A charming 5,000 square foot hacienda previously owned by Katharine Hepburn and Boris Karloff once lived is up for sale in Beverly Hills, CA for the princely sum of $8,995,000. The home sprawls over a 0.95-acre lot and features 5 bedrooms, 6 baths, and 6 indoor and 2 outdoor fireplaces.
The actual location of the home is located in Beverly Hills Post Office, a neighborhood that lies directly outside of the actual Beverly Hills city limits. However, if you want to get mail at this home, you can use Beverly Hills because the neighborhood is located in the coveted 90210 zip code.
Priced at $8.995 million, the listing agent is Brendan Fitzpatrick of Douglas Elliman, Beverly Hills.
All photos are used with permission from TopTenRealEstateDeals.com
The house was built in 1927, but it didn’t get its first famous resident until Katharine Hepburn rented it in 1932. She stayed there for five years as her career gained traction and eventually left in 1937. The house was put up for sale after her departure, and Boris Karloff purchased it in 1938. The star of Frankenstein and the original Grinch animated cartoon stayed there until 1945. Gardening was Karloff’s favorite pastime and the home still reflects the beautiful landscaping work that he began almost 80 years ago.
Taking a look at the home from the front exterior leaves you with the impression that it’s a small home that features beautiful landscaping. What you don’t realize is how deceptive that imagery is. The original architect made excellent use of the topographical features of the lot to make a house that flows into the landscape. The front entry is an illusion that hides the actual size of the home. Enter into the home via a staircase finished with terra cotta and Moorish tiles to explore the wonderfully preserved and tastefully modernized interior.
The first thing you’ll see when you walk into the home is the exposed wood ceilings. Large planks and beams hold up the terra cotta tiled roof and add a gentle warmth with their light brown and red tones. The terra cotta flooring is a constant element throughout the home and features different patterns in each room. The kitchen and bathrooms have been modernized, but the kitchen retains its original stove. Beadboard cabinets are most likely original to the home as well and feature a rolling library ladder to reach the glass storage above the cabinets.
Step out into the back and you’ll find a terraced patio complete with fireplace designed for entertaining. A stone oven and countertop have been added to the patio and blends in nicely with the overall appearance of the property. There’s a more casual patio with a fireplace that’s perfect for more intimate gatherings or to relax with family. Wide flagstone steps lead down to the pool that’s separated from the house by a landscaped embankment.
Lush gardens surround the home and feature both native and ornamental plants. One part of the garden has a patio space with a working fountain at one end and room for chairs at the other and is shaded by a massive locust tree.
Photo credit: Jim Bartsch
Source: www.elliman.com
