8 minute read
My Neighborhood
Hotel Bel-Air
—BEL AIR— Bel of the Ball
PHOTOGRAPHER ADAM LATHAM loves exploring the world, and that includes his own corner of it in Bel Air. The prime residential area in Los Angeles is known for gorgeous estates just off the beaten path, with very little commercial activity.
Tucked into the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, Bel Air owes its name to oil millionaire Alphonzo Bell, who founded the town in 1923 and built the fabled Bel-Air Country Club two years later. (Howard Hughes famously landed a private plane on its golf course when he was late to meet Kate Hepburn.) Like
the Country Club, the Hanna Carter Japanese Gardens are a local icon, dotted with streams and stone carvings.
Speaking of icons, Bel Air has long drawn famous residents. But despite its star power, “It’s a friendly community,” Latham assures. “Though it’s just a few minutes from Sunset Boulevard, it feels remote to be up in the hills without the noise of the city.” —Lisa Rosen
—Adam Latham
Adam Latham The bar at Hotel Bel-Air
VIEW FINDER
Latham owns an architectural photography business; clients include the Hollywood Bowl, Walt Disney Center, and Douglas Elliman brokers. (belairphotography.com) On the way home from shooting beautiful houses, he sees even more. “I’ll walk or drive around the Bel Air Estates to enjoy the architectural styles and landscaping,” he says. “The East Gate to Bel Air Road has the famous blue neon sign. The West Gate, at Bellagio Road, is more imposing, with dramatic arches at the entrance, a bit like Paramount Studios. There’s a guardhouse by the gates, but the roads are open to all.
SECRET TREK
Latham lives next to the stunning Stone Canyon Reservoir. “Above my house, right next to the lake, is a trail that takes you past a Buddhist stone labyrinth that was created decades ago and has been studiously maintained by local residents ever since. Park at the end of Scenario Lane and then walk up the path to go to the reservoir and the labyrinth. There are no signs. Above the labyrinth is a gorgeous lookout point with 360-degree views.”
IN GOOD TASTE
“There’s nothing in Los Angeles like the Hotel Bel-Air (701 Stone Canyon Rd., 310.909.1644). As soon as you walk the bridge across Swan Lake, with its famous swans, you feel like you’ve been transported to a fairy-tale village.” And the dining is nonpareil. “The bar has a timeless elegance. The fire is always lit, and there’s often someone playing piano. I take a corner banquette and get a burger and a cocktail, the Norma Jean. On the menu it’s virgin, but I add rum to it.
“The hotel is also the home of Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air. By far the best restaurant in Bel Air, it’s a stunning patio setting with romantic lighting,” Latham says. The menu changes often, but the caviar and steak are permanent fixtures. “It feels incredibly intimate and has spectacular service.”
NIGHT LIGHTS
“For a quiet little place, we do have proper nightlife:
Herb Alpert’s Vibrato
(2930 Beverly Glen Cir., 310.474.9400). It looks like a hole in the wall in a strip mall, but the minute you walk through the door, you feel like you’re in a New York jazz club. For pandemic times, they took the entire back parking lot and created a huge open-air area with seats and lighting and a stage. It draws a destination crowd.”
Herb Alpert’s Vibrato CALIFORNIA
Stone Canyon Reservoir
GRAND MODERNIZED TUDOR | Hancock Park | $9,998,000 Sited on one of Hancock Park's most coveted streets, this private Tudor boasts a gated driveway with porte-cochère and rear motor court, guesthouse, mosaic tiled pool, fenced lawns and gardens, canopy refuge and expansive entertaining terraces that offer the ultimate living in discreet, secured surroundings. Public spaces include a library, game room, wine cellar and projection cinema. Web# 21720170.
GATED OCEAN VIEW ESTATE | Pacific Palisades | $13,850,000 This traditional residence on an enormous double ocean-view lot inside the guard-gated Ridgeview Country Estates delivers splendid volume and handcrafted design. Spacious open ow leads to unforgettable 2-story circular library that presents multifunctional use and opens to the outdoor pool and expansive grounds for entertaining events on a grand scale. Web# 21716746. MEDITERRANEAN COMPOUND | Hancock Park | $14,850,000 Introducing a once-in-a-lifetime legacy estate in Hancock Park, owned by one of the most proli c design couples in the area–interior designer Brian Little and lifelong partner, Timothy Enright. With nearly 200ft of frontage along the Wilshire Country Club golf course, this estate affords the most dramatic fairway views found in all the region. Web# 21753830.
Ernie Carswell, DRE# 01111566 | O: 310.345.7500 | ernie.carswell@elliman.com Christopher Pickett,, DRE# 01475927 | O: 310.800.7103 | christopher.pickett@elliman.com
HIGH-RISE RESIDENCE WITH VIEWS | Century City | $4,695,000 This contemporary, southwest facing 2-bedroom, 3-bathroom unit features a direct entry elevator, abundant natural light, an open oor plan, a gourmet kitchen with high-end appliances, replace, spacious terraces and views from Downtown Los Angeles to the Paci c Ocean. Located in The Century, one of the most coveted and prestigious high-rise buildings in Los Angeles. The building features a tness center, private spa treatment rooms, wine storage, screen room, business center, playroom, private dining area and an on-site restaurant. Designed by Robert A.M. Stern, this 42-story luxury tower has been awarded LEED-Silver certi cation. Web# 21681500.
Dena Luciano, DRE# 01827352 | O: 310.600.3848 | dena.luciano@elliman.com
CONTEMPORARY LIVING | Bel Air | $15,750,000 A true timeless masterpiece featuring the latest in technology, materials and infused with Old World class and spectacular magic. Completely remodeled and completed in 2014, this state-of-the-art home boasts an open oor plan, vacuum elevator, theater, 23-foot grand foyer ceilings, 70-foot quartz in nity pool, motor court and more. Web# 21740922. Bachir Oueida, DRE# 00936311, O: 310.722.7727, bachir.oueida@elliman.com
EXQUISITE EUROPEAN VILLA | Beverly Ridge Estates | $21,995,000 Sited on approx. 2 acres within the prestigious guard-gated enclave of Beverly Ridge Estates, gorgeous sunsets serve as the perfect backdrop to the in nity-edge pool, oating sky deck and stunning canyon views from this exquisite architectural home. This tranquil setting is surrounded by sprawling lush landscape, mature fruit trees with vistas of green from every room inspiring a seamless transition from the indoors to out. Web# 21725760. Connie Blankenship, DRE# 01353414, O: 310.994.6451, connie.blankenship@elliman.com
LIVE+WORK ON ABBOT KINNEY | VENICE | $18,000,000 or $75,000/Mo. Lease Located in the most prominent tech hub in LA, this live+work compound is moments away from Venice’s hottest boutiques, galleries and dining. The workspace boasts an executive of ce, a conference area, 2 designated secondary of ces and lounge. Featuring soundproof reinforced steel walls, bulletproof glass and separate controlled access to the residence and workspace. Web# 21730870. Tracy Tutor, DRE# 01326769, O: 310.595.3889, tracy.tutor@elliman.com, Gina Dickerson, DRE# 01927834, O: 310.595.3889, gina.dickerson@elliman.com
CASA PUNTA DE LA CORONA | Laguna Beach | $11,849,000 Escape to this unparalleled oceanfront estate that sprawls across Crown Point, one of the most dramatic bluff tops. Secluded on an approx. 7,800sf lot embracing the coastline, this location delivers year-round sunset views over the Paci c Ocean. This home comes with approved plans for an approx. 4,460sf soft-contemporary home. Web# LG21108617. Brad Bankenbush, DRE# 02006270, O: 949.335.8616, brad.bankenbush@elliman.com, Ariana Gaffoglio, DRE# 01904201, O: 949.315.1111, ariana.gaffoglio@elliman.com
WARM MINIMALISM
LOCATED AT THE EPICENTER OF THE MOST CHIC NEIGHBORHOOD IN WEST HOLLYWOOD, Astéras Kings is distinguished by its attention to detail in a sophisticated contemporary design offering functional floor plans, warm minimalist finishes and curated services and amenities. The building is articulated through a palette of materials that mark the contemporary design of the building while preserving the integrity of the neighborhood. Expansive indoor and outdoor living areas with aperitivo bars and central courtyards allow the blurring of the outdoors into the indoors. Daylight pours in through the full-height walls of glass with corner radius windows. Custom-designed kitchens with fumed-oak receding doors allow the kitchens to disappear while bringing attention to the leathered-stone kitchen islands.
The renderings and images of the proposed project are the artist’s rendering and are conceptual only and may not be to scale or shown in their final as-built condition. No real estate broker or agent is authorized to make any representations or other statements regarding the project, and no agreements with deposits paid or other arrangements shall bind the developer. This is not an offer to sell, but is intended for information only. The developer reserves the right to make modifications in materials, specifications, plans, pricing, designs, scheduling and delivery of homes without prior notice. All dimensions and square footages are approximate. Plans and dimensions may contain variations from floor to floor. Equal Housing Opportunity. Exclusively represented by Douglas Elliman. DRE# 01947727
IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY
AMENITIES
• Private screening room • Fitness studio and yoga terrace • Heated spa pool with sundeck lounge • Rooftop terrace and café bar • Full-time concierge and valet • On-site attaché for resident requests • Car detailing and pet wash
Angelo Karras karras@elliman.com
LEASING GALLERY
838 North Kings Road West Hollywood, CA 90069 By appointment only
