‘Dracula’ Bites on Fixer Condo
Actor GEORGE HAMILTON has purchased a condo in the same high-rise building overlooking Beverly Hills where he has been leasing, sources say.
Hamilton, who has hosted such TV specials as “Comedy Battle of the Sexes” and “Dracula: Live From Transylvania,” appeared in the TV movies “Caution: Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health” (1991) and “Poker Alice” (1987), co-starring Elizabeth Taylor. He starred in the film “Love at First Bite” (1979) and was in the series “Spies” and “Dynasty.”
The unit that Hamilton bought has two bedrooms and a den in 2,100 square feet. He paid close to the asking price of $569,000, entering escrow the day of the Northridge earthquake.
“George bought the condo as an investment. He’ll fix it up, live in it for awhile, then maybe sell it next year,” a source said.
The condo, which is on the 23rd floor and has what is described as “a head-on city view,” is in a nearly 150-unit, full-service building built in 1968. Hamilton will continue to live in his leased, one-bedroom quarters on another of the upper floors while redecorating his new place, sources say.
Hamilton, 54, has lived on his yacht at Marina del Rey, and he has been the owner of record of two landmark Beverly Hills estates: Grayhall, a 22,000-square-foot home built in 1909 and later owned by international financier Bernie Cornfeld and then Herbalife founder Mark Hughes, and the late Charlie Chaplin’s home of almost 30 years, an 11,000-square-foot house built in 1922.
Hamilton lived in the Chaplin home for several years and refurbished it, but a representative of the Philippines government, which assumed ownership in recent years, once claimed that the actor and then former Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi had held title for their friends, late former Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos and Marcos’ wife, Imelda.
Elaine Young and Paul Czako of Coldwell Banker, Beverly Hills, represented Hamilton in buying the condo, and Su-Z Schneider and Janna Wathen of Jon Douglas Co., Brentwood, represented the sellers.
Accused Hollywood madam HEIDI FLEISS’ Beverly Hills-area home, which first came on the market in January, has been sold for just under its $1.8-million asking price, sources say.
Federico Pignatelli, head of a San Clemente manufacturing company of laser dental products, purchased the four-bedroom, 3,500-square-foot villa from Fleiss’ father, Dr. Paul Fleiss, a Los Feliz pediatrician who had owned the house.
Nobody is saying where Heidi has moved. “They’re trying to keep a low profile until her case is resolved,” said listing agent Kurt Rappaport of Nourmand & Associates, Beverly Hills.
Warner Bros. chairman BOB DALY has purchased a home in Bel-Air in the mid-$5-million range, sources say.
Daly bought a Holmby Hills home in 1990 for $9.25 million, but then he and his wife, Nancy, divorced. L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan is her new companion, and songwriter Carole Bayer Sager is Bob Daly’s. Sager, who was formerly married to composer Burt Bacharach, sold her Bel-Air home last fall for about $4 million.
The estate that Bob Daly just purchased is on two acres with a 500-foot-long driveway, city and ocean views, and a 7,000-square-foot house designed by the late architect Paul Williams. Daly plans to refurbish the house.
Clothing designers/manufacturers Francine Browner and Neil Afromsky, a husband-and-wife team, sold the home, which they had purchased a couple of years ago for about $4.5 million, sources say. They plan to stay in the area but are also said to be considering the purchase of a ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Joe Babajian and Linda May, both of Fred Sands Estates, Directors Office, had the listing, and Bob Daly was represented by June Scott of Douglas Estates.
Late actor GARY COOPER’S Holmby Hills home has been sold for just under $3 million, sources say. The house was originally listed four months ago at $3.45 million.
With its high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and open floor plan, including a dining area that seats 18, the nearly 7,000-square-foot home is one of the best examples of late architect Quincy Jones’ contemporary, light and bright style.
The house, where Cooper died in 1961, was built in 1953 as a showcase for the Oscar-winning actor’s extensive art collection. There is also a sculpted, Versailles-like garden on the 1.6-acre site.
The buyers are MCA senior executive Charles S. Paul and Dr. H. Vance Fletcher Jr., a dermatologist. The seller is the estate of pioneer Nevada hotel developer Beldon Katleman.
Listing agents were Joyce Rey and Cecelia Waeschle, both of Prudential Rodeo Realty. The buyers were represented by Don Robinson, a lifelong friend of the Cooper family who is also with Prudential Realty. The transaction was handled by Billie Davis Escrow.
