A historic Beverly Hills mansion once owned by Warner Bros. co-founder Harry Warner sold for $27.25 million after nearly a decade on the market.
Key Points
- Sale Price: The mansion sold for $27.25 million, below its original asking price of nearly $40 million.
- Restoration: Former owner Daphna Ziman restored the property to preserve its Old Hollywood character.
- Historic Significance: Built in 1923 for Harry Warner, the estate features elements linked to Marilyn Monroe and O.J. Simpson.
- Listing History: The property was listed on and off for years, with the asking price dropping to $31.5 million before sale.
A Historic Estate Finally Sold
BEVERLY HILLS: A Beverly Hills mansion once owned by Warner Bros. co-founder Harry Warner has sold for $27.25 million after nearly a decade on the market. The estate, originally listed for $39.99 million in 2016, had been on and off the market for years before finalizing its sale. The property was restored by former owner Daphna Ziman to retain its Old Hollywood character, featuring hand-carved oak, leaded-glass windows, and a screening room with silk velvet curtains. The sale price was below its original asking price of nearly $40 million and its most recent reported asking price of $31.5 million.
Architectural Legacy and Restoration
The 1923-built estate was designed by architect Paul R. Williams, a pioneering figure in Los Angeles architecture and the first African American member of the American Institute of Architects. The mansion combines French Country influences with Tudor-style elements, reflecting the architectural trends of its time. Located at 1005 North Woodland Drive in Beverly Hills, the property spans approximately 1.1 acres with a main residence of around 12,000 square feet. The restoration by Ziman and her husband focused on preserving the mansion’s historic details while incorporating modern comforts. This included removing later finishes, exposing original wooden beams, and recreating hand-painted kitchen tiles using photographs as guides.
Cultural and Cinematic Connections
The estate has strong ties to Hollywood history. Its guesthouse was associated with Marilyn Monroe, who reportedly stayed there during Harry Warner’s ownership in the 1940s. The property also appeared in the FX series ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,’ where it was used as O.J. Simpson’s home. The mansion’s screening room, with silk velvet curtains from a downtown Los Angeles theatre, adds to its cinematic legacy. The grounds feature European-style gardens, a rock-lagoon-like pool and spa, waterfalls, a tennis court, and a koi pond crossed by a footbridge.
A Long Road to Final Sale
The mansion’s journey to a buyer was complex. It first appeared on the market in August 2016 for $40 million, according to The Real Deal. Over the years, the asking price fluctuated, with reports indicating a last asking price of $32.5 million in March 2022 before the property returned to market. The final sale price of $27.25 million was significantly below the original asking price, reflecting a lengthy marketing process rather than a single reduction. The buyer’s identity was not disclosed in the Wall Street Journal report.
