Paul Allen’s Epic Beverly Hills Estate is Asking $55 Million
On October 15, 2018, Paul Allen died in Seattle, Washington, from complications from Hodgkin’s disease. Allen was the co-founder of Microsoft as well as the spearhead of many successful projects. Aside from an impressive stock portfolio, he left behind real estate holdings which substantially increased his overall net worth. His collection of residences included a hillside mansion on the French Rivera and a sheep ranch in Tetonia Idaho. Although his primary residence was in Seattle Washington he also owned a sprawling mansion in Beverly Hills, which is up for sale at a staggering 55 million dollars.
For sale
The Estate of Paul Allen has put his 1920s Spanish Villa compound on the market three years after his death. The property is located in the Crest Street Neighborhood of Beverly Hills. IT boasts breathtaking views of not only the Los Angeles skyline but also the Pacific ocean. It’s located near the historic Sunset Strip. Once you drive in the security gate and through the perfectly manicured grounds to the main house, you’ll find a driveway large enough to hold two dozen cars and a four-car garage large enough to hold four vehicles. Although the main house is five bedrooms and 9500 square feet, there are 10 bedrooms and 24000 square feet of living spread across the 3.2-acre property. The house is near another property he purchased known as Enchanted Hills, a 120-acre private island. Allen purchased the house from John Landis ten years later for 10 million dollars. The substantial rise in value was because once Allen purchased the villa, he made numerous changes that reflected his reclusive lifestyle. Moreover, he modernized many futures, creating a sanctuary away from the public eye that allowed him the most updated tech and other features that suited his eccentricities. According to Architectural Digest, he tore down some buildings to accommodate many outbuildings that allowed him to pursue many of his passions. Additionally, he expanded the land on the property, adding two more parcels.
One of the most notable features Allen added was the glass funicular. It runs from the tennis courts to the pool, which itself is very impressive. It’s Olympic-sized with a cabana nearby. Besides the funicular, the house also boasts a large movie screening room that can seat a dozen people, complete with a massage area which is 1900 square feet. Additionally, there is a gym in the house. According to the LA Times, there are five additional indoor spaces on the property. Allen had his own office separate from the house. Additionally, Allen had his own recording studio. Much like the high-tech Experience Music Project, it’s an impressive state-of-the-art space lending itself to another of Allen’s passions. According to the New York Post, it’s 9163 square feet built from steel and glass. Allen called it Neptune Valley. Staff and guests were not left out when Allen began overhauling the compound. There is a 1700 square foot two-bedroom guest house. The employees who work with him have an 1100 square foot building. Allen’s former residence is known as Transitional style, and with its impressive size, it’s about ten times larger than an average residence. Additionally, it is an eclectic blend of modern and traditional. It has three different levels with modern luxuries and classic features like a breakfast nook and library. The formal dining room has a ceiling twice the height of other portions of the house. Everything about this lavish house is about classic luxury blended high-tech features perfectly suited for Allen’s lifestyle.
Beautiful inside and out
The main house is not without some impressive features. One is the outdoor porch with Bougainvillea trees dot the area, highlighting the white clay and stucco style. Additionally, the inside of the house has not been left out. There is an architectural staircase that curves to a wood-beamed living room. There are vaulted ceilings throughout the house, and many classic features from its earliest days were left untouched. The mansion also has a professional chef’s kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances, ones Gordon Ramsey would approve. Throughout the house, there are vaulted ceilings. The main suite features a limestone fireplace, large dressing room, and classic sitting room with an exterior s peppered with decks and balconies lining the top floor. The great room has a wrap-around bar and vaulted ceilings. The property’s landscaping is immaculate and similar to what you would expect at a resort. According to Variety, Redwoods and other trees create a sanctuary on the property. There are tiny brooks that further add to the Zen on the grounds. Throughout the property, there are multiple areas for outdoor dining, including one with a fire pit.
Neighbors and history
Even though 55 million dollars sounds exorbitant. The property is known as one of the country’s most prominent compounds and is among the largest throughout the United States. Moreover, it’s in one of the wealthiest areas in the country. Many famous people live nearby the former Allen estate, including Steph Curry, Joe Lacob, and Charles Schwab. Besides the opulence of the mansion, it also has a storied history. According to MSN, Universal pictures first purchased the house for Rock Hudson, giving it to him as part of his contract. Hudson lived in the house from 1962 to 1985 when he passed away from AIDS.
Final thoughts
Paul Allen once said, “the only regrets I have are rather prosaic-like. I wish I went for a swim in the Pacific.” After adding the sprawling property to his portfolio, real estate is certainly not something he will look back and feel slighted. He was indeed reclusive and somewhat eccentric. However, his eye for detail on this property put those qualities and his creativity to good use. Allen collected properties like many people collect cookie jars or stamps. He left his mark on many different corporations as well as The Seattle Seahawks. Now, part of the legacy he left behind will live on in the hands of a new owner.
