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November 3, 2021WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST’S BEVERLY HILLS HOME
FOR SALE
Courtesy TopTenRealEstateDeals.com
Photo credit Jim Bartsch
Source www.thehearstestate.com
One of California’s most historic and opulent mansions, the Hearst Estate was once a honeymoon love nest for Jack and Jackie Kennedy, as well as a prominent feature in movies such as The Godfather and The Bodyguard.
It has finally been sold… and the only question is the final price.
Newspaper magnate, yellow journalist and two term Democratic congressman from New York William Randolph Hearst and actress Marion Davies began their torrid love affair in 1917. He was 53 and married while she was a 19-year-old chorus girl when they moved in together at his world-famous Hearst Castle in San Simeon.
When he agreed to downsize from the imposing 69,000 square foot estate, Davies bought him a smaller mansion in Beverly Hills where they lived until his death in 1951.
Previously known as The Beverly House, the mansion has been a frequent filming site used as a backdrop for movies. Jackie Kennedy was so excited about her stay at such a stunning estate that she wrote a four page letter about her visit.
Behind iron gates on 3.5 acres and down an 800 foot driveway past a five room gatehouse stands the impressive 30,000 square foot mansion. The living room has 22 foot high arched ceilings that are hand painted. And there’s a magnificent two storey, hand carved, wood panelled library where the pattern in the carpet replicates the design on the ceiling.
The billiard room’s fireplace surround is from Hearst Castle and it’s one of eight in the house while the pool table is from 1868 – it’s one of only three like it still in existence. On the lower level is an art deco nightclub that was modelled after Hugh Hefner’s former Beverly Hills club Touch.
Having been on and off the market in the 40 years that it was owned by financier and attorney Leonard Ross – who was forced into bankruptcy in 2019 – the Hearst Estate was listed in August last year with a price tag of US$ 125 million.
Finally, a sum of US$ 47 million was accepted by the court; but during the final proceedings, it will be open to a brief auction in an attempt to garner a higher price before the gavel falls.
