Acting Legend John Barrymore’s Exotic ‘Bella Vista’ Estate Lists For $19.5 Million In Beverly Hills

Real Estate

Bella Vista is listed for $19.5 million.Adrian Anz

Acting legend John Barrymore starred in the 1932 film classic, Grand Hotel, the first film featuring an All-Star ensemble cast in a large animated venue with overlapping storylines. In real life, Barrymore lived in Bella Vista, an equally grand Beverly Hills estate where a similar roster of Hollywood stars and storylines crossed paths.

The listing includes two cottages, where Hollywood elite once stayed.Adrian Anz

Outdoor patioAdrian Anz

Nearly a century after he acquired the estate, Barrymore’s Bella Vista is reintroduced to market in grand fashion for $19.5 million. Jade Mills of Coldwell Banker has the listing.

The compound for sale spans 1 acre.Adrian Anz

Exteriors boast lush landscaping.Adrian Anz

John Barrymore (superstar of screen, stage and radio) was part of the legendary Barrymore-Drew clan of actors—which includes his father Maurice, mother Georgiana, brother Lionel and sister Ethel (for whom the Barrymore Theater on Broadway is named), and granddaughter Drew Barrymore, who starred in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster film, E.T.

Georgiana Barrymore (nee Drew) with her children, John (on lap), Lionel, and daughter Ethel. (AP Photo)

Drew Barrymore (granddaughter of John Barrymore Sr) starred in E.T. in 1982. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac)

John Barrymore was acclaimed for such stage roles as Hamlet and Richard III, and film roles Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920), Sherlock Holmes (1922) and Sea Beast (1926). His classic films Grand Hotel (1932), Twentieth Century (1934) and Midnight (1939) were inducted into the National Film Registry.

Bella Vista was built by architect John Byers in the mid-1920s.Adrian Anz

Bella Vista is a sprawling red-roofed Spanish Colonial compound.Adrian Anz

Bella Vista is a sprawling red-roofed Spanish Colonial compound built in the 1920s by architect John Byers for innovative filmmaker King Vidor, who directed The Champ, War & Peace and The Wizard of Oz’s black-and-white Kansas scenes. In 1927, Vidor sold Bella Vista to Barrymore who lived lavishly (and tumultuously) at the compound, which by then had expanded to seven acres and 16 structures, including a famous aviary with stained glass windows that housed approximately 500 birds, according to Variety.

Unique redwood tree flooring and fireplace.Adrian Anz

Redwood tree trunk floors in the pubAdrian Anz

In the 1930s, the aviary was converted to a guest cottage which was reportedly rented out to Hollywood elite such as Katharine Hepburn, Marlon Brando and Candice Bergen. Barrymore lived at Bella Vista until his death in 1942.

The estate is distinguished by various chandelier styles.Adrian Anz

One of the compound’s seven bedroomsAdrian Anz

Bella Vista translates to “beautiful view,” and it doesn’t disappoint with its promontory vistas of downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean. In 2015, 3.4 acres of the expansive estate (six parcels) hit the market for $42.5 million. In March 2017, a limited sector of the compound (two parcels) was offered at $26.9 million.

Elegant bedroom parlor area with view.Adrian Anz

Bella Vista translates to “beautiful view.”Adrian Anz

The new Bella Vista listing includes 1 acre of land with the historic 7,000-square-foot main residence, two attached renovated industrial-style contemporary apartments (with separate exterior entrances), and two guest cottages (one of which used to house the aviary). This compound features seven bedrooms, nine full baths and two half baths—some spaces contemporary, others traditional. Dens, libraries, bars, office nooks, carport, wood, cement, colored tile, this compound runs the gamut.

Much of Bella Vista’s original character was preserved, even with contemporary upgrades.Adrian Anz

This room is a blend of past and present.Adrian Anz

Highlighted by eccentric characters, the Barrymore family story is one of privilege, decadence and bizarre behavior—like John Barrymore stealing an Alaskan Tlingit Tribe totem pole from an unoccupied village during a sailing trip to Alaska in 1931, which found an illegitimate home at Bella Vista.

Contemporary living spaceAdrian Anz

Contemporary kitchenAdrian Anz

Some of that adventurous spirit still inhabits unconventional spaces inside Bella Vista’s gates, where exteriors are beautified by lush landscaping, meandering paths, koi ponds, fountains, and a large Hollywood-style waterfall pool.

Opium denAdrian Anz

Large poolAdrian Anz

Bella Vista’s quirkier traits are preserved from a bygone Barrymore era, including an opium den over the master bedroom, redwood tree trunk floors in the pub, elaborate chandeliers, artful ceilings, and secluded nooks. Barrymore reportedly dedicated one room as a trophy display for his prized eclectic collections—shrunken heads and dinosaur egg included.

Interior designer Kathryn Ireland gave the main residence a high-styled makeover.Adrian Anz

Painted ceilingAdrian Anz

The main three-bedroom residence received a high-style makeover—reimagined by interior designer Kathryn Ireland of Bravo’s Million Dollar Decorators fame. It showcases wood-paneled rooms, ornate fireplaces, a cigar lounge and a wine cellar. The master suite includes a huge bathroom and a wrap-around veranda with access to the opium den (via a hand-carved ladder).

Updated interiors in the three-bedroom main residence.Adrian Anz

Elegantly styled nook with unique chandelierAdrian Anz

With a history of birds, totem poles and shrunken heads, Bella Vista’s buyer will have some explaining to do. But that’s what gives Bella Vista it’s Hollywood-style charm. Just like the Barrymores, Bella Vista will entertain you and never be boring.

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