Posted by Leonard Steinberg on July 14th, 2011
The spectacularly grotesquely, almost tasteful 56,000sf limestone mansion belonging to deceased Hollywood producer Aaron Spelling, creator of 90210, Melrose Place and Dynasty to name a few of his famous shows, has sold and closed for the equally spectacular price of $ 85million, making it the most expensive residential sale in United States history. The buyer is 22 year old Petra Ecclestone, heiress to the Formula One racing empire and daughter of British billionaire Bernie Ecclestone.
The Spelling Mansion, originally named L’Oiseau, is situated on almost 5 acres in the West Coast’s answer to Alpine New Jersey, Holmby Hills, an exclusive Los Angeles neighborhood. The three-story, seven bedroom estate boasts every ridiculous feature a celebrity or celebrity wannabee could imagine. Among the offerings are a dog grooming room, five bars, a wine cellar and tasting room, a China room, TWO “gift-wrapping” rooms, a flower-cutting hall with a professional florist fridge, a screening room/cinema, game and billiards rooms, a bowling alley, and a beauty salon. Of course there is an elevator too. The lavish grounds combine expansive gardens, an orangery, a koi pond, lamp posts imported from Paris, a pool complex and tennis courts. The fountain-studded motor court holds up to 100 cars.
The mansion was home to Aaron’s wife Candy for a few years…she has subsequantly down-sized to about 20,000sf in a highrise.
Ecclestone is said to be moving here after her August wedding to James Stunt, a businessman and London nightclub fixture. It’s been reported that the couple will split their time between London and and their new Nouveau Riche shrine.
And we thought New York was expensive? Well, this house translates to about $ 1,500/sf, or about a quarter of the cost of an apartment at 15 Central Park West, so it qualifies as mid-level luxury in Manhattan. The same size of property at 15 CPW would cost over $ 336 Million…..unless of course you got some discounted square footage in the basement for those gift wrapping rooms.