The Paramour Estate in Silver Lake, once the lavish residence of oil heiress Daisy Canfield and her dashing hubby, silent screen Antonio Moreno, hits the market.
The heiress commissioned architect Robert D. Farquhar to design a Spanish Mediterranean-style estate on the highest promontory in the Los Angeles basin. Sited on 4.5 acres, the estate is one of the few spots in Los Angeles where you have 360-degree views from Downtown L.A., the Hollywood Sign, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean.
The walled compound is accessed through gates on 1923 Micheltorena Street in Silver Lake’s Moreno Highlands. A driveway takes you up to a circular motor court with grounds adorned with rose gardens and, once upon a time, a citrus orchard, grape arbor, terraced fountains, and a wishing well.
The main home features a ballroom, a living room with a twenty-five-foot high stenciled wood-beamed ceiling, an adjoining bar, and a formal dining room. The public spaces are lined with arched windows and doorways looking out or leading to a 60-foot, hand-tiled marble pool. In addition to the primary residence, there are four separate guest cottages, multiple patios, and room to park 50 cars to show off your prized auto collection.
Since its completion in 1923, the property has served as a personal residence where Hollywood’s Golden Age luminaries attended roaring parties and lavish Sunday lunches. It has also been a school for girls and a convent for Franciscan nuns. Since 1998, current owner Dana Hollister has rented the space out for filming, photoshoots, weddings, and special events to help her fund the careful restoration of the Mansion and grounds.
The historic property falls under the City of Los Angeles Use Code 7500, allowing for Institutional Use such as Philanthropic, Educational, or other. The asking price is $39.995 million.