It isn’t exactly Versailles. But with its multimillion price tag and plum locale it’s hardly chopped liver either. British writer-producer Simon Mirren, nephew of the Helen Mirren, has put his longtime home in a coveted pocket of the historic foothills above Hollywood on the market at close to $3.7 million, almost twice the $1.96 million tax records show was paid for the property about 12.5 years ago.
The “Criminal Minds,” “Third Watch” and “Without a Trace” alum, whose latest venture, the extravagantly produced and heavily fictionalized, English-language series “Versailles,” which he co-created, was the most expensive French television series ever produced. The show was canceled in 2018 after three seasons but is still available on Netflix.
Desirably tucked down a quiet cul-de-sac, and nestled tightly up against a steep hillside at the top of a long gated drive with pretty views over the star-favored Outpost Estates neighborhood, the late-1970s-era home is a loose take on a Mediterranean villa with four bedrooms and three updated bathrooms. Converted from what was once the garage, a self-contained guesthouse is complete with a private entrance, a kitchenette and a private bath with steam shower.
Inside, there are high, wood-beamed ceilings, towering arched windows and, throughout much of the main floor, aggressively ordinary and hardworking mottled beige floor tiles. A curved staircase with dark oak treads divides the voluminous foyer from the airy, sun-filled living room where several sets of French doors topped by arched windows provide a seamless transition to a large wrap-around deck with panoramic views. A separate dining room is enhanced with a tomato red accent walls and a sputnik-style chandelier.
Positioned between the dining room and a spacious, multi-level family room, the kitchen is arranged around a large island with earth-tone granite counters, simple snow-white cabinetry and chef-quality appliances that include a “smart” refrigerator.
One of the guest bedrooms is on the main floor and two more are joined on the upper level by a primary bedroom that features an exposed beam ceiling and a serene covered terrace decked out with cushioned built-in banquettes and a large platform for meditating or alfresco napping.
The backyard isn’t especially big but it is unusually flat for a home in the hills. In addition to the deck outside the living room, the private oasis offers an amoebic patch of perpetually green faux-grass and stone waterfall that tumbles into an LED-enhanced freeform swimming pool and spa.
Some of the many other high-profile folk who own (but do not necessarily occupy) homes along the winding streets of the historic Oupost Estates nabe include Charlize Theron, Billy Idol, Kyle MacLachlan, Winona Ryder, Johnny Galecki, whose house was previously owned by Jason Statham and Ben Stiller, and William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman, who own two side by side homes secreted down a long private drive.
The listing agents for Mirren’s home are Douglas Elliman’s Sean Landon and Shawna Lupia, two of late actor Michael Landon’s nine children.