Charm, seclusion, and an ideal location just begin to describe the assets of this former home of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, currently listed at $9 million. The 4,177 square foot house nestles on 1.75 acres between Rustic Canyon Creek and Will Rogers Historic Park in Pacific Palisades, a small, exclusive celebrity neighborhood off Sunset Boulevard.
The home is unique in its combination of traditional charm and California-Contemporary edge, presenting the best of both worlds. It has all the luxuries without any pretension – a pool, spa, sauna, floodlit tennis courts, five bedrooms, six bathrooms, three fireplaces, and spacious living areas.
This is the driveway leading to the front courtyard that has fences and shrubs on the sides as well as ancient trees on the sides. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is the front courtyard and car parking area that can fit multiple cars on the concrete leading to the main entrance on the far side. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is the foyer with a simple design of hardwood flooring, built-in cushioned bench on the side of the stairs and an indoor balcony. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is the living room with a large sofa set surrounding a large wooden coffee table across from the large fireplace. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is the other side of the living room with large built-in bookshelves flanking the archway leading to the dining area. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is the dining room with a large wooden rectangular dining table surrounded by wooden chairs matching the hardwood flooring. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThe kitchen has its own informal dining set on the terracotta tiles topped with a white ceiling. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is a closer look at the kitchen that has white cabinetry lining the walls contrasted by the dark counters. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comFrom the kitchen is an archway leading to the family room that is also attached to the home office on the far side. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThe family room has a large L-shaped sofa under the windows paired with a glass-top coffee table. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThe primary bedroom has a bed on the other side of the fireplace by the large windows. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is bedroom has a large bed on an area rug that matches the curtains above the built-in shelves of the window. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis bedroom has a large bed with patterned frame cushions and multiple wall hanging above the headboard. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is a kid’s bedroom that has a small bed on the far corner across from the study area by the window. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is a kid’s bedroom with a small bed across from the play area with a bean bag chair and bookshelves. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis bathroom has a large two-sink vanity with white cabinetry, pendant lights and large mirror. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is the corner bathtub across from the vanity area of the bathroom with a rectangular shape brightened by the window and sconces. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis other bathroom has white tiles that pair well with the white vanity, toilet and the glass-enclosed shower area on the far side. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is the sauna of the house with wooden structures of two levels to maximize the small space. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is the spacious wooden deck terrace and balcony with an outdoor sofa set and a view of the house wooden exteriors. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is a look at the house landscaping showcasing the stone walkways embedded into the soil. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is a look at the house’s landscaping showcasing tall trees, well-manicured shrubs and a large space for a garden. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is a view of the house from the vantage of the garden walkway showcasing the small hill wherein the house stands on. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is another view of the house’s landscaping with ancient trees adorned by the surrounding shrubs and fences. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThe property has multiple mature trees that bring shade along with creeping vines that complement the exterior walls of the house. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is a look at the grotto-style pool at the back of the house with decorative rocks on the sides. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is the professional size tennis court at the back of the house with tall concrete walls on the side. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThe tennis court is surrounded by tall concrete walls and adorned by the shrubs and the tall trees in the background. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is an aerial view of the house that showcases the various outdoor areas of the house and its proximity to each other. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.comThis is another aerial view of the property showcasing the large house, the tennis court and the surrounding landscape. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com
Visitors enter the woodsy property over a bridge flanked by gnarled old oak trees. The house’s light-filled entry spans both levels, welcoming you in with a built-in seating area. The living room sets the transitional tone, with traditional bookcases complete with a sliding ladder, built under a large modern skylight.
This stunning room, surrounded by a wrap-around deck, features a tiled fireplace centered between large curving windows overlooking the forest. Hardwood flooring continues from the living room through the dining room and the kitchen’s adjoining family room, which offers a large gaming area and a cozy office nook with a window seat. The gleaming white cabinetry of the kitchen is complemented by black counters, stainless steel appliances, and backsplashes in gray subway tile, all warmed up with a terracotta floor of ageless square tile.
Upstairs, the unique features continue, with a modern fireplace and built-in shelving in the primary bedroom. All five bedrooms have ample closet space and large windows overlooking the trees. Part of the home’s appeal is the interest created by the property’s different levels.
A footbridge extends from the house to the tennis courts, overlooking the swimming pool with its stone grotto. Brick and stone pathways wind up and down through terraced garden areas. A large wooden deck at the back of the house steps down to a shaded patio area on one side, and up to the tennis courts on the other, also with easy access to the pool.
It is one of those rare homes with no bad views, surrounded as it is by woods of eucalyptus, oak, and sycamore, overlooking a winding creek. Another wonderful feature of the neighborhood is the recreation – both equestrian and hiking paths lead through neighboring forests and parkland. Schwartzenegger, the action film star of Terminator fame who became California’s governor, moved into the house in 1986.
He lived there with his wife, journalist and NBC anchor Maria Shriver, and their four children until the couple’s break up in 2011.
They sold the house for $12.9 million to Maxwell and Vicki Kennedy, the current owners, in 2013. Maxwell is the son of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, and Maria Shriver, also a Kennedy, is his cousin. The home is listed with The Agency, Beverly Hills.
Jon Dykstra owns an interior design company in North Vancouver, British Columbia. He's fascinated by architecture and interiors. He also enjoys gardening at his "house in the burbs" and "homesteading" at his off-the-grid boat-access cabin.
Combine all that with a love of writing and Homestratsophere.com was born. He balances his working time between running his interior design company, working on his off-the-grid cabin and publishing homestratosphere.com.
