For years, a scene stealer in the Hollywood Hills
This old Hollywood Mediterranean has appealed to more than one celebrity over its 80-plus years.
In the ‘20s, it was owned by actress Joan Crawford. In the early ‘90s, it was purchased by TV and radio personality Leeza Gibbons and her husband, actor Steve Meadows.
Meadows built a 2 1/2 -story, 1,500-square-foot guesthouse in 2000 with a state-of-the-art sound studio, an office and a bedroom. He worked on painting, sculpting and editing in the guesthouse while Gibbons hosted and produced her radio show “Hollywood Confidential” from a small radio booth she had built in the home.
Gibbons launched a life-coaching website, www.sheerinspirationcoaching.com, in her home office, from which she can hear a waterfall just outside.
“It’s my favorite spot,” she said, “since it is so private and overlooks the pool.” It’s where she also runs the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, in honor of her mother and late grandmother, both afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease.
A multi-tasker, Gibbons had her bathroom equipped with a salon-style shampoo bowl. There, she would be briefed by producers while getting her hair cut, colored and styled for events.
Meadows did much of the work on the house, renovating and remodeling the compound from top to bottom and making certain that the main house, built in 1926, continued to reflect its original architecture.
A stroll through the house is like a step back in time. Features include thick walls, carved moldings and French doors. The three-story home has a tile roof, an art studio, a library, a sauna, a sun room and wine cellar. There’s even a service entrance.
“Moving is bittersweet, because our family has thrived there,” Gibbons said. She and Meadows are separated but co-parenting their three young children, she added.
About this house: “The old Hollywood setting has been perfect for entertaining and for family traditions,” Gibbons said.
“I think there are still Easter eggs left over from one of our annual hunts ... near the koi pond.”
Gibbons describes the home as “perfect for someone in the entertainment industry.”
Asking price: $7,995,000
Size: There are eight bedrooms and 6 1/2 bathrooms in the 11,137-square-foot compound.
Features: The gated home has a long, private drive on its 1.2 park-like acres. The estate also has a view of the city. Other features are a bar; bonus room; breakfast room; den; gym; loft; and patios, enclosed and open.
Where: Off Hollywood Boulevard, it’s in the Sunset Strip area also known as Hollywood Hills West.
Listing agents: Drew Mandile, (310) 786-1803, and Brooke Knapp, (310) 786-1802, both of Sotheby’s International Realty, Beverly Hills.
Send color interior and exterior photos with caption information on a CD and a description of the house to Ruth Ryon, Real Estate section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Questions may be e-mailed to homeof theweek@latimes.com.