Spanish Revival Village Las Orquideas For Sale in Hollywood Heights

Built in the early days of the Golden Era of Hollywood and nestled in the Hollywood Heights foothills, Las Orquideas is a compound of five villas consisting of nine units. The property was designed by Cecil B. DeMille’s frequent art director Wilfred Buckland – popularly canonized as Hollywood’s first art director – to resemble the hillside towns of Andalusia. Buckland is quoted as saying, “I came to Hollywood … in search of a chance to visualize a more ‘pictorial’ way, by adapting to film the same rules that govern the higher art of painting.” Las Orquideas, located at 1901 North Orchid Avenue, is exquisitely painterly and altogether movie-magical.

1901 North Orchid Avenue
Los Angeles
Asking Price: $13,850,000
Units: 9
Bedrooms: 18
Bathrooms: 15
Square Feet: 10,573
Lot Size: 15,125 sf.
Year Built: 1929
Year Renovated: 2019

The village looks like a near-replica of a romantic Spanish hill town. The village comprises five villas, one communal flex space, many ascending walkways, connecting gardens, and intimate plazas.

The entire complex – yes, all nine units – have been immaculately restored by the design team of Howell + Padgett. You may remember Howell + Padgett for their precise and award-winning restoration of Torre del Moro in Beachwood Canyon.

Inside each unit you will find tall ceilings with wood beams, sun-drenched living rooms, wonderful indoor/outdoor flow, and gorgeous hardwood floors throughout.

The impeccably stylish modern kitchens feature custom kitchen cabinetry, Sub Zero refrigerators, Wolf ranges, Bosch appliances, gold fixtures, and some units have wonderful center island making the space primed for both cooking and entertaining.

Garden level units have easy outdoor access through a pair of French doors.

All units come fully equipped with hidden, stackable laundry.

Large bedrooms at Las Orquideas open to the joyous outdoor spaces.

And although a nine-unit complex may seem to carry with it all of the trappings of city apartment dwelling, each unit has been meticulously soundproofed which makes these units unique for their sense of seclusion and privacy.

Nearly all residences include a private terrace, garden patio, or balcony. A rarity for any complex in Los Angeles let alone in the center of Hollywood.

The balconies are spacious and have incredible views of the city.

Period touches and enchanting elements abound at Las Orquideas.

Several units have beautiful fireplaces and all have beautiful Spanish elements like arched entryways and casement windows.

The fireplaces, like all things in these glorious units, are one of a kind. Or nine of a kind, is more like it.

The romantic complex comes with a full list of upgrades and improvements including new roofs, copper rain gutters, new exterior plaster finished in period methods with original 1920s color, New water mains running to each apartment allowing for future individual metering, New central air/heat units for each apartment, new electrical, new gas lines with modern meters that can be read from the street, and, of course, Hollywood Stripe awnings

Each bedroom feels like a private and romantic retreat straight out of a 5 star resort hotel in the Spanish hillside. The only thing missing might just be the ocean and bay views.

Bathrooms at the village have been remodeled and restored with Waterworks tile and gold fixtures.

There is private gated and secure entrance to each building creating a true feeling of safety.

The grounds have been expertly landscaped and highlight the century-old Eucalyptus trees.

All units come with at least one parking space. There are fourteen garage spaces total each with new garage door openers.

The Mills Act building provides endless opportunities for a visionary investor. Boutique hotel? Writer’s retreat? Live in one and rent the eight others?

In his book “The Art Direction Handbook for Film”, Michael Rizzo wrote of architect Wilfred Buckland:

“The practical vision of Buckland, the little known Hollywood art director and initiator of the use of controlled lighting within studio environments, set a standard in the first decades of the twentieth century that has become as commonplace as shooting film sequences in Hollywood sound stages today. He stands as an art-directing giant; his creative ingenuity ennobles the craft of film design even now.”

Though the property is for sale, the current owners are offering short term market rate leases so steady income will already be in place when the keys exchange hands.

If ever there was ever a pride-of-ownership asset, Las Orquideas is it. The beautiful 9-residence compound offers the style, character, and rich details of a historic property or a landmark 1920s film set with the modern amenities of new construction. It is an unparalleled and unrivaled property in the heart of Hollywood.

If you would like to view Las Orquideas in the Hollywood Heights or tour any of the units available for lease in this gorgeous Spanish Revival compound, call me at (323) 697-3040 or email me at jacqueline.tager@sothebyshomes.com.

Listing provided courtesy of Barry Gray, Mike Deasy, and Joshua Gaunya of DeasyPennerPodley.

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