View Now | Michael Bay Car Garage in Bel Air, CA Photo courtesy of Architectural Digest
LA is home to some of the most legendary filmmakers in the world. These are the people who work at the studios, and rake in enormous cash creating movies that are recognized on a global scale. So where do these film legends live?
Let’s explore the neighborhoods of the people who created some of your favorite movies…
Maybe you are a fan of the action genre and want to see where the one and only TC owns a house. That’s Tom Cruise by the way, and it would not be an impossible mission to go and check out the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of his European style villa. His estate is listed on the market for $13 million and covers more than 2.5 acres of land. The property has a waterfall and a lagoon that overlooks the city.
View Now | Michael Bay House in Bel Air, CA
Photo courtesy of Architectural Digest
Staying with the action theme, do you like explosions? Well, how about we check out the home of the biggest fan of explosions – Michael Bay. This three story futuristic creation can be described as a cinematic stunner. It’s a very fitting grandiose mansion for the filmmaker who is known for his big budget blockbusters like Transformers, Armageddon and Pearl Harbor. The property is tucked away in the Hollywood Hills and features an amazing reflecting pool that’s literally hanging from the edge of the mountain. With its acrobatic cliffside architecture, the whole estate looks gravity defying.
Filmmakers have many reasons for having such amazing properties. One of the coolest is that they need to throw exclusive events where networking and casting decisions are often made. In order to get an invite to one of these highly regarded parties you need to be a true VIP or someone significant in the film business.
Oscar after parties, Grammy celebrations and Sundance pre screenings, often take place at the filmmakers’ homes. It’s that Hollywood Hills life; the guest lists are exclusive and if you are not famous, you are not getting in.
Besides the incredible parties, filmmakers live in Los Angeles in order to be close to all the Hollywood action. The studios and the headquarters for major companies are all here in the city. Everything the filmmakers need for success is here, including a never ending pool of thriving talent.
Sometimes an independent filmmaker ends up working on a project in LA that takes months or even years. So as human nature would dictate, many individuals move out to LA to pursue their dreams and be close to where all that Hollywood magic happens.
View Now | East Gate, Bel Air, CA
At Beverly Glen and Sunset Blvd
Well, we know you aren’t here to see some up and coming directors 2 bedroom apartment. So let’s go to one of the most exclusive zip codes in Bel Air and check out the home where Alfred Hitchcock lived and died. Prior to buying his Bel Air home, the master of suspense lived in a different property a few blocks away. This first home is located at 609 St Cloud Road, on the same street where former president Ronald Reagan and his wife lived during the 90s.
Staying within the theme of legendary filmmakers, Steven Spielberg recently sold his oceanfront compound for $26 million. This was one of those VIP listings that never hit the market. The area is known for its celebrity residents. If you score a property anywhere near here, your neighbors would include Brad Pitt, Charlie Sheen, Mel Gibson and Leonardo Dicaprio.
There’s a pattern forming… If you are a successful filmmaker, you will most likely own a property in the Hollywood Hills or along the coastline near Malibu.
Where else can you come up with brilliant film ideas and get inspired by nature, all while being a few miles away from the production studios?
View Now | George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch
Los Angeles is unique in this way; filmmakers like George Lucas, Quentin Tarantino and Clint Eastwood all have properties within driving distance of the movie studios where they work.
By the way, Clint Eastwood has spent $20 million and over a year building his 15,000 square foot mansion in Carmel, California. Although that’s a little over 5 hours from Los Angeles, you can check out one of his closer properties when you are in town.
Los Angeles is a one of a kind city where your life can actually feel like a movie. There isn’t many places in the world you can see the biggest Hollywood blockbuster and drive through a filmmaker’s neighborhood all on the same day. So put down the top, crank up the tunes and enjoy the scene!
