Blog Post

First published on Forbes, by Keith Flamer

A secluded Sunset Boulevard mansion, once owned by pioneering fashion proprietor Marcia Israel-Curley, just hit the market for $29.5 million.

The 1937-built French chateau in Holmby Hills enjoys a celebrity entertainment pedigree that rivals Hugh Hefner’s nearby Playboy Mansion—albeit less naked and more refined. Weeks after Hefner’s passing, it seems both estates are still making some noise.

Their entertainment legacies are passing on to new owners—the Playboy Mansion to Daren Metropoulos, the 34-year-old co-owner of Hostess Brands and Twinkies; and this six-bedroom, nine-bathroom Gatsbyesque chateau to its eventual buyer. The residence is formerly a party hotspot for movie stars and political bigwigs like Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush as well as former California Governor Pete Wilson, Joan Collins, Tony Martin, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Connie Stevens.

Inspired by the designs of renowned Los Angeles architect Paul Williams, the chateau was once the home of Israel-Curley, who founded the first women’s specialty boutique, Judy’s in 1946. She was celebrated for hosting glamorous V.I.P. cocktail parties for the rich and famous during Hollywood’s golden era. One of only a handful of chateaus in Holmby Hills, the home remains the most cloistered property.

The 7,500-square-foot estate features a grand formal dining room, spa baths, expansive living areas, library bar and a chef’s eat-in kitchen. The home is an entertainer’s paradise, boasting enough room for 300 people via 1.7 lushly landscaped acres, outdoor sauna, expansive terraces (one of which spans the home), a massive patio, large covered porch, private park, garden, walking paths, huge hidden driveway, and a lavish pool—enough space for 300 people. There’s even a secluded playground on the grounds.

The private residence’s detailed craftsmanship includes walk-in closets, unique archways, ornamental banisters, crown moldings, immaculate mahogany floors, flawless marble, sconce lantern lighting, ornate furnishings, and an impressive selection of opulent chandeliers and mirrors throughout the home.

The ADA-compliant home’s 2017 renovation added modern amenities such as Nest thermostats, outdoor lights powered by the Zwave app, Sonos speakers throughout, alarm home automation, exterior cameras, remote-controlled smart door locks.

Steeped in Hollywood history, this chateau is still suited for the stars. John Aaroe Group’s Sally Forster Jones, Bryce Lowe and Kirby Gillon have the listing.