We’re writing about this one mainly because the house is “pretty cool,” as our friend Susan Hannaford would say. Originally built in 1971 by noted mid-century modern architect Matthew Leizer, the property last sold two years ago, when it was acquired by businessman Adam Bold for the sum of $5,200,000.
Our Mr. Bold hails from Kansas City, Kansas and made his fortune through founding the Mutual Fund Store, a multi-state investment advisement firm. After nearly 20 years of steady growth, Mr. Bold’s business was acquired for $560 million in 2015. (Ka-ching!)
Presumably a significant chunk of that cheddar meandered its way into Mr. Bold’s bank account. And suddenly K.C. felt a bit too small for homeboy, so he tossed his Rimowa luggage onto a private jet and headed way out west. The bright lights and botoxed mugs of Tinseltown proved just too tempting!
Mr. Bold’s first LA house came courtesy of a $16,596,100 splurge on a contemporary casa. Located in western Bel Air, the hilltop mansion (below) sits on 1.3 acres of land and serves as his main residence.
Though the house was fine when he bought it, Mr. Bold nonetheless spent many more millions to completely rebuild and expand the structure, so the place looks significantly different today.
In addition to his $20+ million Bel Air main residence and his entertainment industry investments, our boy also acquired a new wife and the investment property we are discussin’ today, which is located on a quiet cul-de-sac in western Bel Air. Over the past two years, he has completely rebuilt and restored the 1971 structure, surely at great cost.
This December (2018), Mr. Bold managed to unload the stylish spread for $9.6 million to Jim & Jackie McKenzie. Though the McKenzies are not famous in any way — they’re just ordinary rich people — they did make it into one of Yolanda’s previous stories. A few years ago, you see, they sold their old Bel Air house for exactly $20 million to their neighbor: some random dude named Elon Musk. (For the record, ol’ Musky tossed the keys to his ex-wife Talulah Riley, but we digress.)
The flag lot property is enviably private, sequestered down a long, tree-lined driveway and behind a security gate. The 1.4-acre lot is large for this neighborhood, but a significant chunk of that land is unusable hillside.
Called a “private oasis” in listing materials, the low-slung house greets visitors with a row of chunky concrete block columns. Beyond the glassy entryway is an open-concept main living space with various dining, living and lounging areas.
Vaulted ceilings and skylights lend the place an outdoorsy feel, and terrazzo floors continue throughout the entire 6,624-square-feet of living space. Check out that fireplace — you could roast a few human sacrifices on that thing! (Not that you should, but you could.) Above the fireplace, per the listing, is “an original frieze interpretation of The Doors.” (The house was originally built for The Doors’ Robby Krieger.)
Behind one wall is an all-custom Miele kitchen with floor-to-ceiling walls of glass. Mesmerizing westward views take in the Getty and a hint of the Pacific Ocean.
There are 4 beds and 4.5 baths, and the master suite includes a fireplace and peek-a-boo views of the western skyline.
Perhaps the property’s one major failing — if y’all look at it that way — is that it doesn’t have the backyard infinity pool that so many richie-rich buyers expect nowadays. The cement pond here is in a central courtyard and completely encircled by the house. Personally Yolanda doesn’t need all that extra visual drama — we have enough drama in our silly life already — so we’re good with this setup.
Other fresh-air amenities include a wee grassy lawn, firepit with a giant seating surround, a built-in BBQ and a portico perfect for al fresco dining.
Adam Bold was represented in this transaction by Josh Flagg, the now blogging and vlogging Million Dollar Listing cast member. Patty Best of Douglas Elliman repped the buyers.