Drew Barrymore’s grandfather once owned this Los Angeles estate; after Tony Scott bought and updated it, the property spent six years on the market before selling to her Charlie’s Angels director for $14.7 million

Built in the late 1920s by architect John Byers, the estate occupies just under an acre in Beverly Hills’ prestigious Post Office neighbourhood. John Barrymore, one of the celebrated actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age, was once its owner, giving the property an especially notable place in the city’s cinematic history.

Some Los Angeles homes accumulate history so naturally that the property itself begins to feel like a Hollywood character. This Beverly Hills estate is one of them. Once associated with legendary actor John Barrymore, the sprawling Spanish Colonial compound has now changed hands for $14.7 million, adding another filmmaker to a property already woven into the story of American cinema, states a report by the Architectural Digest. The buyer is director and producer McG, who famously worked with Barrymore’s granddaughter, Drew Barrymore, on the Charlie’s Angels films, adds the online report.

A century of Hollywood connections

Built in the late 1920s by architect John Byers, the estate occupies just under an acre in Beverly Hills’ prestigious Post Office neighbourhood. John Barrymore, one of the celebrated actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age, was once its owner, giving the property an especially notable place in the city’s cinematic history, states the report.The seven-bedroom, 11-bathroom compound encompasses 6,976 square feet across a collection of structures. Rather than relying on a single grand residence, the property is arranged as a small private enclave, with a three-bedroom main house, two guest cottages, a one-bedroom bungalow and a two-storey guest house, adds the report by Architectural Digest.That layout gives the estate the feel of a secluded Hollywood retreat while offering plenty of space for entertaining and hosting guests, the online report adds.

Spanish colonial character

Much of the main residence retains the architectural language of its era, with exposed-beam ceilings, arched windows, French doors and richly detailed interiors. A formal living room features a mural-painted ceiling, while a wood-panelled library is anchored by built-in bookcases and a substantial fireplace.Another standout is the pub room, complete with a bar, dartboard and fireplace, creating a distinctly old-school entertainment space within the home. The interiors are not entirely locked in the past, however. Some of the guest spaces have been updated with a more contemporary aesthetic, including rooms featuring understated concrete walls. The contrast gives the compound a layered quality, balancing its historic Spanish Colonial architecture with more modern touches.

Gardens made for entertaining

Outside, brick and stone pathways connect the various structures, while loggias provide shaded areas for relaxing. The grounds also include a koi pond, fountains and a kidney-shaped swimming pool, reinforcing the estate’s resort-like atmosphere. The property most recently belonged to Donna Scott, widow of filmmaker Tony Scott, who was known for directing films including Top Gun. Scott had acquired and updated the estate, but despite its provenance and extensive amenities, the property remained on the market for six years before finally selling.Now, its next chapter comes with another Hollywood connection. McG, who directed Drew Barrymore in both Charlie’s Angels and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, has become the latest custodian of a house whose history already reads like a film-industry family tree.Images Courtesy: Facebook and Architectural Digest