1930s Spanish Hacienda Is Steeped in Historic Atmosphere and Romance

Nowadays, most Los Angeles residents only know the name John Anson Ford from seeing it on a ticket for a show at the outdoor amphitheater in the hills opposite the Hollywood Bowl that bears his name. An LA County Supervisor between the years of 1934 and 1958, Ford was posthumously honored with the public venue’s renaming in commemoration of his important contributions to the arts in Los Angeles. Among his achievements, Ford played an instrumental role in establishing LA County’s Arts Commission, the founding of LACMA, the building of Downtown’s Music Center, and the county’s acquisition of Descanso Gardens.

Along with helping to make Los Angeles more cultured, Ford also helped make it less corrupt, joining forces with civic reformer/restaurateur Clifford Clinton and former LAPD officer Harry Raymond to expose the organized crime being perpetrated by then-mayor Frank Shaw and police chief James Davis. An uphill battle if ever there was one, but thanks in large part to Clinton, Ford, and Raymond’s dedicated efforts, Shaw eventually received the dubious honor of being the first mayor of a major American city to be recalled from office.

On the above reasons alone, it would be entirely justified for the Los Feliz residence Ford called home for four decades to be awarded Historic-Cultural Monument designation, but, as city Cultural Heritage Commission documents detail, it also qualifies for landmark status as a valuable representation of Spanish Colonial Revival-style residential architecture. Unfortunately, the name of the person who actually designed the exceptional residence remains a mystery, though building permits and census records show it was constructed in 1932 for insurance broker Arthur E. Cummings. It was purchased 14 years later by Ford who was to use it as his home until his death in 1983 at the age of 100.

Located a little southeast of the Fern Dell entrance to Griffith Park, the tile-roofed hacienda wraps around a central courtyard in a “U” shape. A covered arcade leads to its rusticated wood front door, on the other side of which awaits a dramatic foyer with coffered and tiled ceiling and stained-magnesite staircase enhanced with colorful painted-tile risers. To the right of the staircase is a show-stopper of a living room, featuring a massive stained-glass window, carved-plaster fireplace, and double-height ceilings capped by hand-stenciled beams. Straight ahead lies the dining room and modernized kitchen with marble countertops and sink, and breakfast nook with built-in window seat. Another staircase off the kitchen spirals down to a subterranean level where you’ll find a plush library/entertainment lounge with disappearing projector screen and stenciled-beam ceilings.

The 4,538-square-foot residence distributes five bedrooms, four full baths, and two half-baths between its multiple levels. Judging by listing photos, at least two of the bathrooms still possess fantastic Art Deco tile and matching fixtures, with the primary bath’s black/green/pink combo particularly resplendent. Other notable character traits include built-in bookcases and vanities, French doors, casement windows, stepped-tray ceilings, and elaborate wrought-iron sconces and railings. Outdoor spaces include multiple courtyards and patios appointed with such built-in amenities as a fire-pit, barbecue station, and bench seating.

Last sold in 2020 for $3.6 million, the Mills Act-eligible property is now asking $4.5 million. Carl Gambino and John Bercsi of Compass hold the listing.