The Golden Age of Hollywood is immortalized in the collective imagination as an era of iconic elegance, celebrity, and style. Originating the 1910s and enjoying a heyday in the 1930s and 1940s, this era of movie magic introduced the world to classic films and timeless idols; and Harry Warner, the studio magnate who co-founded Warner Bros. in 1923, was a force majeure who helped make it possible. His Beverly Hills home is a powerful memento of the Golden Age’s cultural legacy—far greater than any individual movie or piece of memorabilia. Warner was the prime mover of Hollywood’s movers and shakers, and this was his domain.
Rancho Santa Fe, California | Cathleen Shera, Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty
From the first approach, the home’s splendor speaks for itself. Located among the green hedges of North Rexford Drive, the Tudor Revival façade features soaring wooden frames, traditional brickwork, and artfully weathered casement windows that showcase the mansion’s world-class craftsmanship. In spite of its auspicious area code, the home manages to be tastefully inconspicuous, with subtle, natural tones that harmonize with the surrounding landscape of mature trees.
These natural colors and textures continue throughout the interiors. Warm neutrals and decorative hardwood give definition to the floors, doors, fixtures, and paneling, adding an ageless beauty that is both modern in its uniformity, and Old World in its lavishness. Millwork and exposed beams create a cottage ambiance in the open-concept living room, providing a rich counterpoint to the home’s more formal spaces.
Included in the list of formal gathering rooms are the high-ceilinged parlor with its mantlepiece of marble and wood and the traditional dining room with its ornate light fixtures and huge picture windows. A warm, coherent esthetic permeates the home’s six bedroom suites, where the décor ranges from rustic to chic. Wood takes center stage without overpowering.
The library is a particularly impressive room, well suited to the business of one of history’s most successful movie moguls. The room has the feel of a particularly luxe set: dark bookshelves and beautifully carved moldings flank deep armchairs and leather seating. Towering French doors open onto a wide balcony, further completing the synthesis of interior design and the outdoors.
The grounds are equally tasteful, with tiered, landscaped walkways winding around the lagoon-style pool. The spa grotto features smooth stones and shaded corners for lounging, while the yard offers all the seclusion of a private park, complete with a full-sized, professionally-lit tennis court.
The back of the house extends into the grounds via a brick courtyard with a distinctly European design, creating a sheltered space for socializing on the expansive lawns. Additional buildings on the property include a one-bedroom guesthouse, a caretaker’s house, and a separate three-car garage with an adjoining office. It’s no wonder this home has played host to Hollywood high society since the late 1920s.
On the topic of entertaining: Harry Warner’s home would be incomplete without its exceptional home cinema. The more recent owners added antique curtains of gold silk, sourced from a historic theater in downtown Los Angeles. There are a plethora of touches that make this mansion one-of-a-kind, such as the comfortable billiards room and bar, as well as the mirrored fitness center.
Few neighborhoods have the cultural caché of Beverly Hills, or comparable significance in the world of cinema. And Harry Warren’s exclusive estate stands among the mature trees as an enduring tribute to the Golden Age, the silver screen, and one of the brilliant minds behind it all.
Find your own home in the hills from among these listings, and live like a movie mogul any day of the week.
