A legendary property in Los Angeles bigger than either the Taj Mahal or White House has found a new owner. Spanning about 56,500 sq-ft and covering roughly 5 acres of land, the American mansion was built around 1990 for TV producer Aaron Spelling, who was behind T productions like the ’70s Charlie’s Angels, Beverly Hill 90210 and Charmed. After years of having switched hands, the French chateau-style estate called the Manor or the Spelling Manor is now home to former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
Carolwood Estates founder and CEO Drew Fenton, who represented the seller, shared the news via his Instagram. The Beverly Hills-based real estate agency celebrated the deal for laying claim to a tie for the “market’s priciest deal” of the year, putting it on par with the May sale of 630 Nimes Road in Bel-Air.
Former Google CEO buys iconic TV producer’s LA house, plans to rename it
The ex-Google chief, who currently has a net worth of $25.5 billion, and his wife, Wendy Schmidt, snapped up the famous LA estate for $110 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. While the couple’s real estate portfolio boasts properties around the world, including those in London, New York City, Washington DC and more, their latest purchase will be mostly play host to meetings and other gatherings tied to LA nonprofits and cultural institution, shared a person privy to the transaction’s behind-the-scenes.
An insider also suggested that the Schmidts have already laid out comprehensive plans to remodel the house in an attempt to maximise its energy efficiency. As opposed to its previous names – Spelling Manor and Candyland, the couple is said to call the property on in the Holmby Hills simply “594,” referencing its address (594 S Mapleton Drive).
Majorly discounted LA mansion: Features of Eric Schmidt’s new home
While the Manor’s $110 million price tag may seem like a hefty asking price to the layman’s eyes, the former Google chief and his wife actually reaped the benefits of a significant discount. After encountering countless price cuts on the market for several years, the Los Angeles mansion finally got listed for $137.5 million.
Prior to the recent ownership shift, it was sold in 2019 for about $120 million with British heiress Petra Ecclestone as the seller. The daughter of Formula One legend Bernie Ecclestone called the estate her home after Aaron Spelling’s death. The property has long held record listings, but the Schmidts made the most of a staggering price cut.
Boasting 14 bedrooms and 27 baths, the impressive LA house even has a two-lane bowling alley, wine cellar and a beauty salon consisting massage and tanning rooms. According to a house tour by the Architectural Digest, the Manor also has a screening room, which seats 20 people comfortably, with a 60-ft screen that drops into the floor. This particular highlight sits in the centre of the house. Moreover, the place features a swimming pool built with 170,000 glass tiles, and a tennis court.