Former Los Angeles Photographer Herb Ritts’ House Lists for $8.4 Million – Rob Report

Brian Kaplan

The lofty Hollywood Hills villa that Herb Ritts once called home has popped up for sale high above the Sunset Strip, asking a click under at $8.4 million; And it’s every bit as gorgeous as the late photographer’s photographs capturing the likes of Olivia Newton-John, Madonna, Cindy Crawford and many more notable figures — complete with museum-quality furnishings, plus sweeping views of Griffith Observatory, city lights and the ocean beyond.

“The property offers a peaceful tranquility that can be experienced while living in a mid-century Art Deco work of art,” says Ernie Carswell, who holds the listing with Spencer Daly, both of Douglas Elliman. “For fundamentalists, there is nothing better.”

Ritts acquired the 1936-built building in the early 2000s — shortly before his death in 2002 at age 50 — and then undertook an extensive remodel and expansion that added a cabana entertainment room with a full kitchen and bathroom that could Easily serves as an entertainment room. A guest suite if required, plus an additional bedroom and staff bathroom accessed via its own entrance.

Per Carswell, there have been four owners since Ritt’s time, all of whom have meticulously maintained the residence; He adds that the current owners have added amenities and high-tech security features, such as armored windows and “James Bond”-level surveillance.

Perched atop a promontory, amid a secluded cul-de-sac on nearly a half-acre, the white stucco structure faces an attached two-car garage and offers a total of five bedrooms and six bathrooms in just over 4,200 square feet of living space over two floors and features dark hardwood floors High ceilings and steel French doors extend to a wraparound balcony. There are also plenty of original, museum-quality furnishings by the likes of Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Serge Mouille and Pierre Jeanneret, all available to purchase.

A gated and fenced courtyard entrance around the organic vegetable garden leads to the main floor, which houses a living room/library that has a hidden motorized screen, projector and surround sound for movie nights. Other features include a dining room equipped with a wet bar, a formal dining room with a built-in banquette, a galley-style kitchen decorated with custom cherry cabinetry, and high-end Sub-Zero and Viking appliances, plus a breakfast nook on one side and a lounge with a wine refrigerator on the other.

All bedrooms can be found downstairs, including a spacious primary retreat showcasing a private balcony, walk-in closet, tiled bath illuminated by dual sinks, a fitted soaking tub and a glass-enclosed shower. As for the outdoors, the private grounds are filled with specimen trees and host a black-bottomed pool surrounded by a sundeck and alfresco dining patio; According to the listing, the sale also comes with architectural plans to build a two-story guest house/ADU on the property, as well as permits for a Tesla Solar roof that can provide off-grid power to the entire home.

Click here to see more photos of 8724 St. Ives Drive.