Its luxury defied era’s hard times
The hard times that followed the stock market crash of 1929 spared some wealthy members of society, including one who, a year after the Great Depression began, built this large, three-story Spanish Revival-style house -- with views of the mountains and the ocean -- in the Los Feliz hills adjoining Griffith Park.
Illegible records make identifying the original owner and designer difficult. However, Dr. Cleveland E. Wheeler, an internationally known endocrinologist, and his family were living in the home at the time of his death in 1935, according to stories from The Times archives. His wife, Hazel Rushing Wheeler, was left $100,000 -- a considerable fortune at that time -- which Wheeler made from his popular gland surgery that he claimed restored youth, increased longevity and cured a variety of illnesses.
In keeping with the grandeur of an earlier era, a large stained-glass window, with a flower motif, frames the scene from the living room. Additional stained-glass windows, with elaborate artwork, lead up the curving staircase.
About this house: On the main level, one of two dining rooms provides a view of the swimming pool; the media room offers city views. There are hardwood floors throughout, and high ceilings. The living room has a fireplace. Upstairs, the three bedrooms have balconies.
There are two bedrooms on the lowest level; the larger has a fireplace and bathroom, the smaller, originally intended as a maid’s quarters, also has a bathroom. Near the wet bar stands a player piano with foot pedals and rolls of sheet music, which can be included in the purchase of this home.
Additional features: Restored by the current owners, the kitchen has been updated with appliances such as a wine cooler and granite countertops. The electrical and plumbing systems have been updated.
Size: There are five bedrooms and 4 1/2 bathrooms in 5,265 square feet.
Asking price: $4,395,000
Where: Los Feliz
Listing agent: Maryam Rastegar, Properties by Maryam, (310) 402-3969 or (323) 654-2365.
*
gayle.pollard-terry@latimes.com
To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, send color photos with caption info on a CD and a description of the house to Ruth Ryon, Real Estate, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A., CA 90012; homeoftheweek@latimes.com.
