Welcome to Holmby Hills
Unfettered prosperity is the calling card of this remarkable Los Angeles enclave, home to
high-profile residents and dazzling estates
Holmby Hills, for more than 8,000 years the migrating Tongva-Gabrieliño Native Americans, had a presence in the region. In 1843 Maximo Alanis, a Spanish soldier became the first owner of the Rancho San Jose de Buenos Ayres, a 4,438-acre land grant issued by Alta California Governor Manuel Micheltorena.
In 1859, Alanis sold the Rancho to Benjamin Davis Wilson, the second Mayor of Los Angeles, and namesake for Mount Wilson, in the San Gabriel Mountains. Wilson was also the grandfather of General George S. Patton. In 1884, Wilson sold 2,000 acres to John W. Wolfskill for $10 an acre. Wolfskill built a ranch house, near the present-day Los Angeles Mormon Temple.
Sometime later Arthur Letts bought a 400 acre parcel of Wolfskill’s ranch, north of the ranch house, for $100 an acre. He called the new development "Holmby Hills," the name of his Hollywood estate. His son, Harold Janss, took over the subdivision project, creating lots up to 4 acres, local streets were named after places in Great Britain, ie Devon, Charing Cross, and Conway. The neighborhood did receive its english style street- lamps in the 1920’s. Janss’ home became the famous Playboy Mansion.
In those days, Sunset Boulevard was a two-lane country road, known as Beverly Boulevard. Following the horse trial from the stables (now the Bel- Air Hotel) Beverly was renamed when it made through to the Pacific Ocean. By early 2000, Holmby Hills became the richest urban neighborhood in the United States. Local attractions include the Armand Hammer Park, the W Hotel and Westwood Village. The Village is home to shops, dining and motion picture previews.
Holmby Hills is a paradise for the elite and the profoundly influential, primely positioned next to both the serenity of Bel-Air and the bustle of UCLA. Its history of luxury is long, reaching back to its inception in the 1920s during Hollywood’s Golden Era. Some of the world’s most notable celebrities have set up homes in Holmby Hills throughout its existence.
A reputation for awe-inspiring residences makes it easy to understand how some of the most impressive estates of the neighborhood have sold for record amounts. Every property features the best of modern luxury and resort amenities. Regardless of size — many residences sprawl across more than 8,000 square feet — properties all exemplify opulence and excellence in design.
What to Love
- Surrounded by prestigious country clubs, including The Los Angeles Country Club
- Majestic homes and properties with tons of privacy and space
- Minutes from the exciting thrum of Downtown LA and its amenities
Local Lifestyle
Holmby Hills radiates with the same residential energy as Bel-Air, meaning that its homeowners are afforded a great deal of peace and quiet — the kind that’s typically hard to find in metropolitan areas. It’s a place of escape, in which plentiful nearby parks and even large at-home gardens allow for unity with nature amid the thrum of urban entertainment.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Those living in Holmby Hills have a slew of shopping and dining readily available right outside the bounds of the neighborhood and residents can take their pick from high-end shopping centers and classic mall establishments. Minutes south, Century City retailers provide the latest and finest in health, beauty and fashion.
Holmby Hills also sits adjacent to Westwood Village, another hotspot for great dining and retail opportunities. Residents can meet their day-to-day needs at upmarket grocery stores, as well as take their pick of heavenly cuisines at any one of the numerous restaurants.
UCLA, with its faculty and students, keeps the energy of Westwood Village fresh and young, offering innovative dining and streets dotted with performance venues, art galleries and lifestyle services.
Things to Do
Surrounded by inviting green spaces and cultural institutions, Holmby Hills’ residents can find a wealth of interesting activities to keep them occupied. Besides UCLA’s Hammer Museum, 15 minutes from the neighborhood sits The Getty and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, both internationally recognized for their abundant, curated art collections.
Holmby Hills also sits adjacent to the revered Los Angeles Country Club and Bel-Air Country Club. For more outdoor fun, Holmby Park offers an urban respite and features facilities for golf and lawn bowling, play areas for young kids and plenty of paths for walking and picnics.
Schools
Holmby Hills is home to many excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:
