights, as well as seamless indoor-outdoor living from the family room, living room, kitchen and pub room via fully retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to reveal a private, expansive backyard. There, one finds a long rectangular pool, spa, barbecue and patio with fire pit—all boasting eye-catching mountain and canyon views. An added bonus: all of the furniture—as well as an extensive holding of artwork by artist Marcello Pozzi—can be included with the sale.
PRESENTED BY
AARON KIRMAN OF JOHN AAROE GROUP AND DREW FENTON OF HILTON & HYLAND
LIST PRICE $12.5 MILLION
The Market
Modern Flora
Pacific Bougainvillea brings 63 new single-family homes to Torrance
Written by Alisha Henson | Renderings Courtesy of Pacific Communities
Pacific Bougainvillea offers custom single-family homes. Constructed smart by design, the contemporary three-to-five bedroom floor plans provide warm, functional, and energy efficient spaces with an open layout. Planned with at least one bedroom and full bathroom on every floor, the site of the 63-home subdivision is fit to take a new spin on multi-generational living. Built on a once vacant lot that served as the median on Normandie Avenue, this South Bay gem offers home designs ranging from 1094-2818 square feet, starting in the mid $700,000s. “Pacific Bougainvillea is providing what’s needed in this community and is a wonderful addition to the city of Torrance,” says sales rep Ivery Summers.
A-Listings
Written by Wendy Bowman
Stunning Sanctuary – $7 Million
Seeking a chic getaway in the Mojave Desert? Eric Lavey and Michelle Schwartz of The Agency are offering the Gucci House for $7 million. Owned by British fashion heiress Patricia Gucci—granddaughter of House of Gucci Founder Guccio Gucci—the 18.5-acre compound is situated at 57425 Palma Seco Circle, behind private gates in the mountains above Palm Springs, and features almost 11,000 square feet of living space spread between the main home and two guest houses. Along with commanding panoramic views of the Coachella Valley, additional highlights include a massive chef’s kitchen, private sundecks in each bedroom, as well as a pool, spa, tennis court and home theater.
Recently Sold – $16.5 Million
Casino and resort developer Steve Wynn has parted ways with his modern Mediterranean-style estate in Bel-Air, sold to Beverly Hills doctors Sheila Nazarian and Fardad Mobin for $16.5 million. Located at 565 Perugia Way—in the exclusive enclave of Lower Perugia Way, on almost an acre overlooking the Bel-Air Country Club fairways—the gated, 11,000-square-foot property features five bedrooms (most notably, an elegant master suite with a fireplace, private balcony, and dual baths and walk-in closets); an expansive media room; and a fitness area with sauna and steam room. Venturing outside, one finds numerous terraces ideal for al fresco dining, a putting green, koi pond and waterfalls. The Agency’s Mauricio Umansky, Leonard Rabinowitz, Deedee Howard and Jack Friedkin brokered both sides of the deal.
Q&A: Aaron Kirman Major Asset
As a young boy growing up in Los Angeles, in a family of modest means, real estate entrepreneur Aaron Kirman used to ride his bike to an upscale neighborhood in the Valley just to glimpse all of the expensive homes for sale. He also begged his parents to take him to open houses. Despite suffering from severe learning disabilities—including dyslexia and a speech impediment that prevented him from saying the letter “R”—he entered the real estate ranks at age 18 while attending USC and never looked back.
Fast-forward to today, and the 39-year-old is one of the most successful real estate agents not only in L.A., where he is based, but across the globe as well, amassing an exclusive client roster rife with CEOs, celebrities and royalty, selling $3.5 billion in homes to date. He also appears regularly on CNBC’s Secret Lives of the Super Rich, and was named the 12th top real estate agent in the U.S. by The Wall Street Journal in 2016. Here, Kirman, president of Aaroe Estates, the luxury property division of the John Aaroe Group, divulges to DIGS how he got into real estate, his personal abodes, the secret of his success and more.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS?
I put myself through college selling real estate. When other kids were in school and partying, I was working and obsessed with real estate and doing deals. I fell into a cool niche selling architectural homes by R.M. Schindler and John Lautner, and people started to recognize my name. Then I was an executive and ran the architectural division at Hilton & Hyland for about nine years, and shifted into the estate division at John Aaroe Group about five years ago. Now, we have the largest market share of the most expensive homes in country.
WHAT IS YOUR REAL ESTATE FOCUS NOW?
It just continues to grow with some of the country’s most expensive estates. We recently sold the Danny Thomas estate for $65 million, which was the second-highest sale in Beverly Hills. I now have about $650 million in active inventory. We have five estates above $50 million; I like to specialize in uber-high-priced and very unique homes. I’m also working on building my team, which has been a fun challenge. We have about 30 on our team. I’ve been selling solo for many years, and now have the dynamics of a team. I like to call them my kids, even though some are 60 years old. I like to watch their careers grow; it’s been inspiring for me. They need me, and my portfolio and contacts, and I can teach them.
TELL ME ABOUT SOME OF THE HOMES YOU HAVE IN YOUR INVENTORY RIGHT NOW. Some of my actives include the Edie Goetz estate in Bel Air for $79 million (where the socialite lived and hosted extravagant parties), and an $85 million mansion in Beverly Hills that both Cher and Eddie Murphy lived in at one time. From there, I have a stunning $60 million compound on the ocean that was in a TV show and has been leased by some of top celebrities in the country, and a gorgeous, uber-modern $49 million house owned by fashion designer Charles Park of Sugarlips. I also have a bunch of beautiful moderns priced from $20 million. I still love listing some of my old stuff, like a beautiful [Richard] Neutra in Hollywood Hills. It has significant architecture, and I’m looking for the right buyer who’s going to restore it.
WHO ARE SOME OF THE MOST MEMORABLE PERSONALITIES YOU’VE WORKED WITH?
I’ve worked with sheiks from the Middle East, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia; celebrities from Orlando Bloom to Rihanna to Nicki Minaj; and fashion designers like Jeremy Scott. Everyone is so interesting, and they all have a unique story. What’s fun is the diversity, from royalty to celebrities to CEOs to just ordinary people. I also love helping my friends buy their houses and seeing the growth of some of my friends. I’ve represented some friends who were buying starter homes 20 years ago and now they’re in $15 million houses.
IS THERE ONE TYPE OF ARCHITECTURE THAT PARTICULARLY APPEALS TO YOU? I’m personally a big fan of Mid-Century homes. Houses done in the 1960s, and sometimes ’50s, were so advanced and ahead of their time, with walls of glass and indoor-outdoor spaces. Some of those architects were masters at figuring out the right house to put on the right site. Lately, I’ve been a fan of transitional architecture, where you have a traditional style and more modern interiors. I’ve seen a lot of that during my travels in Europe.
WHAT IS THE HOT AREA RIGHT NOW?
Los Angeles is the hottest real estate market on the planet; it’s crazy how hot our market is. There is so much wealth all over and so many people from across the globe—from Europe, Asia and the East Coast—are pouring money here. L.A. is hotter than New York and other markets that used to be bigger. We have some of the most expensive sales in the world right now in Bel-Air, Beverly Hills and the Hollywood Hills. The price increases we’ve seen to date are astronomical. We have had four sales of about $100 million, and that’s crazy. We never would have been close to demanding those dollar amounts 10 years ago. It’s amazing, and it’s only going to go up. L.A. is cheap, according to the world market. You get so much bang for your buck here for whatever your budget is: more land and space, and that’s what’s driving our market to be so good.
WHAT ARE THE MOST VALUABLE AMENITIES PEOPLE ARE SEEKING?
One is privacy, which is the most important desire for people with wealth, and the second is grounds or view. We have sold homes with almost every amenity possible—from theater-sized media rooms to wine cellars that could hold 80,000 bottles—but, primarily, people want land, privacy and a view.
DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM PROPERTY?
I sell really big, gorgeous, opulent homes…and I like simple, beautiful homes. I live in a high-rise, and I just bought a house in Beverly Hills with walls of glass. It’s a modern house with a pool, great indoor-outdoor flow and an open floor plan, and it’s great for entertaining and living a happy life. I personally don’t have a desire to live in a huge house, although I do love to sell them.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR HOME?
I love my master bedroom; it’s my retreat—my space where I have my privacy and my time alone. There’s nothing like being able to go home and rest in your room at night. In my high-rise, I love my view. I’m on a high floor and can see the entire city—from Downtown to Century City—and that’s also pretty great.
WHAT DOES LUXURY MEAN TO YOU?
Being able to live the life I choose to live. That doesn’t necessarily come in the form of material objects. I’m blessed to have pretty much any material object I desire, but it really means to live a great life and to spend time with friends and family, to eat well, and to travel and see the world. I live a very wonderful life that is well-rounded, and I’m proud of that. It’s not easy to do that at the level of real estate I do. I take time for family, friends and myself.
TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE YOUR SUCCESS?
In general, successful people are very strategic; you have to be. You have to be ahead of the curve, and able to make the curve. You have to be creative. Successful people don’t want to follow the pack, but they have to be ahead of the pack. Strategic alliances, partnerships and team work also are important. Marketing and advertising are super important as well. Even print; people say print is dead, but I disagree. People still love to read, and that’s what sells. Tech is uber-important in the national and international world; we’re spending more energy and money on that. Social media is super important, and continuing to develop contacts and the networks we have. Taking time to tell stories about the properties and clients, even ourselves, is important. I always like progressing and finding bigger and better ways to do something.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST PIECE OF REAL ESTATE ADVICE?
The world has changed, and it’s a really competitive business. But, if someone wants to get in it, they need to be passionate and prepared to work super hard and find what is going to make them different so they will stand out from the crowd. The main piece of advice is you should specialize in something and be unique, and if you do that, you will have a great chance at success. For me, I like to tell the story of someone with a modest upbringing who had challenges growing up, and for the grace of God and luck, has sold $3.5 billion of homes to some of the most famous people in the world. I like people to know that they can do whatever they want to do with hard work. It’s not always based on who you know and having a privileged background. I look back and I’m super grateful, and sometimes I pinch myself and say, ‘Wow, I did it.” But I always knew I would and I feel like we’ve just begun. I’m not sure where we’re going, but we’re just beginning.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING WHEN YOU AREN’T WORKING?
I love to travel and explore the world, and I mediate every day. I love dinners with friends; I just spent a Sunday by the pool with lots of friends. I love to be by the water, whether it’s a pool or the beach. I also love to bike ride. I just like to live.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOU?
We’re doing a lot of TV these days. I’m a spokesperson for CNBC’s Secret Lives of the Super Rich. I love getting interviewed on TV about where the market is and where we’re going. I also love building a team that’s already one of the most knowledgeable and successful in the country, and getting bigger and better every day. I’d like to expand our market share. We have the best inventory in L.A. and abroad, but I would like to develop more international and national alliances.
Photography Courtesy of Matthew Momberger and Michael McNamara
From Bel Air to Woodland Hills
DIGS Market Trends covers news, analysis, and market movements in the South Bay and Westside of LA’s housing market. Discover one-of-kind homes that you can buy or rent from Malibu to Palos Verdes and in-between.
Remarkable Retreat
New on the market for $24.995 million is a lavish resort-style estate developed by J&L Development President and CEO Tarique Jalil, with architecture and interior design by Cain Calderon Leon of Cain Interiors & Construction. Presented by Aaron Kirman and Louis Evans of John Aaroe Group and Drew Fenton of Hilton & Hyland, the contemporary Bel-Air property is modeled after a grandiose resort, complete with panoramic canyon, city and ocean views and collapsible walls of glass for a seamless indoor-outdoor living.
Set on a hillside at 1737 Bel Air Road, the gated residence features 13,000 square feet of opulent living space, including nine bedrooms—most notably, a penthouse-style grand suite consisting of a guest room; private pool; 2,600-square-foot deck with access to a private studio; dual closets; and his-and-her baths (hers boasting a $60,000 tub). Among the other show-stopping features are a hotel-style lobby with full bar; gym and yoga studio with a Stott Pilates Reformer machine; Cohiba smoking lounge; climate-controlled, 650-bottle wine-preservation room; 2,000-square-foot living room; gourmet stainless-steel kitchen with Sub-Zero and Gaggenau appliances; day salon with massage, hair, makeup and manicure/pedicure facilities; and 16-seat professional theater with 130-inch screen. Meanwhile, a sprawling outdoor entertaining area offers a kitchen; theater; 60-foot limestone infinity-edge pool and spa; sculpture garden; 18-foot Indonesian limestone water feature; and Zen promontory with tub. Rounding out the home’s resplendent offerings is a 1,200-square-foot guest house with two bedrooms, two baths, a living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry and 1,800-square-foot observation deck overlooking the Pacific. Not to mention the five-car garage and 12-car motor court.
1737 Bel Air Road photo credit Matthew Momberger and Jim Barsch
Iconic Hollywood Home
The former Regency Pavilion-style home of Academy Award-winning director John Schlesinger (best known for his work on Midnight Cowboy) has hit the market for just under $15 million. Situated at 1896 Rising Glen Road, on a cul-de-sac above Sunset Plaza, the most show-stopping features of the residence are its privacy, scale and spectacular city to ocean views—all of which have been enjoyed by the likes of the Rolling Stones, Richard Gere, and Cindy Crawford through the years.
“The property is adjacent to the Bird Streets, which has become quite the sought-after neighborhood,” says listing agent Chris Dyson of The Agency. “It sits on approximately 1.25 acres of complete privacy; you can’t see any part of the house from the road (hence the reason so many amazing people have stayed here). Plus, it boasts a unique and explosive view.” Much of the 64,000-square-foot lot is flat, which is incredibly unique for the hills. The four-bedroom home recalls many details reminiscent of Hollywood’s Golden Age, including terrazzo flooring; a screening room; living room with walk-in bar; and brick-paved pool area.
Photo credit Marc & Tiffany Angeles + Joe Bryant/ The Agency
Fast and Furious Creator Makes Woodland Hills Home
Director, producer, and screenwriter Rob Cohen of The Fast and the Furious film franchise has purchased a contemporary five-bedroom, five-bath home in Woodland Hills for $1.755 million. Situated at 5316 Lubao Avenue—in the desirable South of the Boulevard neighborhood, adjacent to well-known hiking trails and country clubs—the home was built in 1950 and has since been meticulously remodeled to include 4,650 square feet of living space rife with high-end designer furnishings and imported distressed wood flooring throughout.
Among the highlights: a grand master retreat with a separate office/den, sitting area with fireplace, luxurious spa-like bath and 340-square-foot walk-in closet; gourmet kitchen featuring a center island with a five-burner stove, designer cabinets, stainless-steel appliances, double oven, custom granite countertops and stainless-steel backsplash; and a lushly landscaped 18,017-square-foot lot sporting a basketball court, patio and barbecue area, and Pebble-Tec pool and spa. Michael Chez and Christina Anwar of Rodeo Realty served as the listing agents.
5316 Lubao Ave. photo credit Wayne Ford
Bel-Air & City Lights
Situated high atop a sunlit promontory, just moments from the center of Beverly Hills, a secluded Bel-Air estate offers exquisite luxuries, breathtaking views and unparalleled privacy
Written by Abigail Stone | Photography Courtesy of Paul Jonason
A glamorous aura envelops Bel-Air. This enclave speaks to the ultimate in luxury and exclusivity. You can feel it the moment you pass through one of the two residential gates, and leave the rush of Sunset Boulevard behind.
A gentle, diffused light dapples leafy roads. Homes are well hidden behind high, exquisitely maintained hedges. Driving by the occasional ornate open gate reveals curving driveways. Even the Hotel Bel-Air, with its bevy of snow-white swans, exudes a stately hush, its valets springing deftly into action to greet guests. You’ve entered a different world.
The feeling is only magnified as you follow the long, winding driveway that leads up to 10690 Somma Way—less than 15 minutes from the hustle and bustle of central Beverly Hills. Teasing glimpses of the landscape suggest that up top awaits momentous views. As the white gate pulls back to unveil the house, its balanced beauty and perfect proportions immediately alert you to the magnificence to be discovered inside. The home’s white plaster exterior is a nod to the heyday of Los Angeles’s architectural past and is as beautiful as it is practical, deflecting the day’s heat for a pleasingly temperate interior. There’s plenty of room to leave your car, with the graceful circular driveway easily able to accommodate an entire fleet of vehicles. The attached garage to the left of the home holds three cars, and there is an additional garage just inside the main gate that can accommodate five cars, but in another iteration, would also make an ideal artist studio, recording studio, editing suite or rehearsal space. If the home’s welcoming air recalls the exquisite and exclusive boutique hotels that dot Europe, it’s by no accident. This is a home basking in the seclusion that its lofty private world affords.
Despite the home’s grandeur, it is the surrounding scenery, not the building itself, which immediately catches the eye. The spectacular 180-degree setting captures the city at its glittering best, with the canyon below especially lush. Here and there, a few homes peek out. Beyond, the towers of Century City glisten like an emerald city and, on a clear day, you can fully experience the expansive jetliner views. The impressive four-acre property extends until its edges are blurred by the thick forest of trees that separate the home from its neighbors. How this house can be so close to the city and yet still feel so far removed is part of its magic.
Inside the home’s front door, a bright hallway leads to the first of many picturesque moments—a dramatic atrium, complete with a winding staircase, canopied by four large and leafy Ficus trees. Sunlight pours through the glass skylight, eliminating the need for lights during the day and brightening the rooms that wind around this central point. Here on the first floor are all the public spaces: a living room with a panorama of the magnificent scenery; an open dining room; two guest suites with their own patios as well as two additional guest rooms; a spacious kitchen, graced with every appliance; a plush screening room; and a generous den that overlooks the backyard. Each room flows graciously into the next, setting the perfect stage for any occasion, whether it’s an intimate dinner for two, a sumptuous gala, or a summer lawn party. The home is unique in that it exudes opulence without feeling cavernous.
The upstairs rooms, which also swirl around the central courtyard, achieve this same balance. These may be the home’s more private spaces, but no expense has been spared in their appointments. The master bedroom suite, which runs along the garden side of the house, has been created for first-class living: a deep balcony spanning the length of the room overlooks the rear garden, with a fireplace, his and her bathrooms, generous walk-in closets fitted with highly-polished wood shelving, and a Jacuzzi. There is also a private office on this floor, as well a small kitchenette—everything is accounted for. Yet, even in the midst of this elegance, where every wall whispers for a magnificent piece of art and there is no end of places to put prize sculptures, it’s the view that enchants.
Among the home’s other discoveries: the perfectly landscaped pool area with a graceful pavilion and sunken tennis court perched at the edge of the backyard, just beneath the outdoor bar and barbecue. Have you found the gym and spa yet? There’s that view again that its floor-to-ceiling windows highlight. Rumor also has it that socialite Nicky Hilton threw legendary parties on the tennis court that lasted well into the night. It’s not hard to imagine Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, or any of Hollywood’s other legendary luminaries lolling in the grass, drink in hand, as day turns to night. Once you arrive here, why would you ever leave?
Aerial photo courtesy of James Respondek/Sotheby’s International Realty
Presented by James Respondek & Erin Garrity
Sotheby’s International Realty
List Price: $24,888,000 www.SommaWay.video
Market Report
Written by Wendy Bowman
Most Expensive Home in the U.S. Lists for $250 Million
This extravagant mega-masterpiece built by high-end developer Bruce Makowsky definitely stands up to its billing as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” complete with amenities and bespoke items culled from around the globe. Found at 924 Bel Air Road—in the ultra-exclusive enclave of Bel-Air—the spec home also is setting a record as the country’s most expensive home ever listed for sale…and it’s easy to see why.
Coming in at 38,000 square feet (plus an extra 17,000 square feet of entertainment decks), the four-level property features two master suites; 10 VIP guest suites; three gourmet kitchens; five bars; a massage studio/wellness spa; fitness center; 40-seat 4K Dolby Atmos Theater; and four-lane bowling alley/lounge. But that’s not all!
Also offered is a sprawling auto gallery sporting cars valued at more than $30 million; seven full-time staff members; more than 100 curated art installations; an outdoor hydraulic popup theater; two fully-stocked champagne/wine cellars; a wall boasting a massive assortment of candy; one of the most advanced home-tech systems in the country; an 85-foot glass tile infinity swimming pool; and 270-degree mountain, ocean and skyline views. “This home was curated for the ultimate billionaire who wants the best of everything that exists in life,” says Makowsky. “Until now, the ultra-luxury market was void of homes that even came close to matching the level of mega-yachts and private jets that billionaires spend millions of dollars on every year. There are hundreds of new billionaires created each year and they are increasingly setting their sights on this coveted enclave of California for everything the state has to offer.”
The home is represented by Branden Williams & Rayni Williams of Williams & Williams Estates, and Ben Bacal of Rodeo Realty.
photos courtesy of Berlyn Photography
A Touch of Romance
A stunning Mediterranean Revival-style estate owned by late film and TV director Arthur Hiller has been listed for $12.45 million. “Rarely does a compound with such a rich Hollywood history come on the market,” says Juliette Hohnen, who is co-listing the property with Annie Stewart, both of Douglas Elliman. “The home was built by its owner, who directed Love Story and lived there with his wife for more than 40 years. The house was a happy home and the couple died within weeks of each other, a true love story indeed.”
Situated in a private locale at 1218 Benedict Canyon Drive in Beverly Hills, the home offers more than 7,000 square feet of living space featuring six bedrooms (including a spacious master with an office and dual baths and closets); an impressive wood-paneled entryway that leads from the double front doors into a sunken formal living room that opens to the pool area; den with a bar and sunroom; professional chef’s kitchen with a butler’s prep area and walk-in pantry; and formal dining room.
“Adding to the Hollywood history, the house was designed by a production designer who worked with Arthur Hiller on some of his films,” says Stewart. “You won’t find many houses with as much love and character as this one. It truly is a special property, unlike any on the market now.”
photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Malibu Retreat
An awe-inspiring architectural estate designed by visionary architects Hagy Belzberg and George Wittman has hit the market on Yellow Hill Road in Malibu for $12.5 million, extolling a breathtaking ocean and mountain panorama among its hallmark virtues. “The Yellow Hill retreat stands on the hills overlooking Malibu, with mesmerizing whitewater views of Leo Carillo State Beach and the never-ending vistas of the Malibu coastal headlands and Santa Monica Mountain’s most prominent peaks,” says Mimi McCormick, who is co-listing the property with Katie Bentzen and Sarah Kosasky, all of Partners Trust.
Found on a 32-acre site, the secluded 7,500-square-foot retreat features a main residence and guesthouse, both of which include cantilevered living spaces, walls of windows and sight lines engineered to capture the magnificent scenery. Among the highlights: a gorgeous saltwater pool and spa; generous indoor/outdoor entertainment areas; a large-scale kitchen and dining room; private office loft; 20-car motor court and double gated driveway.
photos courtesy of Scott Everts SAE photography
Musician Sells Beverly Hills Estate
British singer/songwriter Robbie Williams and his wife, Adya Field, have let go of their modern traditional, multilevel mansion in Beverly Hills for $9.9 million. Originally listed for $11 million, the home is situated at 3312 Clerendon Road (between Beverly Glen and Benedict Canyon, in the affluent guard-gated community of Mulholland Estates).
Coming in at 10,000-plus square feet, the newly remodeled abode features seven bedrooms—including an “off-the-charts amazing master suite” with a large sitting area, custom closet, Zen-like bath, and terrace offering giant views of the San Fernando Valley and mountains beyond, according to Jeff Kohl, who co-listed the property with Mauricio Umansky, both of The Agency. Other highlights include a dining room with a mirrored wall; gym; recording studio; and 33,549-square-foot lot featuring a lush backyard complete with a kitchen, living room, dining area, and pool with waterfall and spa.
photos courtesy of Don Lewis/The Agency
Market Report
Written by Wendy Bowman
The Beautiful View
A grand 35,000-square-foot Bel-Air mansion built by renowned real estate developer Mohamed Hadid has entered the market with an $85 million price tag. Hadid is known for building extravagant mansions and hotels in Bel-Air, and this French-inspired chateau is no exception. In keeping with its name—Le Belvédère, which means “The Beautiful View”—the gated, three-story estate is set on 2.2 acres in Holmby Hills and offers stunning 280-degree city and mountain vistas. Not to mention beautiful grounds showcasing fountains, a loggia and terraces, an infinity pool, a spa and a swan pond—all encased within a 1,000-foot-long by 36-foot-high hand-chiseled Jerusalem stone wall. Inside, one will find approximately 35,000 square feet of living space highlighted by opulent details and finishes. “The residence’s interiors and exteriors are astonishing, a true work of art, exquisitely sculpted and hand-finished by 100 master craftsmen from around the world,” says Stacy Gottula of The Agency, who is co-listing the property with Joyce Rey of Coldwell Banker.
Among the standout features are 10 bedrooms (including two palatial master suites, one boasting a walk-in closet that can hold more than 1,000 pairs of shoes); a 60-seat screening room; a grand ballroom that accommodates up to 250 guests; a 5,000-bottle wine cellar; a Moroccan-inspired room (sporting gem-tone hand finishes and luxurious fabrics); a Turkish-style spa (featuring floor-to-ceiling iridescent Moroccan tiles); a gym; and a commercial kitchen. Rounding out the home’s special appeal is a motor court with secure parking for up to 20 cars, 14 fireplaces with imported marble and wood mantles, and of course, an elevator. “There are very few stone, European chateaus that are state-of-the-art with every modern convenience, yet exemplifying magnificent, Old World detailing and unsurpassed quality,” says Rey. The home was constructed in 2006 and sold to international investors in 2010 for $50 million.
photos courtesy of Linda Kasian
Investigate This
The actress best known for her role as detective Olivia Benson on the NBC drama series Law and Order: Special Victims Unit once called this property home.
Now the former residence of Mariska Hargitay and her husband (and fellow Law and Order: SVU actor) Peter Hermann, is on the market for $4.75 million, listed by Roger Perry of Rodeo Realty. Situated at 9274 Warbler Way in Hollywood Hills—in the exclusive bird streets neighborhood above Sunset Strip—the three-story, Spanish-style estate features more than 5,000 square feet of open living space, including five bedrooms; a professional chef’s kitchen with Viking appliances; a home theater; a fitness room; and a wine cellar. Other standout attributes include a two-story guesthouse with a separate entrance, kitchen, office and bedroom; a pool area boasting an enclosed cabana/lounge room; and first-rate, 180-degree ocean, city and canyon views.
photos courtesy of Ray Campbell
Old Hollywood
Two homes owned by show-biz icons now are on the up for grabs in L.A.
American standup comedian, actor and voice actor Don Rickles is selling his Malibu home in the prestigious enclave of Point Dume for $7.995 million. Set behind private gates and down a lengthy driveway—at 28867 Grayfox St.—the two-story home was built in 1968 and features 3,421 square feet of living space rife with ocean views.
Among the highlights are four bedrooms (including an owner’s suite with dual spa-like bathrooms and dressing closets); a sun-filled formal living room with fireplace, high ceilings and access to a deck with a barbecue island ideal for outdoor dining and entertaining; a formal dining room that flows into a chef’s kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances; a cozy family/media room with a fireplace and custom shelves; a bonus/office; and an en-suite guest/maid quarters. Outdoors, one will find a lighted tennis court; resort-style pool and spa; and lushly landscaped grounds that include deeded access to Little Dume Beach. “It’s an ocean-view, resort-style lifestyle,” says listing agent Chris Cortazzo of Coldwell Banker. “With some of the most desirable beaches in Malibu and the award-winningMarine Science School, Point Dume is a mecca for families and celebrities.”
photos courtesy of Simon Berlyn
Rocker Sells Malibu Home
Mark Morgan of the 1980’s pop/rock band Starship has handed over his architectural home in Malibu for $4.1 million. Found at 5501 Horizon Drive—in the Malibu Park neighborhood above Zuma Beach—the property was built by Morgan’s notable architect father, Melford Morgan, and features almost 5,000 square feet of globally influenced interiors fusing traditional Balinese design with modern elements.
Also on hand are three bedrooms (including a spacious master suite overlooking the coast and featuring a den, a spa bathroom and a massive walk-in closet) and a guest house/recording studio. Morgan was a member of the pop/rock band Starship, best known for the hits “Sara” and “We Built This City.”
He now works in film, TV and video games. Terre Steinbeck of Rodeo Realty and Matt Rapf of Pritchett-Rapf & Assoc. served as the listing agents, while Nicole Giangrosso of Rodeo Realty represented the buyer.
photos courtesy of Aaron Hoffman
Also on the market for $2.65 million is the Spanish-style Century City condo that late Oscar-winning actor Burt Lancaster called home for nearly 20 years. Situated at 2220 Avenue of the Stars (No. 1805/6), the 18th-story unit is found in the Century Towers high-rise, where Lancaster purchased two corner units and then combined them into a single 2,800-square-foot residence.
In addition to unobstructed ocean and mountain views from almost every space in the residence, the Hal Levitt-designed condo features two bedrooms (including a massive master suite with his and her baths and spacious closets); a large, open great room sporting a heavy wood-beamed ceiling and plentiful natural light; and abundant amenities from a putting green to valet parking. Another definite plus: the ancient, studded front door. Listing agents are Ben Bacal and Deanna Smith of Rodeo Realty.
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