This story appears in the Septemper 1, 2013 issue of Forbes. Subscribe
The Hills Around L.A. are famously studded with stars, but the real money lives in North Beverly Park.
"It's the most prestigious enclave for high-end residential real estate in Los Angeles," says Mauricio Umansky, Chief executive of The Agency, a luxury real estate firm.
Accessible only through two guarded checkpoints, the paparazzi-proof development boasts 2-acre-plus parcels of level land, all behind more gates and overlooking the city below. Homes average 20,000 square feet and $24 million apiece, many the works of star architects like Richard Landry and William Hablinsky.
Residents include wealthy A-listers like actor Sylvester Stallone and rocker Rod Stewart. Billionaire
Here's a rundown of the neighborhood.
A. Beverly Park Lane
Owner: Prince Turki bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud
Assessed Value: $21.7 million
The prince, Saudi Arabia's environmental chief, has owned this 5-acre double compound, with two separate mansions, a pool and a long private driveway, since the early 1990s.
B. Beverly Park Lane
Owner: Mark Wahlberg, actor and producer
Purchase price: $8.3 million (2009)
After acquiring 6 undeveloped acres, the star built a 34,000-square-foot château with a wine-tasting room, a gym and a resort-size swimming pool.
C. Beverly Park Lane
Owner: Prince Naef bin Ahmed Al-Saud, Saudi royal family
Purchase price: $16.9 million (2011)
The Saudi general has been linked to two Beverly Park properties. This two-family estate has a pair of mansions totaling 18 bedrooms and 28 baths.
D. Beverly Park Lane
Owner: Bruce Makowsky and Kathy Van Zeeland
Purchase price: $22.6 million (2010)
Before the fashion duo snapped it up, singer Prince rented this 30,000-square-foot Tuscan home (with a sand volleyball court) for a reported $200,000 a month.
E. Beverly Park Lane
Owner: Tom Gores,
Purchase price: $21 million (2010)
The billionaire's 21,000-square-foot Moorish manor, with 7 bedrooms, 15 baths and a pool, sits just up the street from his older brother Alec's compound.
F. Beverly Park Court
Owner: Steven Udvar-Hazy,
Assessed value: $17.5 million
Known as Villa Firenze, this billionaire's mammoth 10-acre-plus spread includes a 28,700-square-foot main house, pavilions, grottoes and an orchard.
G. Beverly Park
Owner: Haim Saban, media billionaire
Assessed value: $26.7 million
The Power Rangers creator amassed three lots on close to 6 acres for his Richard Landry-designed mansion, lap pool, sports facilities and gardens.
H. Beverly Park
Owner: Eric Smidt, Harbor Freight Tools
Assessed value: $17.5 million
The two lots here total 6 acres, and their amenities include French-style formal gardens and a 16,000-square-foot garage with a bowling alley--but no outdoor pool.
I. Beverly Park Circle
Owner: Alec Gores, private equity billionaire
Assessed value: $31.4 million
The French château covers no less than 42,000 square feet and includes a wood-paneled library, a 2,600-bottle wine room, a poker room and multiple kitchens.
J. Beverly Park Circle
Owner: Barry Bonds, former pro athlete
Asking price: $25 million
The ex-baseball player has put his 17,000-square-foot spread up for sale. It has a theater, commercial-grade gym, spa and massive outdoor kitchen.
K. Beverly Park Circle
Owner: Denzel Washington, actor
Assessed value: $14.6 million
A 30,000-square-foot estate on two lots, with two entrances, a fountain-studded motor court, a guesthouse, a large pool and a sunken, illuminated tennis court.
L. Beverly Park Circle
Owner: Eddie Murphy, actor
Assessed value: $19.5 million
Murphy dropped $10 million on the 3.7-acre lot in 2001, constructing a 40,000-square-foot Italianate manse said to have a stripper pole in the master closet.
Note: This is an extended version of the Forbes Magazine story "Billionaire Bluffs."
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