In the world of real estate, where property expertise reigns supreme, it comes as little surprise that the most successful real estate agents own some of the most remarkable and envy-inducing residences.
With their extensive knowledge of market trends and investment potential — not to mention their keenly trained eye for luxury living — real estate pros are the first to spot desirable properties, often before they are even listed for the general public to see.
They then leverage their design expertise and Rolodex of industry connections to turn their homes into personal sanctuaries that serve as living testaments to their industry acumen and discerning tastes.
Such is the case of Billy Rose, realtor to the stars and co-founder of luxury real estate brokerage, The Agency.
Rose, rated as one of the best real estate agents in Los Angeles (and the entire country, once being named the Number 10 real estate agent in the U.S. by The Wall Street Journal), owns an architecturally distinct home in one of Los Angeles’ best areas, which he’s now bringing to market.
Priced at $5,895,000, the elegant abode has served as Billy Rose’s personal residence for 20 years.
Located in the sought-after Westword neighborhood, the property sits on the “first lot bought in highly coveted Westwood Hills”, per the listing, and is known as the Murrow Residence, named after its original owners.
Rose himself provided a little bit of background on the home’s history.
“The Murrows considered the lot to be the trophy of Westwood Hills,” Billy Rose tells us. “Mr. Murrow, for whom the home was built, was (as I understand it) a bit of a “mucky muck” at the Rand Corporation. He had rigged the front door such that he could attach a 35mm projector to the door and project through to the living room.“
But it’s not just the location that appealed to The Agency co-founder.
The home’s distinct design played a big role too. The 1940-built residence is an outstanding example of International Style architecture (post Deco and pre Mid-Century Modern).
“I find International Style architecture to be sublime,” Billy Rose shared in an exclusive comment for Fancy Pants Homes. “The style is best described as stripped of all unnecessary ornamentation and about accentuating the strengths of the home (the view, the layout, the light, the circulation, the air flow). Le Corbusier (one of the pioneers of what is now regarded as modern architecture) summed it up best when he called a house a “machine for living”.“
Vintage and collectible lighting, designer finishes, and terrazzo and custom-milled walnut floors complement the home’s unique style, while broad expanses of glass in every direction bring the outdoors in.
The house has a total of 5 bedrooms — all suites — with the primary being touted as “one of the best primary suites in its class with extremely generous dual closets and baths”, per the listing.
The inviting chef’s kitchen has its own claim to fame.
“My wife is a chef and she filmed her show “Taste of Melrose” from there,” shared Rose whose wife, model-turned-chef Melissa Rose, has been filming her cooking show in their camera-ready kitchen for years.“It was not only a great exhibition kitchen, but it served us well for our numerous dinner parties.”
When prompted to pick his favorite area of the house, The Agency co-founder signaled out the primary bedroom suite, along with “the original stairway, with its two-story Torrance steel window system“, which he says was one of the things that drew him to the property.
Heading outside, we find a secluded backyard oasis with a cascading pool, spa, fire pit, grassy yard, dining and lounging areas, with mature landscaping, tall hedges, and privacy walls shielding it from prying eyes.
Unsurprisingly, Billy Rose holds the listing along with Stefan Pommepuy, also with The Agency.
And while Rose hasn’t yet been part of the cast of Buying Beverly Hills, the Netflix series starring agents from the luxury real estate brokerage he co-founded alongside Mauricio Umansky, we’re hoping his house will — and that the second season of the show will give us a better look inside his inviting abode.
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