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The 46-acre compound was built for concert baritone John Charles Thomas.
Berlyn Photography | Hilton & Hyland
Homebuyers in the market for seclusion, architectural pedigree and easy access to Los Angeles’ Westside may want to turn their gaze to a newly listed estate in the heart of Brentwood’s Mandeville Canyon.
Surrounded by hills dotted with low-hung trees and wildflowers, the 46-acre compound is among the largest residential estates on the Westside, according to listing agent Susan Smith, a luxury real estate specialist with Hilton & Hyland. It’s now on the market with an asking price of $21.5 million.
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Called Amber Hills Estate, the sprawling compound is among the largest private residences on the … [+]
Berlyn Photography for Hilton & Hyland
The sprawling compound known as Amber Hills Estate features several structures including separate guesthouses, a caretaker’s unit, an art gallery and tennis court with a pavilion. According to Smith, it’s also one of the few Westside properties zoned for equestrian use.
The 12,000-square-foot main house, designed by architect-to-the-stars Paul R. Williams, was built in the 1940s for opera singer John Charles Thomas as a weekend getaway. It was later owned for decades by the family of Donald Kaufman, the late home builder who founded KB Homes with billionaire Eli Broad.
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The main house was designed by architect-to-the-stars Paul R. Williams.
Berlyn Photography | Hilton & Hyland
Smith said that the property is unusual for its size and privacy — a rare combination in Los Angeles’ most coveted neighborhoods.
“You can grow your own vegetables, have bees — you could have anything you want, she said.” “It has its own well; you could completely go off the grid if you wanted to.”
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The estate is one of just a few Westside properties zoned for equestrian use.
Berlyn Photography | Hilton & Hyland
Past the entrance, a quarter-mile-long driveway leads rows of trees and a lake to reach the main house. Clad in fieldstone and timber, the two-story house has a classic curb appeal with a steep transitional roof punctuated by dormers and double-hung windows. Overhanging eaves create a covered porch for the charming Dutch-style front door.
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Flagstone and timber feature prominently in the home’s design.
Berlyn Photography | Hilton & Hyland
Inside, an extensive amount of wood paneling was used to evoke a treehouse-like feel in the living spaces, according to the Paul R. Williams Project. Williams oriented the home to enhance natural views of the mountains, oceans and canyon scenery surrounding it.
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The main house is accompanied by multiple structures including a tennis court.
Berlyn Photography | Hilton & Hyland
Other features include a wood-clad executive office and a rustic chef’s kitchen decked out in decorative tilework and copper flourishes. Including the additional structures, the estate has a total of 13 bedrooms and eight bathrooms.
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A tennis pavilion overlooks the lighted and fenced court.
Berlyn Photography | Hilton & Hyland
Smith said this particular part of Mandeville Canyon has long held an attraction, particularly to the who’s who of Tinseltown. Located across the street is the Robert Taylor Ranch, a massive estate once owned by Hollywood heartthrob Robert Taylor.
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Steel gates sit at the entrance to the property.
Berlyn Photography | Hilton & Hyland
Also nearby (and for sale) is the longtime estate of Allen Schwartz, the accomplished fashion designer known for his ABS label.
Hilton & Hyland is an exclusive member of Forbes Global Properties, a consumer marketplace and membership network of elite brokerages selling the world’s most luxurious homes.