Shonda Rhimes’ Record-Breaking Hancock Park Mansion Sold to Real Estate Mogul

At the beginning of 2022, showrunner-turned-mogul Shonda Rhimes kicked off the year right by selling her luxe Hancock Park mansion for a whopping $21 million — easily the priciest residential real estate deal ever inked in the ritzy neighborhood, breaking the previous $19 million record. Deeds now reveal that the spendy buyer is low-profile real estate mogul Asher Handler, who through AJH Management and other entities reportedly operates multiple apartment buildings and a chain of nursing homes with locations in Florida and New Jersey.

Though that’s substantially less than the original $25 million ask, it’s still a whopping $12.2 million more than the “Bridgerton” creator paid for the Elmer Grey-designed place back in 2014. But Rhimes undertook an extensive renovation and expansion during her tenure, enlisting architect Bill Baldwin and White House designer Michael S. Smith to transform the formerly quirky property, once owned by actress Patricia Heaton, into a striking Italianate showpiece.

Handler’s newly acquired estate is nestled behind walls and gates, amid an acre-plus corner parcel resting on one of the neighborhood’s most prestigious streets. The main residence includes seven bedrooms and 12 baths sprawled across nearly 12,000 square feet of living space on three levels. The interiors are punctuated throughout with hardwood, crown molding, designer lighting, Venetian plaster, hand-blown skylights and eight fireplaces; and there’s also a guest house with its own beauty salon.

Other highlights include an entry foyer sporting radiant-heated marble floors; a double-height gallery lined with a row of arched glass-and-iron doors spilling out to a spacious al fresco dining patio; and a gourmet eat-in kitchen outfitted with high-end appliances, as well as a butler’s pantry and catering kitchen. A living room features the original tray ceiling, while the wood-paneled library displays a cozy corner fireplace.

Upstairs, six ensuite bedrooms include a fireside master retreat equipped with a sitting area, showroom-style closet and spa-inspired bath; and the lower level boasts a movie theater, snack bar and playroom. The undeniable star of the show: the picturesque grounds, complete with a pool flanked by a cabana, built-in barbecue, sport court and secret rose garden.

Rhimes still owns at least two other homes in Hancock Park, including an English Country house she purchased in 2017 for almost $4.6 million. She’s also got an $11.8 million penthouse on New York’s Park Avenue. Ed Solorzano of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties served as the listing agent for the big Hancock Park estate; Josh Altman and Matt Altman of Douglas Elliman repped the buyer.