Advertisement

A Tudor estate in Hancock Park

Share

An Elmer Grey-designed English Tudor estate in Hancock Park is on the market for the first time in 35 years.

Built in 1925 by the famed architect whose work includes the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Pasadena Playhouse, the two-story house sits on a quiet palm-tree-lined street surrounded by gated homes. The estate’s first owners, business executive Edward Bowen and his wife, Ella, died in 1930 after their plane went down in a storm between Oceanside and San Clemente. The Bowen House still bears their name.

Grey, who was once partners with fellow designer Myron Hunt, was known for minimizing the separation between architecture and nature. This estate is no exception, with the surrounding lush gardens giving the property extra privacy.

Advertisement

The Tudor-style home has the flavor of medieval revival, with decorative half-timbering; tall, narrow windows; and a distinctly cottage-like facade. The interior features oak floors, hand-carved mahogany panels and intricately designed plaster ceilings. Detailed woodwork is used throughout the home, such as in the front door, the staircase and the gabled roof.

Despite the medieval touches, including a stained-glass window depicting a knight atop his horse, the updated kitchen has a more modern look, with a stainless-steel oven and stove, and wooden cabinets.

The downstairs rooms open to an outdoor eating and lounge area situated behind arched entryways. Brick pathways lead to a guesthouse, tennis courts and a swimming pool.

The nearly 1-acre site has mature landscaping and lawns, originally designed by landscape architects Florence Yoch and Lucile Council, who created more than 250 gardens for estates, villas and movie sets from the 1920s through the ‘60s.

To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, send high-resolution color photos with caption and credit information on a CD and a detailed description to Lauren Beale, Business, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Questions may be sent to homeoftheweek @latimes.com.

Advertisement