William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies
Some houses are so grand they become the stuff of legend and The Beverly House, as it’s called, is one that has it all. It sits on 6 flat acres just 3 blocks from Sunset Boulevard, the two-story gate house (with four bedrooms) greets you at one of the L.A.’s longest private drives up to the terra cotta main house and a courtyard fountain. Architect Gordon Kaufmann designed it for banking executive Milton Getz and Marion Davies bought it from him in 1946 for William Randolph Hearst (with Hearst’s money, no doubt.) When I first saw these pictures, not knowing Hearst lived here, it instantly reminded me of his palace San Simeon. Hearst lived here remainder of his life.
The main level includes a 50 foot entry hall, a living room with 22 foot ceilings, and the incredible library with hand carved woodwork and staircase leading to second story wrap-around balcony and bookshelves. The billiard room contains herringbone parquet floors and a massive carved stone fireplace mantle Hearst brought from San Simeon. The outdoor terrace can hold up to 400 for sit-down dining and a garden level has an art-deco night club, wine cellar, and one of two projection rooms in the residence. Another level has a spa with a gym and massage room. The house has a commercial kitchen, offices, outside staff accommodations, lighted tennis court with a bar and media center, a guest house above eight car garage, a separate security cottage and a two bedroom apartment. The house hosted John and Jacqueline Kennedy during their honeymoon. It also played memorable parts in films, like The Bodyguard. In The Godfather in one unforgettable scene, we see the exterior of The Beverly House outside at dawn and the camera takes us into one of the master suites, and the rest is movie history… watch the clip, below.
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