On the Market

The Farralone property
• a prime, central location
• Easy and quick accessibility to the 118, 405 and 101 freeways
• Adjacent to exclusive, gated communities Summit Ridge and Indian Springs
• Near prestigious schools: Sierra Canyon, Viewpoint School and Chaminade Prep

“One feels transported to a different time. It was like walking into an episode of Mad Men, and the only thing missing was a martini,” shares Tutor Maltas. “And yet the timeless appeal of the design is perfect for today’s family wanting ultimate luxury.”

Situated at the end of a gated driveway, the property overlooks the Chatsworth Reserve, where migrating birds and other wildlife roam. Locals like to imagine it looked much like it did in the days of the Tongva Native American settlement 8,000 years ago.

“The master bedroom faces the mountains. Imagine waking up and watching the sun come up amidst the wildlife. The Malibu Mountains turn red near dawn,” says Tutor Maltas.

Construction of the main house, 6,651 square feet of unabashed elegance, was started in 1949 and completed in 1951 by legendary architect William Pereira. He designed some of the most famous buildings in America, including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco, as well as LA landmarks the LAX Theme restaurant, the Motion Picture Home in nearby Calabasas and the LA County Museum of Art.

Pereira was commissioned to design the estate by Chase Manhattan Bank heiress Dora Hutchinson. He designed the home while working in a trailer on the property for a year so he could determine landscape and lighting conditions.

Eventually the iconic estate was rented to Frank Sinatra during his heyday in the 1950s. The blue-eyed crooner held court, entertaining the likes of Marilyn Monroe for almost 10 years. The 1,000-square-foot guesthouse, complete with brick fireplace and circular swimming pool, was reportedly where Monroe spent several nights with JFK.

“Back in those days, this area was known for being the location of the country estates of many Hollywood stars. The old Roy Rogers/Dale Evans and the Lucille Ball/Desi Arnaz estates are just a stone’s throw away,” says Knizek.

It was also known as a popular Hollywood shooting location. Many of the old Westerns were filmed in the area including at The Farralone, which remains popular with location scouts today. The home is a showcase for Pereira’s dramatic signature style with pre-case concrete columns and walls of glass that capture natural sunlight. The house sits exactly on a north-south/east-west axis to perfectly capture all the views and natural light.

The three primary structures (main house, separate two-bedroom guesthouse with its own pool, and a gym) are connected by glass-enclosed passageways and an open-air lanai. Mature trees, including olive, Italian Cyprus and fruit varieties frame the lush, verdant grounds. There’s also a one-acre vineyard, planted with sauvignon blanc grapes, with agricultural designation.

The property has undeniable appeal for the developer. There is tentative tract approval for 13 single-family homes on a nine-acre parcel. And the land is already a designated equestrian-zoned community. “This could very well be a gated community—essentially a smaller scale Hidden Hills,” Knizek offers.

“While developers will find this property interesting, it also speaks to the entertainment and design community. Farralone would be great for a recording artist or industry executive or a design and architecture enthusiast,” states Tutor Maltas.

Knizek further raves, “I’m privileged to represent a lot of the Valley’s most spectacular homes, and this is definitely one of the most special properties I’ve ever seen.”

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