Some know it as “The Beverly Hillbillies” mansion, others Chartwell. Now, it has a new name: California’s chart-topper.
The Bel-Air residence of late media mogul A. Jerrold Perenchio has sold the highest sale price in California history, about $150 million. Although the exact number isn’t clear, people not authorized to comment on the transaction told The Times the closing price is well above the $119.75-million sale of the Manor earlier this year.
Priced as high as $350 million as a pocket listing, the estate centers on a 1930s French Neoclassical-style chateau of 25,000 square feet that sits on 10 acres. Also trading in the deal was the former home of President Reagan and his wife, Nancy, which sits behind the main estate.
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The palatial estate is the sixth to sell in the Los Angeles area for more than $100 million.
The mega-estate carries one of the highest annual tax bills in the Los Angeles area at $1.3 million. In all, the estate contains 18 bedrooms and 24 bathrooms.
Classic television watchers may recognize Chartwell from the credits of “The Beverly Hillbillies” sitcom. However, in real estate circles, it has long been considered among L.A.’s great estates.
Designed by architect Sumner Spaulding, the limestone-clad estate includes such Gatsby-esque features as a ballroom, scaled formal rooms and a vaulted foyer. The custom wine vault can hold 12,000 bottles. There’s also a paneled dining room.
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Perenchio, who died in 2017 at 86, acquired the main estate and three contiguous parcels in the 1980s. Under his direction, the main residence was enhanced and restored by designer Henri Samuel and architect Pierre Barbe.
Obscured from the street by walls and hedges, the grounds contain manicured gardens, elaborate fountain features, a tennis court, a 75-foot swimming pool and a pool house. A separate guest house was designed by noted architect Wallace Neff.
Drew Gitlin and Susan Gitlin from Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices California Properties; Drew Fenton, Gary Gold, and Jeff Hyland with of Hilton & Hyland; and Joyce Rey, Jade Mills, and Alexandra Allen of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury were the listing agents.
Since his death, Perenchio’s estate has listed and sold a number of properties, including large holdings in Malibu. Across from Chartwell, a vacant property Perenchio used as a private vineyard sold in November for $12 million.