Carlsbad Real Estate News and Views: California: Beverly Hills

Here's the REAL scoop on living in Carlsbad ~ beaches, things to do, places to eat, community events, and of course neighborhoods, homes and the Carlsbad real estate market in general, including surrounding communities.

A Taste of Luxury in Beverly Hills - Shopping, Hotels and Real Estate

Beverly Hills, California is synonymous with luxury.  For most people that is probably what they think of first when they hear Beverly Hills. And why not?

Beverly Hills is home to one of the most exclusive shopping districts around, Rodeo Drive. And it is also known for the celebrities who live there and the lifestyles of the rich and famous so often portrayed by the media. The allure of Beverly Hills is perhaps as much a product of the attention paid to it by the media, films and magazines as it is the lifestyle one can enjoy if you can afford it.

From a real estate perspective, Beverly Hills is one of the more expensive zip codes in the US, although it is eclipsed by communities such as Rancho Santa Fenear me in San Diego, and Sagaponack, New York (for 2006 rated the most expensive zip code by Forbes).  Currently Beverly Hills is home to two of the priciest pieces of real estate on the market, a recently listed home previously owned by William Randolph Hearst (yep, the San Simeon Castle guy) for $165 million, and another property listed several months ago at $125 million.

Rodeo Drive is an amazing piece of real estate in and of itself, with some of the highest rents you will likely find for retail space in the US, and a list of tenants whose names are recognized by consumers worldwide - Gucci, Versace, Armani, Bijan (the most expensive store in the world), Ralph Lauren, Ferragamo, Ermenegildo Zegna, Chanel, Dior, Winston Jewelers, Van Cleef and Arpels, Dolce and Gabbana, and on and on. The main shopping area is perhaps 3 blocks, between Santa Monica Boulevard and Wilshire, but you can probably find most any luxury item you might desire - clothing, jewelry, and much more. Window shopping and people/car watching can be a real treat, even if you can't afford to buy, or are shy about entering one of the designer boutiques (some do require appopintments).

And of course the hotels of Beverly Hills have their own allure, and stories to tell, especially the Beverly Hills Hotel (photo, top left)with its famed pink and green exterior and bungalows you can rent - probably the epitome of luxury in Beverly Hills hotels. And certainly the Four Seasons, on Doheny right outside of the downtown area (photo above, right), has its own share of high-end clientele, power lunches, and clandestine meetings over drinks or food in the bar or restaurant.

The residential streets in Beverly Hills are like those in other very expensive communities - quiet, serene, lined with gorgeous homes hidden behind hedges, trees or imposing gates. The architecture in Beverly Hills covers just about every style there is, and some that are probably unique. Money does not, always, translate into an attractive property, but they certainly can grab your attention for their size, views, and grounds.

Beverly Hills has many beautiful streets to explore. My trek up Benedict Canyon, one of the well-known pricey streets north of downtown led me past several properties for sale (you rarely see for sale signs in some areas - they seem to be prohibited by ordinance), as well as Cielo Drive - some of you may recall the infamous Sharon Tate Murders back in 1969 and the PR surrounding Charles Manson and his "family." Since I was there I took a drive up the street (no clue what the original address was but found one property for sale hidden up a very steep drive). Just up the street from Cielo Drive on Benedict Canyon a home is listed for $5,995,000.

Benedict Canyon winds it way up for several miles before reaching the summit at Mulholland Drive, another Hollywood icon offering fabulous view of the Los Angeles basin and the Valley. Just around the corner from Benedict Canyon on Mulholland is a beautiful white contemporary home with amazing views for $4,500,000 (photo, below left).

Even if you can't afford to live here, you can enjoy some time touring the shopping areas, dining at one of the many trendy cafes and restaurants, or exploring the residential neighborhoods. And if you are one of those star-struck tourists you can even take a guided tour, Stars Mapincluded, to see where some of your favorite celebs live.

If you are interested in Beverly Hills real estate or luxury properties in surrounding communities like Bel-Air, Holmby Hills, Westwood, Brentwood, Malibu or Pacific Palisades, I suggest you contact a colleague of mine, Rich Lombari.

Rich knows the luxury real estate market well and will take good care of you. And please tell him I suggested you call - he will appreciate it.

2 comments • Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 • July 16 2007 10:36PM