Some Bel Air listings try to sell a fantasy. This one sells something even rarer: longevity.
A timeless gated estate designed by acclaimed architect Gerard Colcord has just hit the market at $7.495 million, offering the kind of old-school Bel Air appeal that still makes people move like it’s 1998 and the zip code is a personality trait.
The property at 253 Ashdale Place is listed with Juliette Hohnen of Douglas Elliman, and it checks boxes buyers don’t always get in one clean package: a full-size tennis court, a pool and spa, sweeping views, and a true estate layout with multiple living spaces that feel designed for real life — not just staging.
Hohnen didn’t mince words about what makes the pocket special, either. “The property is in what I call a buy and die area of Bel Air. Meaning once you buy you stay until you die,” she said.
And honestly? The house fully supports the claim.
The basics: A Gerard Colcord estate listed at $7.495M
The home spans approximately 5,616 square feet and sits on a generous 25,969-square-foot lot, tucked behind gates in one of Bel Air’s most coveted enclaves.
It has six bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, along with multiple indoor-outdoor areas that make the property feel like it unfolds in layers: terraces, patios, balconies, and recreation spaces spread across the grounds.
A celebrity-era architect with a famous fan club
Gerard Colcord isn’t just “an architect.” He’s one of those names that rings a bell for anyone who follows classic California estates, especially those built in the golden-era Bel Air/Hollywood Hills style.
Hohnen called Colcord a “celebrity architect” and noted that owners of his homes have included famous names.
“It’s a Colcord, who was an architect considered a celebrity architect in the 40’s -60’s. People who have owned his designed houses are Harrison Ford, Reese Witherspoon, Beck.”
That kind of architecture pedigree matters in Bel Air. In a neighborhood where new construction is everywhere, an authentic architectural name still carries weight.
Behind gates, wrapped in landscaping, built for privacy
This is one of those properties where the privacy is obvious as soon as you see it.
It sits behind gates, bordered by mature landscaping and privacy hedges, with the lot size providing real breathing room — especially by L.A. standards. The setting feels tucked away and established, like the house has been there long enough to earn its calm.
The kind of Bel Air ownership that’s almost extinct now
One of the biggest storylines here is simply how long the owners held it.
“These people have owned it for 50 years,” Hohnen said.
That isn’t just trivia. In Bel Air, long ownership typically signals the things buyers want most: a livable layout, a property that functions beautifully over time, and the kind of location that keeps feeling right even as the city changes.
The arrival: a classic, gated estate approach
The listing positions this as a true “arrival” home: set back, gated, and built with that formal estate rhythm where the property reveals itself gradually rather than immediately.
This isn’t a glass-box modern where everything is on display from the street. It’s classic Bel Air: controlled access, intentional privacy, and curb appeal rooted in timeless architecture.
Four fireplaces and the kind of warmth modern homes forget
Contemporary builds can sometimes feel like they were designed for a photoshoot, not a life. This house goes in the opposite direction.
The home includes four fireplaces, helping anchor the major living spaces with warmth and that classic old-L.A. atmosphere — especially paired with the home’s vaulted ceilings and millwork.
It’s the type of house that still understands the appeal of cozy corners.
Custom millwork and vaulted ceilings that add character instantly
One of the clearest advantages in a Colcord-designed home is character. Not fake character. Not “we added beams last year” character. Real architectural charm that’s baked in.
This residence features custom millwork and vaulted ceilings, along with traditional design elements that make the interiors feel collected and finished — even before furniture.
Multiple living areas (because Bel Air homes should actually live well)
The layout has several distinct living spaces, which sounds basic until you tour enough L.A. houses that basically give you one giant room and call it luxury.
Here, the home includes:
- Официальная гостиная
- A den with wet bar
- A sunlit family room
That mix matters for daily life. It also makes entertaining easier because the house can hold different moods at once: quiet conversation in one space, movie-night energy in another, cocktails at the wet bar without taking over the kitchen.
Den with wet bar = the home’s social headquarters
The wet bar detail is a small thing that becomes a big thing the second people start coming over.
It’s one of those “Bel Air adulting” features: a space that supports hosting without turning the whole house into one big party zone. The den becomes a natural anchor point, especially when paired with outdoor access.
Chef’s kitchen with Calacatta marble counters
The heart of the home is a true chef’s kitchen with Calacatta marble countertops and top-of-the-line appliances, meaning it has both the look and the functionality.
And unlike some trophy kitchens that are clearly designed to stay spotless, this one sounds built for actual use, especially given the additional prep space.
Butler’s pantry / scullery kitchen for behind-the-scenes hosting
A huge detail in the listing: there’s a separate butler’s pantry/scullery kitchen.
That automatically puts this home into a different category for entertaining because it allows mess, prep, catering trays, and chaos to stay out of sight while the main kitchen stays calm and guest-ready.
It’s one of those ultra-practical luxury upgrades that doesn’t scream for attention, but trophy buyers absolutely notice.
The primary suite is all about views (and the Getty at night)
The primary suite is positioned as one of the major “wow” features of the house and Hohnen specifically called out the view experience.
“The primary… has these amazing ocean views [and] has a view of the Getty that looks stunning at night.”
That is such a Bel Air sentence. Ocean views and a nighttime Getty view is exactly the kind of flex that makes people stop mid-tour and just stare out the window for five minutes.
A huge walk-in closet plus a built-in window-seat nook
This detail is genuinely charming and very in line with the home’s classic character.
Hohnen highlighted the closet setup and an additional room attached to it:
“It has a huge walk-in closet and its own little room attached to the closet with a beautiful built-in window seat.”
That sounds like the kind of space that becomes a favorite immediately; quiet, tucked away, filled with natural light. Not everything needs to be a gym or a theater room. Sometimes Bel Air luxury is a private window seat with a book and a view.
Spa-like primary bath with soaking tub and Calacatta shower
The primary bath is described as spa-like, with a soaking tub and a Calacatta marble shower.
It fits the home’s overall vibe: classic, elevated, and serene rather than flashy.
The tennis court: full-size, estate-level, no compromises
This is the headline feature.
The estate includes a full-size tennis court, plus a basketball hoop, which instantly turns the property into a true recreation compound rather than “a nice house with a backyard.”
In Bel Air, tennis courts are a status marker — but they’re also a land marker. They signal serious lot size and serious lifestyle.
A pool and spa setup with bluestone decking
Beyond the tennis court, the listing includes a resort-style pool environment with:
- Pool and spa
- Bluestone decking
- Retractable awnings
Bluestone always reads expensive (because it is), but it’s also a great functional choice: timeless, textured, and built for bare feet in a way glossy stone just isn’t.
Retractable awnings = quiet luxury, L.A. edition
This feature deserves its own moment, because it’s exactly the kind of thing people overlook until they own it.
Retractable awnings make outdoor living genuinely comfortable — particularly in L.A., where outdoor dining is basically year-round but the sun can be relentless. It’s not dramatic, but it’s smart.
A “park-like” lot designed for both recreation and quiet
The listing describes the grounds as park-like, and based on the lot size and amenities, it tracks.
This isn’t just a tennis court and a pool wedged onto a property. It’s a full estate with:
- multiple outdoor zones
- mature landscaping
- privacy hedging
- space to roam
In a neighborhood where so many homes go vertical, this one keeps the land as part of the lifestyle.
Smart upgrades: generator, central vac, AV wiring
The listing also notes meaningful updates, including a new generator, a central vacuum system, integrated audio-visual wiring. These aren’t the sexy listing details, but they’re the details that make the difference once someone moves in.
A perfect family home in Bel Air
В то время как некоторые ultra-high-end L.A. homes can sit when they’re overpriced or overly personalized, this one presents as classic, functional, and family-friendly—three words that still matter even at $7.5M.
Hohnen put it simply: “I think well priced and well-presented houses sell. I think this is the perfect family home.”
It’s a fair point. Homes that look beautiful and feel livable tend to hold demand, especially in the most established pockets of Bel Air, where the buyer pool is often shopping for a long-term “forever” estate, not a temporary crash pad.
Больше историй
Эти впечатляющие особняки в Бель-Эйр демонстрируют уровень домов в этом районе
What $50 million buys you in Bel Air: Tour a newly built 20,000 sq. ft. mansion
Пост Gated $7.5M estate with full-size tennis court nails classic Bel Air living впервые появился на Дома с модными брюками.
English