Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
America's Most Expensive Home Is The 'Beverly Hillbillies' Mansion, Which Seems About Right
(Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
()
Back in the 1960s, a lovable gang of misfits named the Clampetts moved from the Ozarks to become the "Beverly Hillbillies." Now it's half a century later in Los Angeles, where you can Postmates a plain white T-shirtfrom Justin Bieber and tattoo the Erwin Hotel logo on your body for a free night's stay; in this era of great-stage capitalism, it seems only too right that the most expensive house in the nation is the Clampett mansion, also known as the Chartwell estate, right here in L.A.'s opulent Bel Air neighborhood.
Built in 1933 by architect Sumner Spaulding, the Chartwell estate is going for a whopping $350 million asking price, Curbed reports; in addition to serving as the location for exterior shots of the Clampett mansion, the Chartwell estate was famously owned by late Univision head Jerry Perenchio.
In addition to the 25,000-square-foot mansion, the Chartwell property includes a ballroom, wine cellar, 40-car garage, 75-foot pool and a "formal salon", NBC Los Angeles reports, all the better for receiving guests in style while Rome burns. Sure, the increasing cost of rent in downtown L.A. is making Bel Air seem affordable by comparison, but if you just have to have that French neoclassical mega-mansion with the limestone facade and period-paneled dining room, you'll have to pony up the full $350 million. Hey, it's the cost of doing business, right?
The Chartwell estate listing is being held by Coldwell Banker Global Luxury, Hilton & Hyland and Berkshire Hathaway Home Services; LAist reached out for comment as to what kind of nefarious plutocrat is interested in purchasing the single most expensive home on the U.S. market, but did not immediately hear back.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist