A Restored 1927 Spanish Colonial in the Hollywood Hills, at $8 Million

Some houses are restored. Others are brought back by someone who clearly understood what they were looking at. Robb Report's Oct. 1 write-up of interior designer Ross Cassidy's Hollywood Hills home suggests this is the second kind.

The house is a 1927 Spanish Colonial Revival, listed at $8 million. It has about 5,100 square feet, five bedroom suites, a pool, and a bungalow above the garage.

What makes it interesting is what has been kept. The house retains its original leaded windows, its carved wood ceilings and its period floors. Those are the details that are very difficult to replace, and very easy to lose in a renovation. When they survive, they are usually the reason a house like this feels like itself and not like a 1920s costume.

The listing is with Christie's International Real Estate Southern California, represented by Weisman.

Why a designer's own house is worth noticing

When a designer restores a home for himself, the decisions tend to be personal and consistent. There is a point of view. For a buyer at this level, that is part of the appeal: a house that has been thought through, not flipped.

It is also worth remembering that a house from the 1920s comes with its own considerations. Older construction, original materials and historic details reward a careful inspection and a buyer who loves the character. I would want to know exactly what was restored, what was replaced, and what documentation exists.

The bungalow matters

The bungalow above the garage is the kind of feature people underestimate. It can serve as a guest space, an office or a studio. In the Hills, where lot constraints often limit what you can add, a ready-made second structure is useful.

I haven't seen this house in person, and what I know comes from the Robb Report coverage. If it interests you, I would be glad to help you take a closer look and ask the right questions.

Source: Robb Report, Oct. 1.