C.E. Toberman Estate
Encyclopedia
The C. E. Toberman Estate, also known as Via Las Colinas, is a gated Mission Revival
mansion and estate on Camino Palermo in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1983.
and Spanish Colonial Revival style dream house, which took two years to build and was completed in 1924. The estate, built on a 2 acres (8,093.7 m²) lot, includes a 19-room, 9800 square feet (910.4 m²) main house, a 1809 square feet (168.1 m²) guest apartment and garage, and a separate natatorium
with a 30 by 50 feet (15.2 m) tiled pool with cabana
s under skylights. The main house has eight fireplaces, a butler's pantry and cut-crystal doorknobs. Toberman, who lived to be 101 years old, recalled in a 1981 interview that the estate became "practically a country club" with its enclosed enclosed swimming pool, tennis courts, a nine-hole pitch-and-putt golf course, and formal gardens.
, Grauman's Chinese Theater, the Roosevelt Hotel, the Grauman's Egyptian Theatre
and the Hollywood Masonic Temple
. The house was reportedly featured in the first issue of Architectural Digest
with a young Bette Davis
at the front door. The Toberman family lived at the estate until 1941. It was situated on one of the most exclusive streets in Hollywood, adjacent to the Errol Flynn
estate and with neighbors including Bette Davis, Samuel Goldwyn
, Preston Sturges
, Al Jolson
, Ozzie
and Harriet Nelson
and Fatty Arbuckle
.
In 1980, the Toberman estate sold for $1 million (then a record price for a house in the Los Colinos section of Hollywood), and it was listed for sale in 1982 at a price of $1.5 million. The estate was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1983, after the property was purchased and renovated by Beverly Hills
attorney and investor Donald L. Hunt. In the 1980s the house was recommended for Historic-Cultural Monument status by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission, but the proposal was initially rejected by the City Council
because "the property owner and the councilman of the district object." The estate was later designated as Historic Cultural Monument #285.
The Toberman Estate has long been a popular filming location. In 1990, it was the principal filming location for the film Where Sleeping Dogs Lie
. The Toberman Estate was also used as "the hip 'trophy' house of Vincent Chase
on the first two seasons of HBO's Entourage
and the later sixth season.
The estate was later renamed "Via Las Colinas" and is rented for receptions and special events at price of "$10,000–$50,000 depending on your event's requirements."
responded at 8:29 AM with 130 firefighters. The flames spread to the attic, and it took just over two hours for it to be extinguished. Two firefighters received minor injuries and were taken to local hospitals. The cause is yet unknown, and the extent of the damage has not been assessed.
Mission Revival Style architecture
The Mission Revival Style was an architectural movement that began in the late 19th century for a colonial style's revivalism and reinterpretation, which drew inspiration from the late 18th and early 19th century Spanish missions in California....
mansion and estate on Camino Palermo in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Hollywood is a famous district in Los Angeles, California, United States situated west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Due to its fame and cultural identity as the historical center of movie studios and movie stars, the word Hollywood is often used as a metonym of American cinema...
. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1983.
Architecture
In 1922, C. E. Toberman hired architects Russell & Alspagh to design his Mission RevivalMission Revival Style architecture
The Mission Revival Style was an architectural movement that began in the late 19th century for a colonial style's revivalism and reinterpretation, which drew inspiration from the late 18th and early 19th century Spanish missions in California....
and Spanish Colonial Revival style dream house, which took two years to build and was completed in 1924. The estate, built on a 2 acres (8,093.7 m²) lot, includes a 19-room, 9800 square feet (910.4 m²) main house, a 1809 square feet (168.1 m²) guest apartment and garage, and a separate natatorium
Natatorium
A natatorium is a term given for a building containing a swimming pool. In Latin, a cella natatoria was a swimming pool in its own building, although it is sometimes also used to refer to any indoor pool even if not housed in a dedicated building...
with a 30 by 50 feet (15.2 m) tiled pool with cabana
Cabana (structure)
A cabana or cabaña is a structure of either of these types: an 'indigenous hut' or a 'recreational structure'.-Indigenous hut:A small hut built with a thatched roof, most commonly built in tropical climates near natural bodies of water....
s under skylights. The main house has eight fireplaces, a butler's pantry and cut-crystal doorknobs. Toberman, who lived to be 101 years old, recalled in a 1981 interview that the estate became "practically a country club" with its enclosed enclosed swimming pool, tennis courts, a nine-hole pitch-and-putt golf course, and formal gardens.
History
The house was built for Charles E. Toberman (1880-1981), a noted real estate developer who was known as "Mr. Hollywood" and the "Father of Hollywood" for his role in developing Hollywood and many of its landmarks, including the Hollywood BowlHollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheater in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California, United States that is used primarily for music performances...
, Grauman's Chinese Theater, the Roosevelt Hotel, the Grauman's Egyptian Theatre
Grauman's Egyptian Theatre
Grauman's Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California, is one of the world's most famous movie theatres. Opened in 1922, it was the venue for the first-ever Hollywood premiere.- History :...
and the Hollywood Masonic Temple
Hollywood Masonic Temple
Hollywood Masonic Temple, now known as the El Capitan Entertainment Centre, is a building on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California that was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The building was designed by architect John C. Austin, also noted as the lead architect of...
. The house was reportedly featured in the first issue of Architectural Digest
Architectural Digest
Architectural Digest is an American monthly magazine. Its principal subject is interior design, not — as the name of the magazine might suggest — architecture more generally. The magazine is published by Condé Nast Publications and was founded in 1920, by the Knapp family, who sold it in 1993...
with a young Bette Davis
Bette Davis
Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis was an American actress of film, television and theater. Noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic characters, she was highly regarded for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional...
at the front door. The Toberman family lived at the estate until 1941. It was situated on one of the most exclusive streets in Hollywood, adjacent to the Errol Flynn
Errol Flynn
Errol Leslie Flynn was an Australian-born actor. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles in Hollywood films, being a legend and his flamboyant lifestyle.-Early life:...
estate and with neighbors including Bette Davis, Samuel Goldwyn
Samuel Goldwyn
Samuel Goldwyn was an American film producer, and founding contributor executive of several motion picture studios.-Biography:...
, Preston Sturges
Preston Sturges
Preston Sturges , originally Edmund Preston Biden, was a celebrated playwright, screenwriter and film director born in Chicago, Illinois...
, Al Jolson
Al Jolson
Al Jolson was an American singer, comedian and actor. In his heyday, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer"....
, Ozzie
Ozzie Nelson
Oswald George "Ozzie" Nelson was an American entertainer and band leader who originated and starred in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet radio and television series with his wife and two sons.-Early life:...
and Harriet Nelson
Harriet Nelson
Harriet Nelson was an American singer and actress. Nelson is best known for her role on the long-running sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.-Early life and career:...
and Fatty Arbuckle
Fatty Arbuckle
Roscoe Conkling "Fatty" Arbuckle was an American silent film actor, comedian, director, and screenwriter. Starting at the Selig Polyscope Company he eventually moved to Keystone Studios where he worked with Mabel Normand and Harold Lloyd...
.
In 1980, the Toberman estate sold for $1 million (then a record price for a house in the Los Colinos section of Hollywood), and it was listed for sale in 1982 at a price of $1.5 million. The estate was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1983, after the property was purchased and renovated by Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills is an affluent city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. With a population of 34,109 at the 2010 census, up from 33,784 as of the 2000 census, it is home to numerous Hollywood celebrities. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together...
attorney and investor Donald L. Hunt. In the 1980s the house was recommended for Historic-Cultural Monument status by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission, but the proposal was initially rejected by the City Council
Los Angeles City Council
The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles.The Council is composed of fifteen members elected from single-member districts for four-year terms. The president of the council and the president pro tempore are chosen by the Council at the first regular meeting after...
because "the property owner and the councilman of the district object." The estate was later designated as Historic Cultural Monument #285.
The Toberman Estate has long been a popular filming location. In 1990, it was the principal filming location for the film Where Sleeping Dogs Lie
Where Sleeping Dogs Lie
Where Sleeping Dogs Lie is a 1991 thriller film directed by Charles Finch and starred Dylan McDermott, Sharon Stone and Tom Sizemore. The primary location for "Sleeping Dogs" was C.E. Toberman Estate, a large Mediterranean-style, 22-room house built at the top of Camino Palmero in 1928 by C. E....
. The Toberman Estate was also used as "the hip 'trophy' house of Vincent Chase
Vincent Chase
Vincent "Vince" Chase is a fictional character on the comedy-drama television series Entourage. He is played by Adrian Grenier.-Personal life:...
on the first two seasons of HBO's Entourage
Entourage (TV series)
Entourage is an American comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO on July 18, 2004 and concluded on September 11, 2011, after eight seasons...
and the later sixth season.
The estate was later renamed "Via Las Colinas" and is rented for receptions and special events at price of "$10,000–$50,000 depending on your event's requirements."
August 2009 Fire
On the morning of August 30th, 2009, a fire broke out in the kitchen of the main house. The Los Angeles Fire DepartmentLos Angeles Fire Department
The Los Angeles Fire Department is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Los Angeles....
responded at 8:29 AM with 130 firefighters. The flames spread to the attic, and it took just over two hours for it to be extinguished. Two firefighters received minor injuries and were taken to local hospitals. The cause is yet unknown, and the extent of the damage has not been assessed.