Beverly Hills Founder’s Mansion!

Beverly Hills Founder’s Mansion!

Beverly Hills Founder's Mansion!

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When 24-year-old Max Whittier came to California from his home in Caribou, Maine, the young man, whose first job was as a field hand, had no idea of the legacy he would leave in his newly chosen home state. From working the land to later drilling it for oil, Whittier entered the state when it was an open playing field for opportunity. He left his farm labor job and went to work for Union Oil Company. There he made it his goal to learn everything he could about the oil business. When oil was discovered in Los Angeles, he left Union Oil and with new partner, Thomas A. O’Donnell, the pair hired themselves out as well-drilling contractors. After they gained enough knowledge, they split up to pursue their individual goals. Whittier was on a roll. He kept moving and making money until he was able to invest in oil land. After starting up a number of oil companies, he was instrumental in organizing Green & Whittier Oil Company. It was through his association with Burton E. Green that he became involved in developing Beverly Hills. Later, after acquiring great wealth from his growing oil empire, Max Whittier built his family mansion on a 3.6 acre plot on Sunset Boulevard in 1916. It was an elegant Spanish-style structure of white stucco with 38 rooms and classical statues dotting the lushly landscaped grounds. When Saudi Sheik Mohammed al Fassi purchased the estate in 1978, he painted it in garish colors, including the statues, turning it into a destination for curiosity seekers and tourists. In 1979, the film The Jerk was filmed there starring Steve Martin. It was set on fire in 1980 by burglars, and burned to the ground. After that the remains of the original home were hauled away, retaining only the original guard house - the last one allowed in Beverly Hills. The land was divided and two elaborate mansions were built.

The second mansion with the guard house is now complete and on the market. Measuring in at 28,000 square feet on a flat 1.5 acres facing West Sunset Boulevard, this palatial new mansion has a total of 11 bedrooms and 18 baths distributed between the main house, maid’s quarters and the guest house. The guard gate at the entrance also has a bathroom and kitchen. The opulent interior has 30-foot ceilings, 11 fireplaces, formal living and dining rooms, gourmet kitchen, family room, ballroom with skylight, elevator, servants quarters, an indoor Greek-inspired swimming pool, a full gym, spa, sauna, a screening room and game room, oak library, 3-bedroom guest house, 12-car subterranean garage and a grand motor court for at least 40 cars. For more information.

With every bit of glamour that Hollywood can muster, the newly constructed mansion is on the site of the original Max Whittier mansion, one of the oil men who was credited with establishing Beverly Hills. An entertainer’s paradise first time on the market, priced at $72 million.

Source: www.hiltonhyland.com