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.
Katy Perry Convent Will Rent For $25K A Month, But Remain Empty
(Photo by Michael Locke via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
()
There has been a new development in the battle between pop star Katy Perry and entrepreneur Dana Hollister over a historic Los Feliz convent.To fill you in on this thrilling saga: There's a gorgeous, 1927 convent in Los Feliz called Waverly Retreat that Perry wants to live in and Hollister (owner of Brite Spot and 4100 Club) wants to turn into a hotel. Perry tried to buy the convent from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for $15.5 million, while the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary said they were granted permission to sell the convent and sold it to Hollister for $14.5 million. Superior Court Judge C. Chalfant decided that the nuns' sale wasn't valid in July, but that Perry couldn't buy it until they figured this whole thing out, which could take a while. So in the interim, Hollister will be forking over $25,000 a month to rent, plus maintenance. Her offer to do so was, according to one of her attorneys, in order to "de-escalate some of the tension" that had endured over the last few months, the Los Feliz Ledger reports.
Renting the convent isn't as romantic as it may sound. One condition of Hollister's deal is that she has to vacate the convent, though she can access it for emergency repairs if she provides 24 hours notice to everyone involved. Starting November 1, Hollister will also have to submit a report of any needed repairs, plus expenses, to the archdiocese. The money will go to the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary's nonprofit institute.
The Los Angeles Archdiocese attorney’s put $75,000 a month on the table, but Chalfant rejected this sum as too high, considering the state of the property. Michael Hennigan, a lawyer for the archdiocese, said he was “amazed” by Hollister’s decision to pay rent while the convent sits empty, the L.A. Times reports. Perry’s team did not speak at the hearing today.
In October, it's back to the courtroom to determine who is actually entitled to sell the convent.
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
-
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
Best of LAist