Southern charm, Hollywood style
This Pacific Palisades home was built by a set designer in 1925 for screen-star Mary Astor (“The Maltese Falcon,” “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “The Philadelphia Story”).
Astor sold the property in the 1940s to Jules Epstein, co-writer of the screenplay for “Casablanca” (1942) with his brother, Philip, and Howard Koch. Leslie Epstein, Philip’s son, wrote the 2003 novel “San Remo Drive,” loosely based on his uncle’s life in the home. Some of the furniture mentioned in the book remains in the house. Other pieces date to the days when Astor lived there. Some of these furnishings are available at extra cost.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Sept. 23, 2005 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Friday September 23, 2005 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 2 inches; 98 words Type of Material: Correction
Epstein house -- The Home of the Week column in Sunday’s Real Estate section said the Pacific Palisades property that was once the home of Mary Astor was sold in the 1940s to Jules Epstein. Epstein’s first name was Julius, and he was never an owner of the house. The property was owned at one time by Julius Epstein’s brother, Philip Epstein. The column also said Philip’s son, Leslie Epstein, based his 2003 novel, “San Remo Drive,” on his uncle’s life in the home. The novel was loosely based on Leslie Epstein’s childhood in the Pacific Palisades home.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday September 25, 2005 Home Edition Real Estate Part K Page 5 Features Desk 2 inches; 102 words Type of Material: Correction
Epstein house -- The Home of the Week column in the Sept. 18 Real Estate section said the Pacific Palisades property that was once the home of Mary Astor was sold in the 1940s to Jules Epstein. Epstein’s first name was Julius, not Jules. He was never an owner of the house. The property was owned at one time by Julius’ brother, Philip Epstein. The column also stated that Philip’s son, Leslie Epstein, based his 2003 novel, “San Remo Drive,” on his uncle’s life in the home. The novel was loosely based on Leslie Epstein’s own childhood in the Pacific Palisades home.
About this house: Leave it to a set designer to create a Southern-plantation-style home with sprawling verandas in the Palisades, but the home’s appeal wasn’t limited to movie people. The Epsteins sold the house to the Michel family, owners of Edgemar Farms, who raised six children in the house. It is now on the market for the first time in 50 years.
Asking price: $12.95 million
Size: There are seven bedrooms and six bathrooms in 5,508 square feet. The lot is 34,848 square feet.
Features: Rolling lawns, rose gardens and regal oaks set the stage for this home, which has a vast foyer and a living room that opens to a sunroom with a bar. The wall-enclosed and gated property has treetop views, a pool and a spa.
Where: It is in the Palisades Riviera area of Pacific Palisades, near the Riviera Country Club.
Listing agent: Mary Lu Tuthill and Kathleen Tuthill Marino of Coldwell Banker, Brentwood, (310) 979-3990.
To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, please send color interior and exterior photos with caption information on a CD and a description of the house, including what makes the property unusual, to Ruth Ryon, Real Estate Section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; or e-mail homeoftheweek@latimes.com.
