The sprawling estate has a movie theatre, Japanese garden, hammam and floor-to-ceiling Swarovski chandelier
Southern California is rife with new builds, so it’s rare to find a home with old bones. Those looking for digs with a bit of history are in luck, as a residence in Holmby Hills that was originally built in 1939 was just listed. The property was designed by trailblazing architect Paul Williams, a designer whose celebrity clientele included Cary Grant and Lucille Ball and who was the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects. This particular SoCal listing is one of the largest homes that Williams ever built; it’s been updated a few times over the years to include amenities such as a movie theatre and a hammam. Now it can be yours for a hefty US$85 million (S$114.9 million).
The residence has quite the star-studded pedigree. It was previously owned by writer and director Sidney Sheldon, who wrote 18 novels and a handful of movies during his career, earning him the title “Mr. Blockbuster” from the Los Angeles Times. Sheldon nearly doubled the size of the original building after he inherited it. The storied estate was later bought by Max Azria, founder of women’s clothing label BCBG Max Azria. He first tried shopping the home in 2015.