| File:LEBV.jpg The 428-page book of the Legendary Estates of Beverly Hills' | |
| Author | Jeffrey Hyland |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Rizzoli International Publications |
Publication date | November 2008 |
| Publication place | California |
| Media type | Hardcover / 428 pages / 16” x 12” / over 300 illustrations |
The Legendary Estates of Beverly Hills (Rizzoli 2008) by Jeffrey Hyland is the definitive history of the 50 most famous estates in Los Angeles’ three finest neighborhoods: Beverly Hills, Holmby Hills, and Bel-Air.
Hyland explains the history and importance of each estate, and he tells the little-known stories of the many famed owners, from their passionate involvement in the design of these costly and architecturally distinguished properties, to their intrigues and calamities.
Historical photographs, mostly taken during the 1920s and 1930s when many of the estates in the book were constructed, depict their original appearance. Other historical photographs show some of the first residents at their homes.
Over 250 color photographs, all commissioned for this book, take readers beyond the gates, and show these estates today: the mansions, their interiors, the gardens, and the art collections.
The December 2008 BookPage, the national book review publication, declared that “this amazingly researched and illustrated history of 50 incredible estates includes a who’s who of notables involved, as well as an authoritative look at the convergence of architectural styles (and audacity) that are as integral to Southern California as palm trees.” [1]
A review in the November 30, 2008 New York Post declared that “Jeffrey Hyland unlocks the gates of some of the lushes, most lingering-gaze inspiring homes on the planet.”[2]
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Carolwood Drive, Holmby Hills
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Fleur de Lys, Holmby Hills
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Contemporary Masterpiece, Bel-Air
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Foothill Road, Beverly Hills
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Art Collector's Home, Holmby Hills
The book answers questions like:
What was the costliest estate ever built in Beverly Hills?
What silent star built the grandest estate ever created by a Hollywood celebrity?
Which collector of contemporary art purchased so many artworks—including paintings by de Kooning, Pollock, and Warhol—that he ran out of space in his mansion and put some of his favorite works on the ceiling?
What estate—which cost $4 million in the 1920s—was a crime scene in one of Los Angeles’ most misunderstood murders?
Which lavish Bel-Air estate was home to the notorious player known as the “Love Captive”?
Which “Merry Widow” built one of the greatest Bel-Air estates, only to lose everything because of her partying and gambling?
The architects and landscape architects who created these estates are featured in The Legendary Estates of Beverly Hills, from their design inspirations to their relationships with their clients. Some of their original floorplans and watercolor renderings are published in the book.
Hyland tells the history of Beverly Hills, Holmby Hills, and Bel-Air, including the growth of these communities, and why they remain highly desirable today. In the last chapter, “Gone But Not Forgotten,” he pays homage to great estates that have been destroyed or lost to history.
Many of the historical photographs, which depict both demolished estates and the properties which survive today, have not been published before this book.
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The Enchanted Hill, Beverly Hills
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Buster Keaton Estate, Beverly Hills
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Colleen Moore Estate, Bel-Air
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Hillgrove: Location for Many Films, Beverly Hills
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Casa Encantada, Bel-Air
