The asking price for the sale of Madonna’s former Los Angeles house is a staggering $21 million.
According to public documents, the singer resided in the mansion from 1993 until 1996, when she sold it for $5,300,000 to filmmaker and commercial director Joe Pytka.
She resided in the residence during the years she was cultivating her controversial image.
Madonna starred in the 1993 erotic thriller “Body of Evidence,” which was negatively regarded by critics and featured scenes of sadomasochism and bondage.
While residing in the house, she was acclaimed “Queen of Pop” for her 1983 debut studio album, followed by all-time bestsellers like as “Like a Virgin” in 1984 and “True Blue” in 1986.
The nine-bedroom, six-bathroom residence was created by John DeLaricio in 1926.
According to the listing, it is one of the “most notable Spanish estates ever constructed in southern California.”
Current owner is Russian-American fashion designer Leon Max, who paid $7 million for the property in 2010.
Max said in a statement, “I had known about Castillo del Lago for many years, since it is a lovely landmark property with a handy position to downtown, West Hollywood, and the West Side through a scenic drive up Mulholland.”
Max noted, “It is designed in a romantic fashion consistent with the Spanish Colonial style of the building.” “A combination of Renaissance and Moorish furniture and art artifacts produce a timeless warmth evocative of Renzo Mongiardino’s interiors”
Max explained that he was considering selling the property because his child’s school required him to return to England.
But before he put it up for sale, he spent years perfecting it.
“The first item of business was to repaint the house a weathered white and reopen the breezeway to regain something like a minstrel’s gallery over the main inner courtyard,” he explained.
“Many hanging gardens and fountains were repaired and replanted to provide an abundant overhang of climbing plants such as fig ivy, bougainvillea, wisteria, and jasmine. There is also an extensive collection of cactus in pots.”
In 1984, the property was briefly utilized to film “Beverly Hills Cop.”
The 3-acre ridgetop property is situated behind private gates and offers panoramic views of Lake Hollywood, the iconic Hollywood sign, and expansive downtown-to-ocean panoramas.
The listing mentions coffered ceilings, unique wrought-iron embellishments, terracotta flooring, period tile, hand-painted artwork, huge fireplaces, exposed wood-beamed ceilings, Spanish arches, and a vintage wood-paneled elevator as architectural highlights.
A entryway leads to a spiral staircase tower that connects the different levels of the residence. This contains a formal living room with two stories, French doors that lead to the terrace, a library with wood-paneled walls, and a breakfast room adjacent to the period-style chef’s kitchen.
A loggia provides access to the middle courtyard’s palm trees, fountain, and outdoor fireplace.
The major suite features sitting areas, dual bathrooms, and a lounge-equipped signature tower. Moreover, the grounds include a lap pool, rose gardens, and citrus trees.
Among the luxurious amenities are a video room, a refrigerated wine room, two staff rooms with kitchens, a separate fitness center with a spacious patio, and a guest suite.
The listing is held by Linda May and Brett Lawyer of Carolwood Estates.
May said in a statement that the next owner of Castillo del Lago would have a great respect for beautiful architecture, ultra-privacy, and the compelling history of our city.
In the districts and enclaves of the Hollywood Hills, buyers want vintage, nostalgic homes, especially those with expansive vistas.
»Madonna’s former LA mansion is listed for $21M and very “Pre-Madonna.”«