If you’re a fledgling actor or singer trying to jumpstart your career — and you have a pleasantly plump bank account to support your endeavors — you just might want to check out these three historic condo buildings, all of which have units that recently popped up for rent and/or sale. All of them have seen the likes of Bette Davis, Nicole Kidman, Taylor Swift and many more; a-list stars once called these lauded addresses home at different points during their careers. The story’s gist: Never underestimate the power of the proper address, and always hope some of that magic pixie dust might be left behind!
The Colonial House
1416 Havenhurst Drive, West Hollywood
Also known as “The Bette Davis Building” (the legendary actress lived there until her death in 1989, and her name remains etched on the brass mailbox plate for Apt. 4B), this historic Grand Dame has served as home base to a legion of other previous and current luminaries as well. Think Frances Marion, Clark Gable, Eddie Cantor, and more recently, Hugh Grant, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jennifer Lopez, Jodie Foster, Julia Roberts and Katy Perry, who reportedly moved into the property shortly after her split with Russell Brand.
Designed by architect Leland A. Bryant — known for his striking residential projects like Sunset Tower, another star magnet — the Colonial Revival-style structure was built in 1930 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At seven stories, it has 21 condo units ranging in size from 780 to 2,274 square feet.
“This building is steeped in Hollywood history and has been so inspirational for so many,” says Rory Barish of Lane Four Real Estate-Keller Williams Beverly Hills. “It is a great environment to create, rehearse and write. Instead of staying at a large, flashy condominium complex where there are so many comings and goings, here it is quiet and everybody is discreet.
“You can go unnoticed if you want to,” she adds. “Nobody gawks, and you don’t have unwanted visitors, guests and paparazzi. However, if you want to walk to all of the hotspots on the Sunset Strip, it is right there and it is a very central location to the studios.”