Bel-Air, Los Angeles – A landmark of mid-century Los Angeles architecture has found new stewardship. Casa Encantada, the 40,000-square-foot estate built in 1938, changed hands this summer for $130 million at a foreclosure auction in Pomona. The transaction brings renewed attention to one of the city’s most enduring residential landmarks.
A Residence Rooted in 1930s Craftsmanship
Architect James Dolena designed the home with a clear sense of permanence. Ionic columns frame the entrance, and interiors feature sweeping staircases beneath 14-foot ceilings. The layout includes seven bedrooms and twenty bathrooms, along with multiple dining rooms, lounges, and a walnut-paneled library. Outside, terraced lawns and formal gardens occupy 8.4 acres that overlook the Bel-Air Country Club. A 60-foot tiled pool and tennis court complete the grounds. These elements together create a self-contained environment that reflects the scale and detail typical of estates from that era.
Tracing a Line of Notable Stewards
Conrad Hilton acquired the property in 1950. It later passed to financier David Murdock in 1980 for $12.4 million, a national record at the time. In 2000 the estate sold again for $94 million, another local benchmark. Each transfer preserved the original character while allowing measured updates. The most recent extensive work occurred under businessman Gary Winnick, who commissioned interior designer Peter Marino to restore original furnishings and replicate period moldings with historically accurate methods. The project required roughly 250 workers each day at its peak. Such care underscores how successive owners have treated the house as a living record of Los Angeles residential design.
Why the Estate Continues to Matter
Casa Encantada stands as a tangible link to the architectural ambitions of 1930s Los Angeles. Its proportions, materials, and setting offer a clear window into the period’s approach to grand domestic spaces. The recent sale ensures the property remains intact rather than facing subdivision or extensive alteration. For those who study or simply admire Southern California’s built heritage, the estate represents a rare surviving example of its kind. Its continued presence on the ridgeline above the country club keeps a chapter of the city’s residential history visible and accessible to future generations.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.