I
n the foothills of the Verdugo Mountains, a 1.2-acre estate in La Cañada Flintridge holds secrets and stories of Old Hollywood's golden age. Designed by trailblazing architect Paul R. Williams in 1927, this Mediterranean revival masterpiece has been a retreat for some of Tinseltown's biggest stars.
The property, which boasts an Olympic-size swimming pool and unique structures like an observatory and tea house, is now on the market for $8.5 million – its first sale in decades. "It's a time capsule," says Compass agent George Penner. "A truly magnificent home that captures the essence of Hollywood and Los Angeles in the 1930s."
Williams' handiwork is evident throughout the primary residence, which spans 8,156 square feet with four bedrooms and painstakingly crafted details like hand-painted stenciled ceilings, black and white marble floors, and tile mosaics. Specialty rooms include a paneled library, music room, and basement wine cellar.
The estate's grounds are a gardener's paradise, featuring a garden, two greenhouses, a one-bedroom casita, and the aforementioned faux bois tea house built by a Japanese artisan in 1929. A two-bedroom guest house boasts an observatory and two-car garage, while the swimming pool is the crown jewel of the property.
Penner notes that the pool draws attention from potential buyers due to its opulence and rarity for a single-family home. "Everyone comments on it," he says. "It's just so unusual to have such an enormous pool."
The estate has been lovingly restored by its current owners, who inherited the property in 1999. Gina Guerra, the homeowner, shares stories of Errol Flynn partying on the grounds and the family's efforts to preserve the home's original architectural details while making necessary upgrades.
As Guerra reflects on her time in the estate, she reveals how it sparked a passion for gardening that led her to become a member of the Garden Club of America judging program. "I hope another family moves in, raises their kids here, and loves it just as much as we do," she says.
