marion davies

The Beverly House Estate Back On The Market

Filed under: Estates

Nothing like a little breaking real estate news to send me back to my computer on a Friday night. Earlier today the Real Estalker mentioned that financier Leonard Ross had declared bankruptcy. Ross just happens to own one of the largest and most famous homes in Beverly Hills, the former William Randolph Hearst / Marion Davies estate which he hoisted on to the market in 2007 for a jaw-dropping $165 million. It didn't sell and was later pulled off the market. The bankruptcy filings revealed that Ross owes $40 million in mortgages on the home. Later today Homes of the Rich found the listing for the home. It's back on the market with Hilton & Hyland for $95 million, a huge price drop. It's practically a bargain compared to Candy Spelling's $150 million home.

The pink stucco main home comes with 3.7 acres of land just a few blocks from Sunset Boulevard. The home was built in 1927 for banker Milton Getz and designed by Gordon Kaufmann. Marion Davies bought the property in 1946 for William Randolph Hearst for a reported $120,000. Ross bought the home in 1976. If you had acted fast 20 years ago, when the home was briefly on the market, you could have picked this place up for $25 million. The home has been in several movies including The Godfather, The Jerk and The Bodyguard.

Listing pictures from the property website show off the beautiful landscaping and a couple of the home's massive rooms including the library with hand carved woodwork and a second story wrap-around balcony and bookshelves; and the billiard room with a massive carved stone fireplace mantle from San Simeon. There is also a formal dining room, breakfast room, and family room with outdoor terrace accommodating up to 400 for sit-down dining. The garden level is home to an art-deco night club, wine cellar, and one of two projection rooms in the residence. It comes with a commercial kitchen, staff accommodations, a lighted tennis court with indoor bar and media center, guest house above eight car garage, separate security cottage, separate two bedroom apartment and the two story gate lodge with kitchenette and four bedrooms. We've heard rumors that the home is in less than an ideal state of repair but the new owners will be getting a prized piece of property with an incredible history.

Gallery: Beverly House

Tags: beverly hills real estate, marion davies, William Randolph Hearst

The Most Expensive House For Sale In The United States

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

There's a new top to the list of the most expensive houses on the market in the United States. Topping the list now is Beverly House, the Beverly Hills mansion of William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies. It has hit the market at an astronomical $165 million. The pink stucco home also comes with 6.5 acres of land that include four houses, an apartment and a cottage for the security staff. The stats here are dazzling: three separate pools, 29 bedrooms, a movie theater and a disco (the main house has just nine bedrooms). The home was built in 1927 for banker Milton Getz and designed by Gordon Kaufmann. Hearst bought it for $120,000 in 1947. The LA times reports that the home is currently owned by attorney-investor Leonard M. Ross, who is looking for a "lifestyle change." Ross bought the home in 1976. If you had acted fast 20 years ago, when the home was briefly on the market, you could have picked this place up for $25 million. As Curbed LA mentioned the home has been in several movies including The Godfather, The Jerk and The Bodyguard.

No house in the U.S. has sold for over $100 million yet, although the deep-pocketed have plenty to choose from, including the $155 million mansion being built in Montana, Prince Bandar's compound in Aspen for $135 million, Fleur de Lys also in Beverly Hills for $125 million and Trump's offering in Palm Beach for $125 million. Check out a gallery of the previous leaders of the pack here. And for even more real estate gawking, a look at some of the homes the world's billionaires have constructed. Maybe one of these guys needs a Beverly Hills mansion as a second home.

[Thanks, Jake!]

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Tags: beverly house, beverly hills, expensive, luxury, marion davies, MarionDavies, most expensive house, william hearst