Dream house built by Bob Hope on sale for $23 million
The Hope Estate in Toluca Lake in the San Fernando Valley is on the market for $23 million. What makes this celebrity property so different from the many hundreds that go up for sale each year is that the house was designed by Hope himself. He lived and died in the property, and the Hope family has owned it for an incredible 75 years. As such, it speaks volumes about the legendary entertainer's taste and interests.
The estate is on 5.2 acres, and the eight-bedroom, eight-bathroom home is spread over two floors. The home was originally built in 1939, but has since been dramatically renovated, so that it bears little resemblance to the original house.
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A report in the LA Times quoted a family member who said it was a family joke that whenever her father went on tour, her mother Dolores would add another room. The building was then extensively remodelled in the 1950s, with far larger windows, and a huge balcony across the front of the property. The home now features plenty of glass, white walls, and polished wood floors.
The property is also home to a pool, formal gardens and a rose garden - which the couple enjoyed looking out over. Many of the rooms are positioned as sitting areas, facing enormous windows with views over the gardens.
The Hopes also commissioned the H designed into the gates of the property, and the golf course in the grounds - as Bob and Dolores were avid golf fans.
The home comes with an interesting history, as the Hope's regularly entertained, and Lucille Ball and Jack Benny were regular visitors. The LA Times claims that Richard Nixon once landed his helicopter in the back garden.
Unfortunately for the family, the property has not been snapped up. It first went on the market in September last year for $27 million, but the Daily Mail has reported that the asking price has dropped to $23 million. But what do you think? Would you fancy living there?
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