Home closest to Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood sign hits market

A rare home below the Hollywood sign has hit the market for the first time in almost 40 years for USD$2.25 million ($A3.5 million).

Nestled into the hillside of Beachwood Canyon, the A-frame chalet isn’t just close to the famous sign — it’s the closest residence to it, the New York Post reports.

“It is extremely limited,” agent Christopher Soffer told the outlet.

“Being the closest house to the Hollywood sign in the world is as limited as it gets.”

“It’s perched up in the trees, almost like a treehouse.

“You have this sense when you’re there that you really feel like you’re entrenched in this lifestyle and this period of time that seems to have faded away with the modern age.”

A rare A-frame home has hit the market for the first time in almost 40 years for $US2.25 million. Picture: Lawrence Fitz-Simon via NY Post

The 1963 chalet-style property sits at the end of a private road in LA’s Beachwood Canyon and is surrounded by untouched wilderness. Picture: Lawrence Fitz-Simon via NY Post

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Built in 1963 and tucked at the end of a private road, the three-bedroom home is a rarity in both style and setting.

Its A-frame design — uncommon in Los Angeles — is clad in wood inside and out, creating a cabin-in-the-woods ambience in the middle of one of the city’s most iconic neighbourhoods.

“There’s tons and tons of wood,” Mr Soffer said. “You kind of also feel like you’re in a cabin in the woods, which is beautiful because the entire A-frame is essentially made out of wood.”

The home’s current owners, digital effects pioneer Jeffrey Kleiser and sculptor Diana Walczak, have used the space as both a residence and creative incubator.

Ms Walczak, best known for sculpting the Michael Jackson HIStory statue and designing its digital version for the album cover, and Kleiser, whose credits span “Tron” to “X-Men,” are consolidating their property portfolio, according to Mr Soffer.

“They’ve absolutely loved living there and they are creatives themselves,” Mr Soffer said.

“They’ve actually recorded in that house, numerous bands over the years.”

Walczak is best known for sculpting Michael Jackson’s HIStory statue, while Kleiser’s visual effects work includes “Tron” and “X-Men.” Picture: Lawrence Fitz-Simon via NY Post

One of the most famous is The Association, the 1960s band behind hits like “Cherish” and “Windy”.

Their connection to the property earned it a cameo in Linda McCartney’s photography book, “The Sixties”.

The home’s creative legacy doesn’t stop at music, and has quietly played host to artists, sculptors and filmmakers over the decades.

“That place kind of attracts a very interesting crowd and has a very interesting creative energy to it,” Mr Soffer said.

Though it’s tucked into the hills, the property is not without modern acclaim. It has been featured on “Staycation,” the Emmy-winning travel show, and was recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of California’s best Airbnbs.

The owners even produce “Hollywood Honey” on the premises, courtesy of a small hillside apiary tended by a local beekeeper.

The three-bedroom home has played host to numerous artists and musicians. Picture: Lawrence Fitz-Simon via NY Post

The house’s positioning on the ridge yields dual vistas: the Hollywood sign at its back and sweeping views of downtown LA, Griffith Park, and — on clear days — the Pacific Ocean at its front.

“When you are building on a site like that, the Hollywood sign is as direct as it gets,” Mr Soffer said.

“When you’re sitting on either of the rooftop decks, all you can see is the Hollywood sign … and on the front of the house, you have these panoramic views of the city.”

The listing also marks a nod to the roots of the surrounding area.

“Originally, Beachwood Canyon was built by a single guy and he had done it because he wanted to create a neighbourhood that was perfect for Hollywood and studio production,” Mr Soffer said.

“When they first built the Hollywood sign, it was actually almost like an advertisement for the neighbourhood.”

At the time, the sign was even illuminated at night — a touch of glamour that has since disappeared.

“They actually used to have lights on the Hollywood sign, believe it or not,” Mr Soffer said.

“I would love to see that today, but I think it might be a little bit too bright for the current landscape of the neighbourhood.”

Despite its fame-adjacent location, the home has remained surprisingly peaceful, with the owners reporting no issues from tourists or passers-by. Picture: Lawrence Fitz-Simon via NY Post

Despite its proximity to a tourist magnet, the property offers peace and privacy.

“They said everyone is so enamoured by the sign, everyone’s in such a good mood when they’re up there,” Mr Soffer said of the owners.

“They’ve never had any issues with break-ins or trespassing or anything like that over the years.”

There’s little risk of competition either: “To the right of the property, if you’re facing the property, there’s only one other lot that can be developed,” Mr Soffer noted.

“As of now, there’s nothing on it. It’s just a raw piece of land. And beyond that, it’s pure wilderness.”

It’s that blend of exclusivity, architectural significance, and Hollywood history that Mr Soffer believes makes the home one-of-a-kind.

“The architectural community loves these types of houses — A-frame houses,” he said.

“They aren’t typical for Los Angeles, and when they do pop up, it’s something to be cherished.”

Parts of this story first appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission.

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