The former Hollywood haunt of horror-movie legend Vincent Price—his credits include such fright-fests as Theatre of Blood, The Pit and the Pendulum and The Fly—has just arisen on the market for a blood-curdling $21 million.
The 1927 Spanish-style mansion on ritzy North Beverly Glen, just minutes from Sunset Boulevard, has eight bedrooms, nine bathrooms and covers 11,653 square feet. Sadly, the estate’s cellar only holds wine.
The actor owned the home in the 1960s during the height of his career when he delivered some of his most memorably menacing performances. If you don’t remember him from his
role as The Abominable Dr. Phibes, you’ll know him for his deep voice and raucous laugh in Michael Jackson’s Thriller video.
The current owner is billionaire Peter Sperling, son of the founder of the University of Phoenix. Sperling purchased the estate for $14.95 million in 2004 and, over the years, has carefully and sympathetically restored the property.
One of its standout features is the elegant, big-screen home movie theater. Yet it’s what’s hidden away that will have movie buffs salivating; behind a secret door is the original “Bel-Air Circuit” projection room.
Back in the glory days of Hollywood, movie moguls and A-list actors like Price were allowed to receive new films on the weekend they opened. They were delivered to the home, typically with a security guard and studio projectionist, for a showing.
As, at the time, most of the Hollywood movie elite lived in the Bel-Air neighborhood, the recipients were known to be on the “Bel-Air Circuit.”
The tennis and basketball courts. Photo: Courtesy of Nate Cook/Coldwell Banker
While a state-of-the-art, high-def overhead digital projection system has replaced the room’s bulky twin projectors for movie nights, the room no doubt still makes a cool talking point.
The cinema room, of course. Photo: Courtesy of Nate Cook/Coldwell Banker
As for the home itself, you enter through stately wooden gates and up a long drive to a motor court and covered, two-car porte-cochere.
The stunning entrance is pure Hollywood. You step through towering sculpted metal doors set in intricate, carved stonework and into a two-story timbered cathedral lobby. Look up and you’ll see an imposing metal chandelier that could have been a prop from one of Price’s horror blockbusters.
The vast, grand ballroom-style main room boasts wooden beamed ceilings, an imposing fireplace, a Juliet balcony and doors leading out on to an elegant covered terrace.
The grand entryway. Photo: Courtesy of Nate Cook/Coldwell Banker
Upstairs, the cozy master suite features a barrel-vaulted ceiling, fireplace, walk-in closets, an office and spa-style bathroom.
The spa-like master bath. Photo: Courtesy of Nate Cook/Coldwell Banker
To entertain guests, the main house features a billiards room, an artist’s studio, bar and library, while outside there’s a pool with cabana, a full basketball court, and tennis court with viewing pavilion. On the grounds there’s also a one-bedroom guesthouse with kitchen.
The game room. Photo: Courtesy of Nate Cook/Coldwell Banker
In total, the estate covers approximately 1.65 acres.
“This is one of the Westside’s most distinguished and timeless estates; a residence of exceptional privacy and incomparable restored integrity,” says Timothy Di Prizito, listing agent with Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Property Specialists.
Di Prizito shares the listing with colleague Joyce Rey at Coldwell Banker’s Beverly Hills South office. Naturally the estate is available for viewings only after dark.
The kitchen. Photo: Courtesy of Nate Cook/Coldwell Banker
The great room. Photo: Courtesy of Nate Cook/Coldwell Banker
The grounds out back. Photo: Courtesy of Nate Cook/Coldwell Banker
The twin projectors of the old Bel-Air Circuit movie room. Photo: Courtesy of Nate Cook/Coldwell Banker
