Alfred Frederick Leicht designed this supremely excessive mansion in Los Angeles’s Los Feliz, embracing a ‘more is more approach’ that’s resonated with a string of celebrity owners.
Completed in 1924, the five-bedroom Los Angeles property – which is affectionately nicknamed The Castle – is a heady mix of architectural styles, spanning what appear to be Romanesque and Egyptian columns, medieval-style stonework and Art Nouveau windows. Leicht emigrated from Prussia after WWI and quickly became a favourite among Hollywood’s movie stars and executives, who embraced the melodrama and ambition of his designs.
Photography: Virtually Here
Photography: Virtually Here
Photography: Virtually Here
Photography: Virtually Here
The layout is equally dramatic, with octagonal living spaces, gilded ceilings, a sweeping stone staircase and arched entranceways. The Castle’s list of former owners and tenants speaks to its eclectic appeal, including Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea.
Its $9.8m price tag includes the 5,582 sq ft main residence as well as a music studio, basketball court and guest apartment. Ernie Carswell & Associates has the listing.
