Architecture Wednesday: The Castle

This Art Nouveau Castle sits on almost two acres of gardens and landscape in Los Angeles, California. Built in 1924 by celebrated architect A.F. Leicht this 5,500 square foot, five bedroom and seven bathroom grand art nouveau mansion, with a separate studio and guest apartment can be yours for the low price of $9,885,000.

That’s right! For under $10 million you can have panoramic city views from downtown LA to the Pacific Ocean and indescribable interior details such as Egyptian-inspired geometric pillars and repeating arched passageways overlooked by curving gilded ceilings. There is a majestic two-story living room, an octagonal lounge-study with endless windows surveying the private acreage, arched passageways, gilded ceilings, turret rooms, and a stone staircase rising from the entry hall 26 feet and higher to the observation tower which opens to an expansive roof terrace that echoes the nearby Griffith Observatory for views, altitude and drama. Private bedroom suites provide separate comfort and are perfectly arranged for guests or family enjoyment.

A gated motorcourt and porte-cochere lead to separate garage, studio and guest apartment while meandering pathways guide you to the gardens, a basketball court, and an immense 2nd flat lot with the potential to create more living space or construct a residential destination to enhance the inspired compound setting.

Known locally as “The Castle” it has been home to a long list of celebrity owners including Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, actor John Philip Law, John Getty from the J. Paul Getty oil fortune, and tenants such as Bob Dylan, Andy Warhol, and The Velvet Underground.

If you ever felt the need to live in a castle—and who hasn’t—this is your chance to scrape up less than ten million dollars and become the king, or queen, of your own magnificent palace.

Dwell