Johnson & Johnson Heiress Buys $17 Million Midcentury Estate in the Hills

Jaime Johnson recently sold her sublime Hollywood Hills home to actress Ashley Tisdale for more than double the $3 million she paid for the place five years ago, so it’s no surprise that the billionaire Johnson & Johnson heiress has upgraded into even swankier Los Angeles digs. Records indicate that she’s doled out $17.5 million — a nearly $5 million discount off the original list price — for a midcentury-modern compound on 15 hilltop acres bordering Griffith Park, high in the mountains above where Los Feliz and Hollywood intersect.

A Florida native and photographer, the reclusive heiress is the great-great-granddaughter of Robert Wood Johnson I — one of three brothers who founded the $452 billion Johnson & Johnson health-care company in 1886 — and the second of five children born to billionaire New York Jets owner Woody Johnson. She’s also the cousin of “Born Rich” filmmaker Jamie Johnson.

Built in the early 1950s and designed by modernist architect Kenneth Lind, Johnson’s newly acquired property has had just four private owners during its seven-decade history. Tucked away down a lengthy driveway that empties out at a gated entrance, the glass and stone structure is topped by a flat roof, and features four bedrooms and an equal amount of baths in 4,000 square feet of two-level living space. Floor-to-ceiling walls of glass throughout overlook sweeping views of the Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Sign, Downtown L.A. and coastline beyond.

Especially standing out on the stone-clad main level is a spacious living room spotlighted by a massive fireplace and steps leading to a sunken lounge area, and around the corner is a formal dining room that connects to a gourmet kitchen sporting an eat-in breakfast bar, top-tier stainless appliances and a handy wet bar.

A floating staircase heads upstairs, where a duo of master retreats share a custom walk-in closet and bath equipped with a soaking tub; and outdoors, the expansive grounds host a putting green, along with a lagoon-style pool, separate hot tub, and several spots ideally suited for al fresco lounging and entertaining. There’s also an attached two-car garage, as well as extra parking for up to 10 vehicles.