“L.A.’s #1 Celebrity Home: Sinatra to Monroe & Mad Men”
Southern California’s star-studded home, Farralone, was built for Chase Bank heiress-and-socialite Dora Hutchinson. A longtime home for Frank Sinatra and, according to legend, the site of JFK’s affair with Marilyn Monroe, it has been a film site for many films and television shows including Mad Men, Californication and Dreamgirls. Recently restored, it is for sale at $21.5 million.
In 1949, Dora hired futuristic-architect William Pereira to design Farralone. He was one of the most famous and prolific architects of the time, who had also been a film-set designer, director and producer for several 1940’s movies. In his career, Pereira worked on over 400 projects including the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and his most famous, the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco.
Located on 4.3 acres in the Chatsworth neighborhood, Farralone is perched on a hilltop with 360-degree views over Los Angeles, mountains and the surrounding 3,000 acres of nature preserve. Gated and unable to be seen from the road, the 6,661-square-foot, four-bedroom, six-bath structure has 60 percent of its walls as sixteen-foot-tall glass, flooding it with light and capturing the views in all directions. Also included is a bar, formal dining area, a den-office, large chef’s kitchen with island, breakfast nook with view and top-of-the-line appliances, a number of fireplaces, and endless entertainment areas both inside and out.
Hutchinson’s guest lists contained the Who’s Who of Hollywood, including Lucille Ball, Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. When the excitement of the celebrity party scene started to wear thin, Dora moved back to her native New York City and rented the home to Sinatra, who stayed for almost ten years. Sinatra started a whole new era of entertaining for Farralone, taking it from elegant to a slightly rowdy boy’s club vibe with his Rat Pack and political buddies. Everyone who was anyone passed through Farralone’s doors, grounds and pool throughout Sinatra’s tenure. Marilyn Monroe was one of the regular guests, and as legend goes, the property’s guest house with its private pool was the venue for her scandalous affair with John F. Kennedy.
In more recent times, the property has been a filming backdrop for films, music videos, television sitcoms and fashion advertising. The house and grounds have been seen in films such as Swordfish, Dreamgirls, Transformers and Bewitched. It has also starred in television series Mad Men and Californication and in music videos by Mariah Carey, Usher and Rihanna.
Now priced at $21.5 million, the listing agent is Craig Knizek of The Agency, Beverly Hills.
“Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner Sell in LA & Buy in Miami”
A-Listers Joe Jonas and wife, Sophie Turner, have sold their Encino, California estate, which they turned into one of Southern California’s most glamorous contemporary homes. Taking two years and the magic of celebrity-designer Jae Omar, the couple purchased the home in 2019 for $14.1 million and listed it at $16.75 million in June. It recently sold for $15.2 million.
Located in the Royal Oaks enclave of Encino in Los Angeles, the 15,000-square-foot home has ten bedrooms and fourteen baths. Omar applied his skills to highlight the lushness of the landscape, including an ancient oak tree in the center of the property. Other design features that were added include a lap pool with spa, aged-wood design features, various imported stone accents and a custom wine cellar. Open and airy with high ceilings and outdoor views, all rooms are large and can host large get-togethers. Royal Oaks is one of the favorite celebrity neighborhoods in LA.
The couple already has a new home in Miami’s Bay Point neighborhood, recently purchasing a waterfront home with three bedrooms and 10,416 square feet for $11 million. Joining other A-Listers Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen, Joshua Kushner and Karlie Kloss, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, and Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, who have also moved or are soon moving to the Sunshine State.
Joe is one of three brothers who make up the pop-rock-boy band Jonas Brothers. English actress Sophie gained celebrity status from her role as Sansa Stark in HBO’s Game of Thrones.
Carl Gambino of Compass represented the sellers of the Encino home, while Ethan Peskowitz and Fred Bernstein of Westside Estate Agency represented the buyers.
