Hot Property: Jared Leto buys in Hollywood Hills West--not Dallas
Jared Leto of “Dallas Buyers Club” has spent $5 million on an unusual 1940s compound in Hollywood Hills West.
The 1.5-acre gated property was once part of the Lookout Mountain Air Force Station, where the Pentagon’s motion picture and photograph unit processed and edited films and photos of nuclear tests, missile firings and rocket launches.
Today, some 50,000 square feet of eclectic space includes studios, a soundstage, art galleries, a theater, eight bedrooms and 12 bathrooms. The wide-ranging interior space features tile, paver and concrete floors, sloped ceilings, arched windows and ceiling beams.
A swimming pool, a courtyard and a large motor court also are on the fortress-like grounds.
The property last sold two decades ago for $750,000.
Leto, 43, won an Oscar for his supporting role in “Dallas Buyers Club” (2013). His other film work includes “Mr. Nobody” (2009), “Lord of War” (2005) and “Requiem for a Dream” (2000). He was in the mid-1990s drama “My So-Called Life.”
Known for a wide variety of hairstyles and his striking eyes, Leto is also a vocalist, songwriter and instrumentalist for the band 30 Seconds to Mars.
Brett Lawyer of Hilton & Hyland/Christie’s International Real Estate was the listing agent. The transaction was completed off-market.
Return engagement for Hope estate
The 5.21-acre Bob and Dolores Hope estate in Toluca Lake has come back on the market at $23 million.
During their decades there, the comic actor and his wife hosted both large social gatherings and intimate visits from neighbors such as Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.
The English traditional-style home was designed by architect Richard Finkelhor, who also worked on houses for Barbara Stanwyck, Zeppo Marx and Harpo Marx. The main house, built in 1939, has nearly 15,000 square feet of living space.
John Elgin Woolf, known for his Hollywood Regency style, renovated the home in the 1950s when the Hopes decided an update was in order.
Inside, a high-ceiling foyer opens to a formal living room with walls of glass overlooking the grounds and a patio. A family room, a bar and billiard room, a formal dining room, a more casual family dining room, a library, an office and staff quarters are included.
A curving staircase leads to the second floor, which features four bedroom suites and a master wing with a fireplace and a shared study.
A glass-enclosed indoor pool and spa take in views of the flat lawn.
Outdoor spaces include a rose garden; a one-hole, three-par golf course with a sand trap; and another swimming pool.
A two-bedroom, two-bathroom pool house and a 4,000-square-foot secondary house are also within the compound.
Bob Hope, who starred in scores of movies and entertained U.S. troops on U.S.O. tours, died more than a decade ago at 100. Dolores Hope died in 2011 at 102.
The property was listed at $27.5 million in 2013 and had been reduced to $21.8 million before it was taken off the market late last year.
Craig Strong of John Aaroe Group is the listing agent.
A new mantel for his Emmy
Bob Odenkirk of “Breaking Bad” has bought a house in Hollywood Hills for $3.3 million.
The Spanish-style house, built in 1940, retains its period details such as interior archways and colorful tile stair risers. The newly refurbished interiors look out onto a courtyard.
The 2,827 square feet of interior space includes a kitchen-family room combo with a fireplace, a living room, a den, a dining room, a library/study, an office, five bedrooms, four full bathrooms and a half bath. There are canyon views.
Built-in outdoor furniture centers on a fire pit. The backyard contains a swimming pool with a spa.
Odenkirk, 52, will reprise the role of Saul Goodman in the spinoff series “Better Call Saul,” which starts next month. He has been a writer, producer and director for “Birthday Boys,” in which he also appears.
He won an Emmy for writing for “The Ben Stiller Show” in 1993 and for “Saturday Night Live” in 1989.
The property last changed hands in 2006 for $2.495 million. He recently sold another house in the Hollywood Hills for $2.45 million.
James Nassar of Westside Estate Agency was the listing agent. Sharona Alperin of Sotheby’s International Realty represented Odenkirk.
Dancing out of house, town
Professional dancers Derek Hough and Mark Ballas of the series “Dancing With the Stars” have sold a Studio City house for $1.85 million.
Set on nearly a third of an acre, the remodeled 1962 home was used in filming an HGTV series, according to the listing.
The new kitchen features custom cabinets, quartz counters and a butler’s pantry. The 3,235 square feet of living space also includes an open plan great room, a den/office, four bedrooms and five bathrooms.
There are views of Fryman Canyon.
Hough, 28, has won a record five seasons on the dance competition show since 2007. He received an Emmy in 2013 for his choreography routines on the series. The ballroom champion is taking a hiatus from the show to star in Radio City Music Hall’s “New York Spring Spectacular.”
Ballas, 28, also began competing on the show in 2007. He is a singer-songwriter as well as a choreographer.
They bought the property more than a year ago for $1.275 million.
Andrew Gulyas of Premier West Group handled the transaction.
Mistress of the house to sell
Alyssa Milano of “Mistresses” and “Who’s the Boss?” fame has listed her West Hollywood condominium for sale at $1.399 million.
The remodeled corner unit has a formal entry, a great room, a den, two bedrooms and three bathrooms in 2,252 square feet. Appointments include crown molding, plantation shutters, quartz counters in the kitchen and marble in the bathrooms.
A walk-out balcony with electronic privacy shades takes in views of the cityscape.
The security building features concierge service, a rooftop club room, a swimming pool and tennis.
Milano, 42, also had runs on the series “Charmed” and “Melrose Place.” She hosts “Project Runway All Stars.”
The property last changed hands in 2005 for $975,000.
Jason Harmon of John Aaroe Group is the listing agent.
Twitter: @LATHotProperty
