Set a spell; take your shoes off
The Bel-Air estate may be known as Chartwell, but it’s off the charts in terms of asking price. The home of late Univision billionaire A. Jerrold Perenchio is for sale at $350 million — making it the most expensive U.S. residential listing.
“There are very few [homes] of this caliber in Los Angeles,” said Corey Weiss of John Aaroe Group. “Like the Playboy Mansion and other homes in Bel-Air, the initial asking price is in the stratosphere.”
Classic-TV watchers may remember the 25,000-square-foot main residence, built in 1933, from the credits of the sitcom “The Beverly Hillbillies.”
Designed by architect Sumner Spaulding for grand entertaining,
the mansion was inspired by 18th century French neoclassical style. Under Perenchio’s direction, it was enhanced and restored by designer Henri Samuel. Features include a detailed limestone facade, a ballroom, a wine cellar and a paneled dining room.
The property was amassed during the last 30 years to include 10.3 acres of grounds. Adjacent sites acquired to expand the estate include a Wallace Neff-designed guesthouse and the long driveway. The grounds contain manicured gardens, a tennis court, covered parking for 40 cars, a 75-foot swimming pool and a pool house.
The price is jaw-dropping, but Drew Mandile — the agent who has brokered past deals for the famed Owlwood estate and Fleur de Lys — noted that L.A. is a prime target for wealthy international buyers.
“People are seeing the prices in L.A. as good prices when you
compare them to other places,” he said. “Here you get a lot of land. Weather here is amazing, and people like it here; it has been recognized as a great place to live.”
And, he added, “it is the most prime estate around.”
Perenchio, former chairman and chief executive of Univision, died in May at 86.
The property is listed by Jeff Hyland, Drew Fenton and Gary Gold of Hilton & Hyland; Joyce Rey, Jade Mills and Alexandra Allen of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury; and Drew Gitlin and Susan Gitlin of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services.