From one media kingpin to another. Late billionaire Jerry Perenchio’s estate ‘Chartwell’ sold this autumn, and it was Lachlan Murdoch—son of media mogul Rupert, and heir apparent to the empire—is the man with the $150 million to drop on this wildly extravagant home, one of the most recognizable of all trophy estates in the country due to its appearance during the credit sequence of hit 1960s TV show ‘The Beverly Hillbillies.’
The property known as ‘Chartwell’ has been on and off the open market for over two years. It was initially listed by Perenchio’s estate in the summer of 2017—with an asking price of $350 million. The fall of the following year saw it at $245 million; it was listed at $195 million prior to the sale. The final price manages to set a record in California, but remains far behind Ken Griffin’s $238-million purchase in New York City, or his $350-million-plus compound in Palm Beach. Not that it’s a competition.
The 25,000 square-foot house at Chartwell was designed by starchitect Sumner Spaulding, and completed in 1935. It is unique in its comprehensiveness, and stunning in its degree of ornament. Exotic—and some downright eccentric—features of the limestone mansion include an underground passageway, underground parking for 40 cars, a grand ballroom, a 5-bedroom, 6,000 square-foot guesthouse designed by celebrity architect Wallace Neff, a 75’ pool, and a 12,000-bottle wine cellar.
Chartwell was a labor of love for Perenchio. The grounds were gradually expanded after his initial purchase in 1986, and now measure about 10.5 acres. A tennis court and a series of lavish gardens augments the limestone mansion.
Lachlan Murdoch’s net worth is estimated at $2.5 billion. Rupert’s net worth is north of $20 billion.