Way back in 2004, Maxwell “Max” Kennedy kept it all in the family by paying Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver $2.5 million for their longtime Pacific Palisades home. Now the lawyer — who’s a son of Robert F. Kennedy — and his wife Vicki Strauss, the daughter of Pep Boys co-founder Maurice “Moe” Strauss, have officially sold that house after 18 years of ownership.
Records show the buyer is Nancy Chang, the longtime wife of private equity titan and Carlyle Asia chief XD Yang, who also happens to own the equally posh property next door. Originally listed for $11 million in September 2021, the Kennedy spread ultimately went to Chang for a substantially discounted $8 million.
When combined with her $13 million estate next door, this purchase gives Chang just over 4 acres of land in a secluded 16-property enclave that has long housed noted politicians, actors and industry leaders, plus two side-by-side homes — one contemporary, and the other an architectural blend of New England and California contemporary styles — with a total of 14 bedrooms, 16 baths and more than 13,600 square feet of living space between them. She also now owns two full-size tennis courts and two swimming pools.
The former Kennedy estate is tucked away on a private country lane just off Sunset Boulevard, and rests on a gated 1.7-acre parcel nestled between Will Rogers Historic Park and Rustic Canyon Creek. Built in 1981, the wood-shingled structure has five bedrooms and six baths in just over 4,100 square feet of decidedly dated yet light-filled living space on two levels boasting skylights and large windows.
Described in the listing as “magical” — complete with equestrian and hiking trails, footbridges and a creek set amid woodsy grounds laced with ancient oak, sycamore and eucalyptus trees — the transaction came with preliminary plans for a snazzy remodel of the premises drafted by architects Woods + Dangaran.
Especially standing out is a double-height foyer displaying a traditional staircase and built-in seating nook, which opens into a spacious fireside living room sporting a vaulted wood-paneled ceiling, rich hardwood floors and built-in shelving, plus doors spilling out to a terrace that’s ideal for al fresco dining and entertaining.
Other highlights include a formal dining room that seats at least eight, along with a fireside family room that connects to a terracotta-tiled kitchen outfitted with high-end stainless appliances, an eat-in peninsula and a breakfast nook. The master suite hosts a cozy brick fireplace and doors to a private balcony, as well as a bath with dual vanities, a sauna and big square soaking tub.
As for the backyard, it holds a grotto-style pool and sauna, and a bridge leading to a lighted tennis court in the rear of the property. There’s also an attached three-car garage out front, which is flanked by a motorcourt and a couple of accessory structures.
Santiago Arana and Billy Rose of The Agency held the listing; Fran Flanagan and Liz Jones of Compass repped the buyer.
