Designed by architects James Langenheim & Associates in the early 1990s for entertainment royalty Aaron and Candy Spelling—at a reported cost of about $12 million—the legendary French chateau-style mansion known as “The Manor” not only is recognized as one of the largest residential homes in L.A. County, but it’s also among the largest single-family residences in the U.S. Coming in at 56,000-plus square feet—or a whopping 1 acre of living space—the property boasts 14 bedrooms and 27 baths.
This generosity makes this prized address an entertainer’s dream, with space carved out for over-the-top amenities like a two-lane bowling alley, three kitchens, and an oversized movie theater with a wet bar and full surround sound. There’s even a circular, cobblestone motor court flanked by a stately fountain that accommodates parking for 100 cars.
The sheer size, however, isn’t the only thing that stands out about this celeb-studded property, which rests on 4.7 acres of exceptional, mostly flat grounds conceived by renowned landscape architect Christine London.
Think a highly desirable locale in L.A.’s Platinum Triangle, in the Holmby Hills neighborhood, bordered by the renowned L.A. Country Club, and just minutes from downtown Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air.
The dwelling has quite a history to boot. Singer Bing Crosby once owned an estate on land where The Manor sits, and through the years the ritzy residence has played host to countless celebrity events. Just some of the noteworthy guests known to grace the estate’s storied halls: Prince Rainier, Jackie Kennedy, and Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, whose 1994 stay is commemorated by a plaque in the front entry.
In 2011, Aaron Spelling’s widow Candy sold The Manor to Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Formula One billionaire Bernie Ecclestone, for $85 million. Ecclestone then went on to sell The Manor to an undisclosed buyer for a record-breaking $119.75 million in 2019, with David Parnes and James Harris of The Agency holding the listing alongside Jade Mills of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and Kurt Rappaport of Westside Estate Agency, and Jeff Hyland of Hilton & Hyland representing the buyer.
“The Manor is such a notable property in the history of L.A. real estate,” says Parnes. “It was a true honor and pleasure to have represented our clients.”
During her time there, Ecclestone undertook extensive renovations, giving the estate a more modern, sleek style. Among the highlights is a professional chef’s kitchen featuring restaurant-grade appliances. A luxe master retreat, meanwhile, is marked by a living room, office, dual sitting rooms, and a private kitchen, as well as lavish dual baths outfitted with massive steam showers and a soaking tub, and a large showroom with spacious dressing areas, several walk-in closets, jewelry islands, and shoe and handbag displays linked by two staircases.
Also a show-stopper: the lower-level entertaining area hosting a billiards and game room, bar room, temperature-controlled wine cellar, gym, sauna, massage, and tanning rooms, as well as a fully equipped beauty salon, and of course, the aforementioned bowling alley and theater. A commercial-grade elevator services the main three floors, while the elaborate outdoor environs contain a resort-caliber pool and spa, pool house, lighted tennis court, koi pond, extensive rose and vegetable gardens, and multiple sculptures.
“The Manor is a true masterpiece that cannot be replicated for so many reasons, including the location, amount of flat land and size of the house, to name a few things,” says Parnes. “It is simply iconic.”
Photographs: Courtesy Of The Agency