For those who follow fashion, you’d know that Robert Pattinson is one of the most in-demand actors of our time. The 28-year-old former Twilight star has featured in A-list movie titles like the upcoming Beauty and the Beast and the highly anticipated Gone Girl. On the heels of his latest success, Pattinson made headlines when he bought a $20 million mansion in the coveted Holmby Hills neighbourhood of Los Angeles. It was rumoured that the 1.89 million-square-feet home had 22 bedrooms and 21.5 bathrooms, and was built with a medieval dungeon as part of its design. Many cited this as further proof that Pattinson is indeed a ‘gentleman of leisure’.
Since moving into the 5.5-acre property, the British actor has held secret parties for family and friends, and has been known to entertain guests with champagne and Canvasback beers from LA’s Craft Brewing Company. But what exactly is this extravagant home of his, and how does it compare to the rest of the houses in this coveted Holmby Hills neighbourhood? Let’s take a look.
The Design
Built in 2007, the designer of this incredible home is Stephen Burks. A graduate from the prestigious Royal College of Art, Burks designed the structure with an art gallery, study, and game room inside. The main house alone has 7 bedrooms with bathrooms, and features an infinity pool, surrounded by an outdoor fire place.
The property is laid out over three levels connected by a timber-frame bridge. Downstairs is the formal living room and dining room with views into the garden, and a fully equipped kitchen. Upstairs are five bedrooms, including a master suite with fireplace and jacuzzi bath. The backyard is beautifully lit by towering trees, and features a gourmet kitchen, outdoor fire place, ping pong table, and multiple seating areas including two swimming pools. In addition to the main house, there is also a guesthouse and two-car garage.
The Location
Perfectly situated in the desirable Holmby Hills neighbourhood, this unique property is close to the main gates of the beautiful Los Angeles Tennis Club. Other well-known residents in this exclusive neighbourhood include George Lucas, Michael J. Fox, and Sylvester Stallone. Pattinson can be seen throughout the year enjoying the city’s finest restaurants, bars, and boutiques on the doorstep of his home.
The History
This Los Angeles mansion was originally built in the 1950s and designed by the renowned architect Maxwell Fry. It was built as a wedding present for the then-pregnant Elizabeth Taylor. Taylor gave birth to a daughter, Georgia, who is now the Duchess of York. The house was later acquired by the late media tycoon John Hammond. When Hammond died in 2007, his great-grandchildren sold the house to Pattinson for a whopping $20 million. It was previously rumoured that the property would be donated to a museum. However, upon the actor’s recent announcement that he has purchased the house, it was revealed that he has planned on renovating and expanding it.
Personal Mementos
Pattinson has been linked to several high-profile projects since breaking out of the Twilight franchise in 2013. Most notably, he was hired to play the lead in the upcoming Tim Burton movie, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. The project also stars Eva Green and Blake Lively. It is set for a March 30, 2018 release.
What Else?
Apart from this fantastic mansion, Pattinson owns several other properties in London, including a £5.2 million ($7.39 million) super yacht, and a £4.65 million ($6.33 million) townhouse. The British actor spent £6.15 million ($8.85 million) on a private island in the Maldives with his girlfriend, FKA Twigs.
Since its inception, Burks has continually updated and modified the house to suit the actor’s needs and lifestyle. The most prominent addition was the installation of an elaborate wine cellar. The room was completely refitted with a special custom-made wooden wine rack by Groff, and is stocked with an extensive collection of European and Californian wines. Another major renovation occurred in 2016, when the whole property was given a complete redecoration. The interior designer behind the transformation is Holly Walker, of the London-based firm Walker & Co. Walker’s work on the house is featured in Vogue, and she was also the interior designer of the Duchess of Cambridge’s London home, Cambridge Palace. Walker has commented that the task was a “joy” and has spoken about her admiration and respect for the “in-demand” actor. “To work on such a prestigious project, on a scale this grand, was humbling,” Walker said. “To have the opportunity to reimagine a home such as this, and help bring it to life again, was an honour.”
Final Takeaway
It’s fair to say that Robert Pattinson’s lavish lifestyle is well-documented. The English actor has played a leading role in several major film projects including the upcoming Beauty and the Beast, which is set to release on December 17, 2017. His other notable films include the dystopian drama Maps to the Stars, the thriller Eye in the Sky, and the horror It Follows. As well as acting, Pattinson is also a published author, with several books to his name. The former teen idol also had a bit part in 2015’s San Andreas, which also stars George Clooney.