An artistic haunt in Beverly Hills: One-of-a-kind home in the foothills of Benedict Canyon flaunts its rustic character

A timeless Beverly Hills house steeped in art and photography history showcases the artistic spirit that shaped the area long before it became a playground for the rich and famous.

Georgie Mihaila
6 Min Read
Photo credit: Shad Yassini / Compass / Melvin Sokolsky©

Beverly Hills may be home to some of the most expensive and opulent real estate in the world, but every now and then, we stumble upon a listing that trades luxury for character—and offers a glimpse into Beverly Hills’ vast cultural legacy, which more often than not takes a backseat to the Hollywood spotlight.

In the foothills of Benedict Canyon, tucked away on a knoll at the end of a cul-de-sac and surrounded by nature, we find a 1939-built rustic gem with all the charm of an English country house.

Steeped in art and fashion photography history, the charming rustic property was home to world-renowned surrealist photographer Melvin Sokolsky for more than 50 years. Now, two years after the famed photographer passed away, it’s being offered for sale for $6,999,000.

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A character-rich Beverly Hills house is now up for grabs

Photo credit: Shad Yassini / Compass

Recently listed with Compass agents Susan Andrews and Martin Withrow, the Benedict Canyon house was originally built in 1939 for a silent screen actress.

Designed by architect Frederic Barienbrock, the home seems plucked right out of the English countryside with its Country Colonial Revival-style exterior, European interior design details, and charming gardens with heirloom roses.

Brick exterior brimming with Old World charm

Photo credit: Shad Yassini / Compass

A long, brick-paved gated driveway leads to the charming 1939-built home, a beautiful brick structure with an outdoor fireplace and seating area brimming with old-world charm.

The specs: 5 bedrooms, 4 baths

Photo credit: Shad Yassini / Compass

Spanning 3,411 square feet, the Beverly Hills house has a total of 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a charming farmhouse kitchen, a wood-paneled study, a formal dining room, and a 2-car garage.

The longtime home of a surrealist photographer

Photo credit: Shad Yassini / Compass

The property was the longtime home of famed surrealist fashion photographer Melvin Sokolsky, best known for his groundbreaking fashion shoots for Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and The New York Times. Sokolsky also made art history as one of the first surrealist photographers to use oversized furniture in his shoots — a trendsetting concept at the time.

He famously shot the pictures for Celine Dion’s 2002 album, A New Day Has Come, but is best known for his 1963 “Bubble” series of photographs for Harper’s Bazaar depicting fashion models “floating” in giant clear plastic bubbles suspended in midair above the River Seine in Paris.

Design elements hint at the home’s artsy past

Photo credit: Shad Yassini / Compass

Fitting for the creative sanctuary of an artist who pioneered illusory fashion photography long before the age of digital enhancement took hold, Melvin Sokolsky’s longtime home has a unique aesthetic, with moody and dramatic elements complementing the rustic design.

This is best evidenced by the dramatic formal entry foyer with a Degas-inspired powder room that greets visitors.

Inside the rustic farmhouse kitchen

Photo credit: Shad Yassini / Compass

Beaming with character, the rustic farmhouse kitchen is draped in rich wood — including custom wood counters.

With a slight industrial feel

Photo credit: Shad Yassini / Compass

It also features a commercial stainless steel glass-door display refrigerator and a professional cook’s stove.

A timeless primary bedroom

Photo credit: Shad Yassini / Compass

The primary suite, located on the lower level of the house, is a spacious and stylish retreat, with its windows opening up to views of the verdant outdoors.

See also: Rare $3.3M Storybook house in LA is a magical time capsule filled with salvaged treasures

Other bedrooms

Photo credit: Shad Yassini / Compass

A wood-paneled bedroom comes with an adjacent bath, and there are two other guest bedrooms, with a third one (featuring a fireplace) currently being used as a study.

Dining with views

Photo credit: Shad Yassini / Compass

A formal dining room mirrors the design of the living room and opens up to beautiful city views.

It has a large rear deck

Photo credit: Shad Yassini / Compass

Outside, a large rear deck wrapping the back of the house offers generous views of Century City, while also overlooking the pool area, set below.

Fresh on the market for $6,999,000

Photo credit: Shad Yassini / Compass

The Beverly Hills house, with its coveted 90210 address and oodles of rustic charm, recently landed on the market with a $6,999,000 asking price. The property is being listed by Bing Sokolsky, Melvin Sokolsky’s son, following his father’s passing in 2022 at the age of 88. Susan Andrews and Martin Withrow with Compass hold the listing.

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With a decade-long career as a digital content creator, Georgie started out as a real estate journalist for Multi-Housing News & CPExecutive. She later transitioned into digital marketing, working with leading real estate websites like PropertyShark, RENTCafé and Point2Homes. After a brief but impactful stint in the start-up world, where she led the marketing divisions of fintech company NestReady and media publisher Goalcast, Georgie returned to her first passion, real estate, and founded FancyPantsHomes.com