Fancy spec homes were in high demand last year in Hollywood Hills West

Once characterized by bears, coyotes and a few hunting cabins, Hollywood Hills West eventually gained a reputation as a hot spot for musicians and movie stars during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

The hillside homes now vary from 1920s Spanish-style homes to contemporary showplaces, but the spectacular views are consistent across the board.

In 2017, the high-profile pocket above the Sunset Strip recorded 203 single-family home sales of $2 million or more, or 52 more than the previous year. There were 21 sales of $5 million or more, down from 35 like sales in 2016.

$32.5 million — Thrasher Avenue

The high-end market in Hollywood Hills West ended the year with a bang, when this Bird Streets spec mansion closed in late December for $5.5 million less than the original asking price.

Set at the end of a gated drive, the sexy Paul McClean-designed home features such details a handblown-glass chandelier finished in gold leaf, multiple fire features and seven types of imported marble.

There are five bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms and 11,127 square feet of interior space. The master suite is composed of four rooms, and the lounge/entertainment area has custom swings that suspend from the ceiling.

Estel Hilton of Keller Williams Realty, Beverly Hills, was the listing agent. Sen Wang of Rega Realty Services represented the buyer.

$14.533 million – Rising Glen Road

In March, this renovated showplace with celebrity ties changed hands for about $3.9 million less than the asking price of $18.4 million.

The 9,400-square-foot contemporary, with clean lines and walls of glass, replaced a Mediterranean-style house once owned by late actress Brittany Murphy and, before that, pop singer Britney Spears.

Walls of glass cover the entire back half of the home, and automated sliding doors open to create indoor-outdoor ambience in the living room. The roughly 2,000-square-foot master suite, one of five bedrooms, features dual walk-in closets and a private patio.

Benjamin Bacal of Rodeo Realty – Beverly Hills held the listing. Joel Liebke of The Lux Group represented the buyer.

$11.6 million – Londonderry Place

A 3,500-square-foot rooftop deck sits atop this sleek modern mansion, which found a buyer in August, records show.

Characterized by clean lines across the interior and exterior, the monochromatic-vibe gem looks out onto the Sunset Strip from floor-to-ceiling windows. Amenities include a theater, six-car garage and five bedrooms.

Out back, steps lead down to a pool and spa next to a covered patio.

Farrah Aldjufrie of the Agency, along with Joshua and Matthew Altman of Douglas Elliman, co-listed the property. Jessica Pasternak of Pacific Union International represented the buyer.

$11.2 million – Rising Glen Road

Oscar-winning director John Schlesinger once owned this pedigreed estate, which was marketed as a development opportunity before selling in September.

The breezy villa is soaked with details reminiscent of Golden Age-era Hollywood. Terrazzo floors line 4,529 square feet of living space, the pool is surrounded by a brick-paved patio, and there’s a bar in the living room.

The home, which was built in 1959, hit the market in January for the first time in a decade, records show.

Christopher Dyson of the Agency was the listing agent. Joshua and Matthew Altman of Douglas Elliman represented the buyer.

$11 million – Nightingale Drive

It wouldn’t be the Hollywood Hills without a bidding war. Pulling in $3.8 million more than asking price was a one-story home on Nightingale Drive, which hit the market in February and sold in 10 days.

Set on a roughly one-acre lot, 1961-built house takes in sweeping views of downtown L.A. The 3,200-square-foot home includes a center-island kitchen, dining area, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. In the living room, sliding glass doors open to a covered patio, pool and spa.

James Harris and David Parnes of the Agency co-listed the home. Bachir Oueida of Douglas Elliman represented the buyer, a limited liability company with ties to Lebanese businessman Fred Mouawad.

jack.flemming@latimes.com

Twitter: @jflem94

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