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.
Legendary entertainer Bob Hope's sprawling Toluca Lake estate has hit the market for the bargain price of $27.5 million. There's been a clearing-out of late of belongings from the beloved comedian's personal stash, with a sell-out garage sale last Christmas, and a church fundraiser earlier this year.
The English Traditional-style main house was designed by architect Robert Finkelhor, built in 1939, and then remodeled in the 1950′s by architect John Elgin Woolf, according to Estately. Within a cozy 14,876 square feet are eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms, outfitted in a restrained style not seen in most modern homes of the truly rich and famous—as in there's no shark tank, ahem. There is a billiards room, staff quarters, an indoor pool and spa, and quarters for your staff. The home sits on over five acres hooked up with a golf course (natch!), an outdoor pool, and gardens, all giving you that "I don't have any neighbors" feeling in the midst of a charming residential neighborhood. Surprisingly, Hope's home isn't on the actual lake in Toluca Lake. It is said that while the star had several residences, he considered this his home.
Hope lived to be 100 and died from pneumonia in 2003. His wife, Dolores Hope, passed away in 2011 at age 102. The couple's homes are in trust, and are being sold off steadily. If you absolutely must have a former Hope home, but would like something more avant garde than this stately estate, perhaps you'd like to get into Hope's $50M John Lautner-designed home...shaped like a volcano.
