Last month, after barely a year of ownership, Emma Chamberlain unloaded her “starter” Los Angeles home for $4.1 million. And in a video released this week, the wildly popular YouTuber detailed her reasons for selling, which had less to do with the house itself than its surroundings. While the ultra-contemporary structure was stylish and fun, Chamberlain noted, it was also located in prime West Hollywood — one of L.A.’s most heavily trafficked, noisy, crowded, and occasionally crime-infested areas.
The 20-year-old is now ready for some real doggone “peace and quiet,” as she puts it, and noted in the video that she’s already purchased a new home in a quieter and more relaxed part of town. But “it’s an older house,” as opposed to the nearly brand-new WeHo mansion, and so Chamberlain won’t move in for at least six months, until some extensive modernizations are complete. In the interim, she’s bunking up in a rented contemporary mansion in the hills above L.A.’s Sunset Strip.
A quick dig through property records reveals that newly purchased home is tucked away high in the mountains above Beverly Hills, on a whisper-quiet side street used only by local residents. The gated estate, mostly invisible from the street, includes a house built in 1955 and described in the listing as a “celebrity retreat.” Chamberlain paid $4.3 million for the keys, a nice little chunk off the original $4.7 million asking price.
And yes, the secluded property has an interesting, only-in-L.A. sort of pedigree. Over the past 60+ years, it’s changed hands more than a dozen times; while most of the recent owners haven’t been celebrities, the house was owned in the ’90s by actor Barry Bostwick (“The Rocky Picture Horror Show,” “Spin City”) and in the ’80s by R&B legend Natalie Cole (“Pink Cadillac,” “Our Love,” “This Will Be”) and actress Lisa Hartman (“Knots Landing”).
Records reveal Chamberlain bought the place from a non-famous couple. Despite the many different owners, the structure retains many of its original characteristics — most of them stylish in a funkily retro sort of way.
Zach Goldsmith of Hilton & Hyland and Clifford Rowe of Compass jointly held the listing; Casey Winchell Napolitano of Kennedy Wilson Real Estate repped Chamberlain.
-
Image Credit: Redfin Sited high above the street, behind a long and steep blacktopped driveway and big gates, the home packs in about 4,400 square feet of living space. A light-flooded living room features a fireplace set into a floor-to-ceiling stone mantle, while there are also hardwood floors, vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, and massive skylights.
-
Image Credit: Redfin An atrium-like dining room connects the various other public rooms and is separated from the kitchen by a convenient wet bar.
-
Image Credit: Redfin While it’s been upgraded with high-end stainless appliances, the rest of the kitchen could use a design refresh. On the plus side, there’s another big skylight for plenty of natural light.
-
Image Credit: Redfin -
Image Credit: Redfin There are five bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms on the premises. though one of those appears to be used as a home gym. Upstairs, the master retreat offers a fireplace, plus a bathroom with a “Japanese teak” soak-in tub and dual walk-in closets.
-
Image Credit: Redfin -
Image Credit: Redfin -
Image Credit: Redfin -
Image Credit: Redfin -
Image Credit: Redfin There’s also a sauna and massage facilities for the ultimate rest and relaxation.
-
Image Credit: Redfin Outside, the half-acre property provides a mixture of tranquil gardens and manmade amenities.
-
Image Credit: Redfin A stone deck is perfect for al fresco dining, shaded by gorgeous mature eucalyptus trees.
-
Image Credit: Redfin A half-court sports court is set just below an ivy-covered hillside and adjoins a grassy lawn.
-
Image Credit: Redfin -
Image Credit: Redfin On the lower level, a tiled patio surrounds the dark-bottomed swimming pool.
-
Image Credit: Redfin