Gloria Vanderbilt (Circa 1959) and her namesake mansion. (Photo: NYI collage)
Gloria Vanderbilt’s Beverly Hills mansion has hit the market and offers a rare association with her glamorous lifestyle as a socialite, artist, actress, author, and fashion designer.
While the Beverly Hills property is sprawling, its dated interior is a throwback to an earlier era before the ’70s and ’80s when Vanderbilt’s career flourished.
As heiress to a fortune amassed by robber baron Cornealis Vanderbilt, she led a troubled childhood that enmeshed her in a sensational 1930s child custody case, dubbed “The Trial of the Century.”
Her mother, Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, and her paternal aunt, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, sought custody of her in what turned out to be a battle for control of her $4 million trust fund. The amount is equal to $89 million in today’s dollars.
Gloria put her wealth on display when she leased the spectacular English Revival mansion in 1941. She was just 17 years old and working as a high-fashion model. Built in 1927, it quickly became known as “The Gloria Vanderbilt Estate.”
B-movie queen Noreen Nash, star of such films as “The Red Stallion” and “Phantom from Space,” owned the house afterward and lived there for 70 years.
Nash died in 2023 and her estate has listed the property for $16.495 million. Nearby homes are priced between $10 million and $18 million.
As the saying goes, “location, location, location.” is everything in real estate, and the home is situated in a premiere Beverly Hills neighborhood.
The area is known as “The Flats,” a highly coveted neighborhood known for its large lots and grand homes. Just off Sunset Blvd, the estate is convenient to the world-famous shopping on Rodeo Drive, the Los Angeles Country Club, and the ultra-luxurious Beverly Hills Hotel.
First settled as “Rancho Rodeo de las Agua” in 1828, the land was purchased by a group of investors in 1914. They decided to develop it as an exclusive enclave after they failed to find oil.
It immediately attracted silent movie mega-stars like Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, who built one of the first mansions. A slew of Hollywood stars followed.
Today, the new owner can rub elbows with celebrity residents such as Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Adele, Jennifer Aniston, and others.
The rare three-quarter-acre lot — in the famous 90210 zip code — is surrounded by mature landscaping for privacy. The stellar home also has an expansive set-back from the street, which enhances privacy and security, according to listing agent Josh Flagg at Compass.
The manicured grounds include a massive pool, a covered patio, and a guest house.
The residence, an entertainer’s paradise, can host up to 400 party-goers, with parking for fourteen cars. Guests over the years have included Elvis Presley, Warren Beatty, Bob Evans and Ali McGraw.
Novelist Henry Miller, author of the “Tropic of Cancer” and other groundbreaking works, was married at the estate.
Crawling vines give the 6138-square-foot mansion an old-world feel. The brick facade is complimented by a steeply pitched roof, chimney stacks and green window awnings.
Inside, an impressive spiral staircase with windows connects two levels. Classic arched doorways separate living and entertaining spaces — a grand living room, library, expansive primary suite, five additional bedrooms and five bathrooms.
The bathrooms are expansive, but look like they could be original to the house, with minimal if any updating. The bedrooms appear to be in about the same condition. The new owners should be ready to shell out for some updating.
Some floors show extensive wear and the outdoor terrace needs work as well. Tiles are broken or discolored. Some interior ceilings also need work.
The kitchen has had some updating, but the finishes are a mishmash, hardly seems up to hosting large events, and it’s probably in need of an overhaul.
Check out the photos and let us know your thoughts. Photo credit: The Siegel Family
| The Gloria Vanderbilt Mansion, Beverly Hills |
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