Castillo del Lago
| Castillo del Lago | |
|---|---|
 The estate in front of the Hollywood Sign, 1926 | |
 Interactive map of the Castillo del Lago area | |
General information | |
| Type | Single-family estate |
Architectural style | Spanish Colonial Revival / Mediterranean Revival |
| Location | 6342 Mulholland Highway, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 34°07′32″N 118°19′28″W / 34.12557°N 118.32438°W |
Completed | 1926 |
| Renovated | 1993—1997, 1997—2009 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 10,500 square feet (980 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | John DeLario |
Castillo del Lago is an estate located at 6342 Mulholland Highway in the Hollywoodland neighborhood of Beachwood Canyon in Hollywood, California.
History
[edit]Castillo del Lago was designed by John DeLario, the lead architect in Los Angeles's Hollywoodland tract in the 1920s,[1] and built for Patrick Longden in 1926. Bugsy Siegel leased the house in the late 1930s and used it to run an illegal casino.[2]
Castillo del Lago fell into disrepair in the 1950s, after which it was owned by Baron Patrick de Selys–Longchamps. Selys–Longchamps sold the property to a couple named Willfong, who restored it. Richard Grossman and Lisa Lyons bought the property in 1990. Madonna bought the property for $5 million in 1993 ($11.1 million in 2025), then spent $3 million on renovations. She then sold the property to Joe Pytka for $5.3 million in 1997 ($10.6 million in 2025),[2] who renovated it then listed it for $14.95 million in 2009[3] and sold it to Leon Max for $7 million in 2010 ($10.3 million in 2025).[4][5] Max listed the property for $21 million in February 2023 ($22.2 million in 2025),[6] then reduced to $18.9 million later that year.[7]
In 2011, the building was determined to be eligible for historic designation at the national, state, and local levels.[8]
Architecture and design
[edit]Castillo del Lago features a Spanish Colonial Revival/Mediterranean Revival design and consists of nine bedroom, six bathroom, and 10,500 square feet (980 m2) of floorspace. It is located on a 3-acre (12,000 m2) hillside property above Lake Hollywood.[4][7]
The interior features Moorish arches, coffered ceilings, terracotta tiled floors, period tilework, hand-painted details, and a wood-paneled elevator. The primary suite contains two colorfully-tiled bathrooms and a private tower that offers 360-degree views of the mountains and city. The building also has a second tower, accessed from the foyer by a wooden spiral staircase with wrought iron railing. The living room is double-height, the ceiling held up by elaborately painted wooden beams and columned archways; it also features a corner fireplace and rows of french doors leading to a terrace.[6] The building also contains a wine cellar.[4]
The building has been described as "fortress-like"[3] and is considered "one of the most incredible examples of Spanish colonial architecture in southern California."[9]
Filming location
[edit]House of the Damned filmed at Castillo del Lago.[10]
References
[edit]- ↑ Fischer, Charles J. (November 2, 2006). "Hollywoodland Historic Neighborhood Profile" (PDF). City of Los Angeles. p. 9 – via Historic-Cultural Monument Application for the Garber House.
- 1 2 "Early Los Angeles Historical Buildings (1900 - 1925)". Water and Power Associates. p. 6. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- 1 2 Beale, Lauren (May 20, 2009). "Renovated Castillo del Lago is listed for $14.95 million". Los Angeles Times.
- 1 2 3 Beale, Lauren (July 19, 2010). "Joe Pytka sells 3-acre Hollywood Hills estate". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Chung, Juliet; Jackson, Candace (September 17, 2010). "Max Studio Designer Buys Former Madonna Casa". The Wall Street Journal.
- 1 2 Schultz, Katie (February 17, 2023). "Madonna's Former 1920s Spanish-Style Estate Is Listed for $21 Million". Architectural Digest.
- 1 2 Pener, Degen (September 26, 2023). "Mauricio Umansky to Host The Hollywood Reporter's L.A. Power Broker Awards at Madonna's Former Home". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ↑ "Historic Resource - Castillo del Lago - 3123 N Durand Dr". City of Los Angeles. September 7, 2011.
- ↑ "Inside An Iconic $21,000,000 Mansion Once Owned By Madonna". Architectural Digest. April 25, 2023.
- ↑ Wanamaker, Marc (2009). Hollywood 1940–2008. Arcadia Publishing. p. 51. ISBN 978-0-7385-5923-0.
