Trousdale Estates: "A Life Above It All"

Vera Wang lives here. So do Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. Kelly Wearstler has lived in and sold a home in this Beverly Hills neighborhood, as has Jennifer Aniston. Aniston's Friends-pal Courteney Cox and ex-husband David Arquette have just listed their estate in this neighborhood and photographer Steven Meisel put his house on the market last spring.

What do these designers and entertainers have in common? Residences in Trousdale Estates. Paul Trousdale developed the Beverly Hills enclave during the 1950s and 1960s and architects such as Harold W. Levitt and A. Quincy Jones designed the houses. According to T, The New York Times Style Magazine, Trousdale claimed that his properties provided "a life above it all." Elvis Presley, Dean Martin and Richard Nixon once lived in the community, which eventually fell out of favor. According to New York Times writer Amy M. Spindler ["The Old Neighborhood," New York Times, March 2, 2003], John Waters described Trousdale Estates as '' 'the most nouveau of the nouveau riche neighborhoods. If anyone publishes a parody of Architectural Digest,' he wrote in his 1986 book Crackpot, 'this enclave should make the cover.' '' Despite some over-the-top design elements in Trousdale, the enclave has gained popularity during the past decade. The single-story residences offer something important that celebrities crave - privacy. The midcentury modern homes meld indoor and outdoors spaces through the use of courtyards and glass walls overlooking swimming pools and breathtaking views. Take a look . . .


 "The living room of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene V. Klein’s Trousdale Estates, Beverly Hills, residence. The room features a walnut paneled wall, custom tufted curved sofa, coffee table of picked cork and a large travertine fireplace."
Interior design by Arthur Elrod (Spring 1963).
"Arthur Elrod: A brief retrospective of the distinctive Palm Springs-based interior designer"
Architectural Digest (August 2008).


“I was looking at houses in Los Angeles, and I fell in love with Trousdale Estates,” the photographer [Steven Meisel] says, referring to the neighborhood that inspired his Versace images. “Back then it wasn’t popular at all. I remember asking my friend Herb Ritts about it and he told me, ‘It’s for old 1960s movie stars. Nobody lives there.’ ”
Photographer Steven Meisel's midcentury house in Trousdale Estates, Los Angeles.
House designed in 1963 by George MacLean.
Architectural renovation by Marmol Radziner and Associates.
Interior design by Brad Dunning.
Photography by Roger Davies.
"Martini Modern" produced by Robert Rufino.
Architectural Digest (October 2012).

According to Curbed, Steven Meisel's Trousdale Estates home reportedly went on the market last spring for $15 million.

 "The den includes sofas and a cocktail table custom made by Dunning; the James Mont ottoman is covered in a Jim Thompson silk, and the bespoke rug is by Edward Fields."
Photographer Steven Meisel's midcentury house in Trousdale Estates, Los Angeles.
House designed in 1963 by George MacLean.
Architectural renovation by Marmol Radziner and Associates.
Interior design by Brad Dunning.
Photography by Roger Davies.
"Martini Modern" produced by Robert Rufino.
Architectural Digest (October 2012).

"A sunburst mirror from JF Chen accents a wall of mica tile in the living room; the chairs are by Michael Berman, and the driftwood-and-glass table and curved Monteverdi-Young sofa are original to the house."
Photographer Steven Meisel's midcentury house in Trousdale Estates, Los Angeles.
House designed in 1963 by George MacLean.
Architectural renovation by Marmol Radziner and Associates.
Interior design by Brad Dunning.
Photography by Roger Davies.
"Martini Modern" produced by Robert Rufino.
Architectural Digest (October 2012).

"A vintage William Haines stool sits in the library, next to walnut bookshelves."
Photographer Steven Meisel's midcentury house in Trousdale Estates, Los Angeles.
House designed in 1963 by George MacLean.
Architectural renovation by Marmol Radziner and Associates.
Interior design by Brad Dunning.
Photography by Roger Davies.
"Martini Modern" produced by Robert Rufino.
Architectural Digest (October 2012).

"[Steven] Meisel came up with the idea of the hybrid home office/master bath, which is sheathed in green onyx; the teak screen is by [Brad] Dunning, and the cabinetry is by Marmol Radziner. The curtains are of a Jim Thompson silk, and a resin sculpture by Dorothy Draper is displayed on the vintage Jansen desk."
Photographer Steven Meisel's midcentury house in Trousdale Estates, Los Angeles.
House designed in 1963 by George MacLean.
Architectural renovation by Marmol Radziner and Associates.
Interior design by Brad Dunning.
Photography by Roger Davies.
"Martini Modern" produced by Robert Rufino.
Architectural Digest (October 2012).

“[Martyn Lawrence] Bullard designed the terrace’s sofas, covered in a Summit Furniture fabric, and concrete tables; the sculpture is by Roy Lichtenstein, the pool’s limestone coping is by Ann Sacks, and Stephen Block of Inner Gardens did the landscape design.
Trousdale Estates home of Elton John, David Furnish and their sons.
Interior design by Martyn Lawrence Bullard.
Photography by Roger Davies.
Text by Brad Goldfarb.
Full House” produced by Carlos Mota.
Architectural Digest (March 2013).

Vera Wang's house in Trousdale Estates (formerly owned by Burt Reynolds).
Photography by Douglas Friedman.
"Vera Wang's L.A. Story - Photos of Vera Wang's Hollywood Home" by Derek Blasberg.
Harper's Bazaar (January 10, 2012).

Vera Wang's house in Trousdale Estates (formerly owned by Burt Reynolds).
Photography by Douglas Friedman.
"Vera Wang's L.A. Story - Photos of Vera Wang's Hollywood Home" by Derek Blasberg.
Harper's Bazaar (January 10, 2012).

Vera Wang's house in Trousdale Estates (formerly owned by Burt Reynolds).
Photography by Douglas Friedman.
"Vera Wang's L.A. Story - Photos of Vera Wang's Hollywood Home" by Derek Blasberg.
Harper's Bazaar (January 10, 2012).

Vera Wang's house in Trousdale Estates (formerly owned by Burt Reynolds).
Photography by Douglas Friedman.
"Vera Wang's L.A. Story - Photos of Vera Wang's Hollywood Home" by Derek Blasberg.
Harper's Bazaar (January 10, 2012).

"The home of the comedian Ellen DeGeneres and her partner Portia de Rossi, a 1956 Harold Levitt-designed house they purchased last year."
Photography by Samuel C. Frost.
The New York Times Style Magazine, New York Times (October 16, 2013).

"At the hairstylist Sally Hershberger's William Stephenson-designed home, which is currently for sale, the roofline echoes the curve of the pool."
Elon Schoenholz Photography.
The New York Times Style Magazine, New York Times (October 16, 2013).

 "In Sally Hershberger's Beverly Hills home, the southeast-facing walls are glass, including one in the master bath, which has a view of Trousdale Canyon. Terrazzo floors continue onto the terrace, where a fountain aligns with the sunken tub. A ledger stone wall in the shower gives a rough-hewn edge to the otherwise clean stucco walls."
Interior design by Carole Katleman Interiors.
Architect: Swift Lee Office.
Photography by Robert Trachtenberg.
House and Garden (August 2007).

"The lights of West Hollywood and Century City twinkle through a window in the bar area of Sally Hershberger's Beverly Hills home. Custom-made walnut-paneled walls fitted with glass shelving create a display space for rows of liquor bottles and martini glasses. A vintage stool sits at the end of a sculptural custom terrazzo counter."
Interior design by Carole Katleman Interiors.
Architect: Swift Lee Office.
Photography by Robert Trachtenberg.
House and Garden (August 2007).

"The kitchen of Sally Hershberger's Beverly Hills home is glossy and modern. A custom concrete block wall provides texture in the stark white space while a row of plants blurs the line between inside and out; the custom-made cabinets and cupboards have a lacquered finish."
Interior design by Carole Katleman Interiors.
Architect: Swift Lee Office.
Photography by Robert Trachtenberg.
House and Garden (August 2007).

"[Jennifer] Aniston loved the tall entrance doors the moment she saw them. The Murano glass chandelier just inside is one of the first things she bought for the house. 'Jen said things like Zen and Bali when we discussed the design - rather than doing a theme house, we got at the spirit of that,' says [designer Stephen] Shadley."
1970 residence by Harold W. Levitt in Trousdale Estates, Beverly Hills.
Interior design by Stephen Shadley.
Photography by Scott Frances.
"Jennifer Aniston at Home" text by Cynthia McFadden.
Architectural Digest (March 2010).

"The living room is an intimate space that opens to views of the koi pond. The low table is from Todd Merrill Antiques. Glant linen is on the sofa, which Shadley designed, and the chairs are covered in a Manuel Canovas velvet."
1970 residence by Harold W. Levitt in Trousdale Estates, Beverly Hills.
Interior design by Stephen Shadley.
Photography by Scott Frances.
"Jennifer Aniston at Home" text by Cynthia McFadden.
Architectural Digest (March 2010).

"A pizza oven and wine room are featured in the kitchen. A travertine bar separates it from the sitting area, where Aniston and her guests can relax or watch television. Glant fabric covers the chair and the Piet Hein barstools."
1970 residence by Harold W. Levitt in Trousdale Estates, Beverly Hills.
Interior design by Stephen Shadley.
Photography by Scott Frances.
"Jennifer Aniston at Home" text by Cynthia McFadden.
Architectural Digest (March 2010).

"The game room, with its bar and vintage pool table, is 'a great hangout at parties,' says [Stephen] Shadley. “And there are lots of places to sit outside.” The sofa is upholstered in a Larsen fabric, the lampshade is of aCalvin silk, and the barstool seats are covered in Hunt leather."
1970 residence by Harold W. Levitt in Trousdale Estates, Beverly Hills.
Interior design by Stephen Shadley.
Photography by Scott Frances.
"Jennifer Aniston at Home" text by Cynthia McFadden.
Architectural Digest (March 2010).

"Heated travertine floors warm the lanai, which can be enclosed with a bronze chain-mail curtain. The fabric on the love seat and chairs in the foreground is from Holly Hunt, as are the pillow fabrics. Chella fabric covers the Shadley-designed chairs near the fireplace."
1970 residence by Harold W. Levitt in Trousdale Estates, Beverly Hills.
Interior design by Stephen Shadley.
Photography by Scott Frances.
"Jennifer Aniston at Home" text by Cynthia McFadden.
Architectural Digest (March 2010).

"[Stephen] Shadley extended the house’s eaves, which were clad in cumaru, and put in travertine flooring. The umbrellas are from Janus et Cie."
1970 residence by Harold W. Levitt in Trousdale Estates, Beverly Hills.
Interior design by Stephen Shadley.
Photography by Scott Frances.
"Jennifer Aniston at Home" text by Cynthia McFadden.
Architectural Digest (March 2010).

Trousdale Estates rental of Jennifer Aniston while her Bel Air home was undergoing renovations.
Designed by Harold W. Levitt.
Photo via Trulia (May 14, 2012. 

Trousdale Estates rental of Jennifer Aniston while her Bel Air home was undergoing renovations.
Designed by Harold W. Levitt.
Photo via Trulia (May 14, 2012. 

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