Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa September/ October 2019 | Page 65

CELEBRITY PROPERTIES
Cher’s mansion is
on the market
An Italian Renaissance Revival
BY TOP TEN REAL ESTATE NEWS
O
ne of Southern California’s most notable celebrity
mansions on the largest acreage in Holmby Hills is for
sale at a reduced price of $115-million, down from an
eye-popping $180-million. Famous former owners include
Tony Curtis who died during his tenure there and Cher who
wanted the mansion as soon as she saw it when attending a
party Curtis gave. Cher had to wait seven years before it was
available and immediately purchased it.
Renowned architect, Robert
D. Farquhar designed the
house in the Italian Renaissance
style. The location of the
mansion was cherry picked
by the original developer and
visionary behind Holmby Hills,
Arthur Letts. Letts chose the
location for his personal family
estate. Ultimately built by Lett’s
widow, Florence Letts Quinn,
and subsequent husband,
businessman Charles H. Quinn,
the home itself was the largest
and grandest residence in Los
Angeles. The estate is 10 acres
in size and offers a unique
sense of luxury and located in one of the most important
estates in California and often referred to as ‘The Crown Jewel
of Holmby Hills’.
Previously, the estate once belonged to married Joe
Schenck, chairman of 20th Century Fox. Schenck is known
for his relationship with Marilyn Monrow as he moved into
her guest house during their time together. Another previous
owner is Olympic swimmer and actress, Esther Williams, who
built the pool and pool house which still remains on the
property. The mansion has had a history of star studded and
renowned owners. It also housed the infamous Ghazi Aita of
Monaco, who wasted no time in installing a harem and ended
up in Heidi Fleiss’ black book. Aita sold it to Ameriquest founder
Roland Arnall. The Platinum Triangle neighborhoods of Bel Air,
Holmby Hills and Beverly Hills is the celebrity address of choice,
including Rod Stewart, Jennifer Aniston and Ashton Kutcher.
The 12 201 square-
foot mansion, flush with
old-world craftsmanship
includes stately public
rooms, multiple fireplaces
and
chandeliers,
oak
panelling, carved moldings,
intricately carved plaster
ceilings
and
marble
fireplace surrounds. In
addition, all nine bedrooms
are spacious and visitors
are welcomed with a grand
foyer. With 10 bathrooms
available,
homeowners
are spoilt for choice. The
grounds contain two guard houses, a pool, pool house,
fountains, fruit trees and restored formal gardens which border
the Los Angeles Country Club.
The listing agents are Sally Forester Jones, Tyrone McKillen
and Tomer Fridman of Compass, Beverly Hills and Drew Fenton
of Hilton & Hyland, Beverly Hills.
SOURCES TopTenRealEstatedeals.com
SA Real Estate Investor Magazine SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
63