Who Owns the Spelling Mansion Now? (And Why It’s Still a Big Deal)
Let’s get one thing straight: the Spelling Mansion is not your average abode. It’s not a “house” – it’s a sprawling, 57,000-square-foot palace, a testament to the extravagance of the 20th century and a constant reminder that some people really, really like to live large. But the question we’re here to answer is: Who owns this legendary piece of real estate now? Buckle up, because the answer is a wild ride through the lives of billionaires, heiresses, and a whole lot of glitz and glam.
The Short Answer: As of right now, the Spelling Mansion is owned by Canadian multi-billionaire Daryl Katz, the owner of the Edmonton Oilers ice hockey team. He snagged the property for a record-breaking $120 million in 2019, making it the most expensive home ever sold in Los Angeles.
But Wait, There’s More:
This isn’t a simple “who owns it” story. To truly understand the Spelling Mansion, we need to delve into its history, the characters who have graced (and sometimes, ungraced) its halls, and the rollercoaster ride of its ownership.
The Era of the Spellings:
The mansion was built in the 1980s by the late television producer Aaron Spelling and his wife, Candy Spelling. Think “Dynasty,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Beverly Hills, 90210” – that’s the level of glitz and glam we’re talking about. They spared no expense, creating a 123-room palace fit for royalty. The house even had a bowling alley, a tennis court, and a 100-car garage. It’s like if Marie Antoinette and Donald Trump had a design baby, and that baby went on a shopping spree at the world’s most luxurious furniture store.
Candy’s Time in the Spotlight:
After Aaron’s death in 2006, Candy decided she was ready for a change of pace. The mansion, once a hub of Hollywood parties, became a bit too much for her. “I was tired of dusting,” she admitted, and she put it on the market for a whopping $150 million.
Enter Petra Ecclestone, Formula One Heiress:
In 2011, the mansion found a new owner: Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Formula One racing magnate Bernie Ecclestone. This was, shall we say, a very high-profile sale. Petra paid a cool $85 million for the place, proving that some people have a very different definition of “too big.”
The Mansion’s Rollercoaster Ride:
The mansion’s ownership history is a bit like a soap opera, filled with twists, turns, and enough drama to fuel a season of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Petra owned it for a while, then sold it to Daryl Katz for a record-breaking $120 million in 2019.
The $165 Million Question:
Why is the mansion still such a big deal? The answer lies in its history, its sheer size, and its location. It’s a piece of Hollywood history, a monument to the era of big-budget television, and a constant reminder that some people truly live in different worlds.
So, What’s Next for the Spelling Mansion?
It’s anyone’s guess. Will Daryl Katz turn it into a museum dedicated to the golden age of television? Will he rent it out for extravagant parties, making it a modern-day version of Versailles? Or will he simply enjoy the peace and quiet of a 57,000-square-foot home?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Spelling Mansion will continue to be a captivating symbol of extravagance, a reminder that some people live in a world of champagne wishes and caviar dreams.
Here’s a little “Spelling Mansion Trivia” to test your knowledge:
- The mansion has 123 rooms, more rooms than many hotels. Just imagine the cleaning bill!
- The house is on a 4.7-acre lot, which is bigger than some small towns. You could probably fit a few decent-sized football fields in that space.
- The mansion has a bowling alley, a tennis court, and a 100-car garage. It’s like a mini-city, complete with its own entertainment center.
So, the next time you’re driving through Los Angeles and you see a massive white mansion peeking out from behind the trees, remember: that’s the Spelling Mansion, a testament to the extravagance of Hollywood, a symbol of the American dream (in its most extreme form), and a home that has been through more twists and turns than a roller coaster at Disneyland.
