Owlwood, the storied former home of, among others, Some Like It Hot’s Tony Curtis, founder of Ameriquest Capital Corporation Roland Arnall, and Sonny and Cher, has finally sold—and to the surprise of no one, it’s one of the most expensive residential purchases in Los Angeles County history. The final cost? $90 million.
The sprawling estate in the Holmby Hills neighborhood had been whisper-listed for as much as $150 million this year. It finally sold to a development group spearheaded by the CEO of Woodbridge Luxury Homes, Robert Shapiro (not to be confused with the celebrity lawyer and vehicle for John Travolta’s recent career resuscitation).
Back in 2002, the estate subsumed two additional parcels, upping the total acreage to 10 and adding a swimming pool and an ivy-covered pool house, though two homes—one formerly owned by Jayne Mansfield—were torn down, but with over 12,000 square feet in the original Owlwood home, there’s still plenty of space for activities.
Designed by architect Robert D. Farquhar, the Italian Revival mansion features a gated entry, tile roofs, a wood-paneled foyer with a sweeping iron-railed staircase, intricate crown molding, a number of fireplaces and classic chandeliers, plush carpeting and hardwood floors.
Outdoors, there’s an enormous rectangular motor court with a fountain in its center, privacy hedges and flowerbeds around the pool, and lush lawns as far as the eye can see.