New on the Market: An Old Hollywood Horror Film Director’s Gorgeous Former L.A. Home

December 15, 2023
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Placed between the L.A. skyline and the hills, this new listing is undeniably posh. Bringing together timeless style and new stunning finishes, the expansive spread is asking $7,245,000.

This home might sit near L.A. in Glendale, but you can’t deny the faraway, European feel emanating from the grounds. Decked out in stucco and terracotta roofs, this Mediterranean-style home was originally built for Olympic golfer Clement E. Smoot by renowned architect Henry Harwood Hewitt. But, perhaps its most notable owner was James Whale, an English-born film director best known for horror films like Frankenstein and The Invisible Man.

Built in 1927, the home’s original charm pervades through the restoration despite being almost a century old. Entering from the street on Dundee Drive, the stately spread is perched atop its own little cliffside. After ascending the stairs, you are instantly whisked away into a world of luxury and lovely L.A. living. Across the 4,500 square foot home, original tilework and rounded arches accentuate the 20th-century charm—but that’s not to say the kitchen hasn’t been seamlessly upgraded with marble countertops and top-of-the-line appliances.

When it’s time to wind down, there are three bedrooms and four bathrooms on the upper level for accommodations. The primary suite has been staged beautifully, from a platform for the bed to the spa-like bathroom. Going upstairs even further, a den and study space sit drenched in light.

Perhaps the star of the show here is the grounds winding across the hillside. A stunning pool sits on the lower level of the terraces while a stunning gazebo up top makes for seamless entertaining. Most quiet and unexpected, however, is the lowest part of the property, which includes a hidden garden and walkway.

Richard Yohon of Sotheby’s International Realty holds this listing.

This article appears in the December 2023 issue of DailyDeeds.

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