Aaron Spelling Home
Who would have thought that the Texas born, son of an emigrated,
Polish tailor, would grow up to become one of the most prolific
television producer in the history of Hollywood?
Aaron Spelling Home
That is the story of Aaron Spelling who wrote and produced some
of television's greatest guilty pleasures, including Charlie's
Angels, The Mod Squad, Beverly Hills 90210 and
Charmed. Spelling was said to be a modest, self-effacing
kind of man, but when it came to his home, he held nothing back.
The Manor, Holmby Hills, Los
Angeles, California
When Spelling and his wife Candy initially purchased the Holmby
Hills property, in the mid-1980's, there was already a beautiful
mansion, which had once belonged to Bing Crosby, on the 6 acre
estate. People were outraged when the Spellings razed it to the
ground and began the 4-year, $12 million construction project
that resulted in a mansion which literally dwarfed the sizeable
mansions that surrounded it.
Walk Inside
The Manor's Stats
The Manor was constructed in a classic French chateau style,
and within the 56,000 square feet of the main house, you will
find 123 rooms, 14 of which are bedrooms, 27 of which are bathrooms,
4 are bars and 3 are kitchens. It is easily the largest private
residence in Los Angeles County, where some of the biggest houses
in the country have been built. The property also boasts a 6,000
square foot guest house.
More Surprisingly…
If you are doing the math, you know that the "regular"
rooms only account for 48 of the 123 rooms in this palatial abode.
So what else does a billionaire television producer need? Well,
how about 3 separate rooms dedicated to wrapping presents. There
is also an entire floor, located between the second story and
the 20,000 square foot attic that provides enough closet space
for Candy's extensive wardrobe.
Additionally the Spellings were one of the first to build a private
bowling alley on their property, just down the hall from the doll
museum, where Mrs. Spelling showcases her extensive collection
of porcelain dolls from around the world.
Beyond the Interior
Outside the comfortably appointed interior, the property plays
home to 12 fountains, a greenhouse, a pool, multiple sport courts,
parking for 100 cars, 6 formal gardens and a waterfall. The one
remaining structure from Bing Crosby's original estate is the
stables where the Spellings oversaw the breeding and care of a
number of thoroughbred horses.
New Ownership
Spelling died in his massive home, in 2006 from complications
related to a stroke, at the age of 83. At the time, his widow
vowed not to sell the home where she and her husband had made
such pleasant memories. However, the Manor proved to be too much
for her to manage, so she listed the property for $150 million,
in 2009, making it the most expensive piece of real estate in
US history.
Two years later (in 2011), Petra Ecclestone, British heiress
to the Formula One fortune, purchased the property for $85 million,
and plans to split her time between the Manor and her more modest
home in London.
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