Check Out Ava DuVernay’s $2.5 Million Hollywood Hills Starter House

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering where the rich and famous live, now’s your chance to find out. Hotshot filmmaker Ava DuVernay has just put her Hollywood Hills starter home on the market. Judging by the photos, it’s a beauty. The listing comes hot on the heels of DuVernay’s move into a new $10 million home in the ultra swanky Los Felix neighborhood. Bought in May 2017 for just under $1.9 million, the filmmaker stands to make a healthy return on her investment if she achieves the full asking price of just under $2.5 million. Is it worth the money? Find out for yourself as we check out Ava DuVernay’s $2.5 million Hollywood Hills starter house.

The Basics

According to records, DuVernay bought her starter home back in May 2017 for just a fraction under $1.9 million. Set in the celeb-packed hills of Hollywood, at least a portion of the property’s value lies in the breathtaking views it offers of the city’s skyline. As per azrealestateclub.com, the low slung starter home was originally built circa 1961, but underwent significant renovation work in both the 1980s and 2000s. Since moving in, DuVernay has made numerous modifications and upgrades of her own – which may or may not explain why she’s added half a million on to the asking price. According to the listing, the property is a haven of clean lines, minimalist furnishings, and clean-cut simplicity. Recessed LED bulbs keep things light and bright, while the huge swathes of glass pocket doors make the most of the stunning views. The spacious feel of the property is perfectly complemented by hardwood flooring and a low-key style that works the Californian vibe to the max.

The Neighborhood

DuVernay’s starter home is set in the Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California. Straddling the Cahuenga Pass, the area consists of numerous well-heeled neighborhoods, including Laurel Canyon, Whitley Heights, and Hollywood Heights. It stretches all the way from Studio City and Burbank in the north to Hollywood in the south. Home to such famous landmarks as the Hollywood Reservoir, the Hollywood Sign, the Hollywood Bowl, and the John Anson Ford Theater (not to mention such equally famous names as Leonardo DiCaprio, Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Jared Leto, and Salma Hayek), it’s an area that’s as associated with the motion picture industry as the Hollywood Sign itself.

The Living Areas

Spread over 3,600-square-foot, the property offers plenty of space for wining, dining, and unwinding. Tucked away on the main level is a spacious eat-in kitchen featuring the full caboodle of stainless steel appliances and contemporary conveniences. Ash gray cabinetry line the walls, while the dark stone countertops are as attractive as they are functional. The style is most definitely no-nonsense and starkly contemporary: if you were expecting a ‘Hug the Chef’ placard above the stove, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. The same low key aesthetic spills over into the extended great room, which features a convenient space for dining along with a cozy lounging area flanked by a contemporary gray stone fireplace and an extremely comfortable looking cream sofa. Running along the length of the room are floor to ceiling glass doors offering majestic views over the surrounding hills. The doors lead directly onto a large patio that runs the length of the house.

The Sleeping Quarters

Scattered around the property are 4 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms. The star of the show is the master suite, a sumptuous space that boasts its own sitting room and a very enticing looking bathroom with dual vanities, a small but perfectly adequate soaking tub, and a glass shower with a built in bench. One of the other bedrooms has been conveniently kitted out as a home office, while a fifth ‘bonus’ room has the potential to be used in whatever way the new owner sees fit.

The Exterior

As dirt.com notes, like most properties in the Hollywood Hills, the starter home has precious little yard to speak off. Yet despite being pressed up hard against the street front, it still manages to retain a sense of privacy – thanks in no small part to the long wall that skirts the length of the property. While swimming pools and landscaped grounds are off the menu, there’s at least plenty of parking space. Along with a one-car garage, there’s also deeded off-street parking for up to three additional cars. If you fancy checking out DuVernay’s house for yourself, the listing is currently held by Jeremy Fischer of Nourmand & Associates.

The Upgrade

Considering that DuVernay has just upgraded to a very swanky $10 million property in the historic neighborhood of Los Felix, it’s little wonder she’s looking to offload her old starter home as soon as possible. Her new house was the former home of ‘Gossip Girl’ screenwriter-producer, Josh Schwartz. ). The sale represented one of the biggest ever recorded in Los Felix. Records reveal that Schwartz more than doubled his money on the property after buying it ten years ago for the comparatively small price of $4.6 million. Built in 2004, the house is designed in the same Mediterranean style as many of the properties in the neighborhood. Occupying 6,300-square-foot, the residence contains 5 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, a movie theater, a chilled wine vault, and covered loggias with their own fireplace. In addition to the main house, the property also boasts a separate garage with enough space to house three cars, formal landscaped gardens, and a 70-foot saltwater swimming pool.

The Owner

Given that DuVernay signed a massive $100 million deal with Warner Bros in late 2018, it’s probably not too surprising that she’s abandoned her old starter home for something a little more salubrious. An LA native who began her career as a journalist, DuVernay made the switch to film in 2005 with a self-funded short entitled ‘Saturday Night Life.’ In 2011, she released her first feature film, ‘I Will Follow,’ starring Salli Richardson-Whitfield. Self-funded by DuVernay to the tune of $50,000 and made in just 14 days, the film was greeted with fanfare on its release. Her second feature film, ‘Middle of Nowhere,’ fared even better, earning DuVernay the distinction of becoming the first black woman to win the director prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Since then, she’s continued to enjoy success with the likes of ‘Selma,’ ’13th,’ and ‘When They See Us.’