Former L.A. Sparks owner sells Hollywood legacy estate

Former Los Angeles Sparks part-owner Carla Christofferson has sold her home in Hollywood Hills West for $4.5 million.

Marked by a dramatic tiled stairway and fountain, the Old Hollywood estate was home to actor and singer Russ Columbo in the early 1930s. In 1935, the residence was purchased by character actor Alan Hale Sr., whose family held on to it until 2002.

Built in Mediterranean style in 1928, the two-story home is distinguished by beamed ceilings, stone and hardwood flooring and period ironwork. Within the 4,725 square feet of living space is a formal living room, a grand dining room, a chef’s kitchen, an office, a home theater, four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. There are five fireplaces.

Tiered grounds of more than an acre center on a pool with a cabana, set off by city views. Elsewhere is an outdoor dining terrace, a sports court and a courtyard lined with antique Spanish tile.

The home returned to the market in February with an asking price of $4.995 million, according to Redfin. It previously sold in 2006 for $5.1 million.

Jason Oppenheim of the Oppenheim Group represented the buyer and the seller.

Christofferson was part of the investment group that purchased the Sparks from late Lakers owner Jerry Buss for $10 million in 2006. She remained part of the ownership group after Williams Group Holdings became the primary investor in 2007 and up until the WNBA team was sold to an investment group led by Magic Johnson and Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter last year.

Formerly a managing partner at O’Melveny & Myers LLP in Los Angeles, Christofferson joined AECOM as an executive vice president and general counsel this month.

Twitter: @NJLeitereg