A 1920s L.A. Estate With Its Own Secret Room Is Up for Grabs
In Los Angeles, it’s somewhat rare to find a nearly century-old residence that still retains most of its original details—especially one like this that contains a secret room created to imbibe on the sly during an era when alcohol was banned!
Built way back in the late 1920s, and last sold to prominent judge Maria Stratton almost three decades ago for $500,000, this Spanish-style gem just popped up for sale in Los Feliz, asking a speck under $4.2 million.
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Per Realtor.com, which first reported on the property, a hallway door on the home’s lower level opens to shelves, which can be pushed to reveal an area beneath the stairs where the owners used to hide their alcohol. “There’s also a little trip switch inside that was used to alert people on the bedroom floor and set off lights if someone was near the alcohol,” says listing agent Laura Thomas Mullen of Sotheby’s International Realty.
Though the room is currently filled with cleaning supplies and a safe, it holds lots of potential. “It could be so cool,” she says. “You could make it something fantastic.”
Tucked away on over a third-acre hilltop parcel secured by a gated driveway that empties out at an attached two-car garage, and sited near Griffith Park, the four-bedroom, five-bath home has almost 5,000 square feet of well-preserved and restored living space boasting the original hardwood and terra-cotta tile floors, wood-beam ceilings, Venetian plaster walls, period light fixtures, arched doorways, colorful tile work and a trio of Batchelder fireplaces.
A hand-carved wood front door embellished with an eye-catching ClayCal tile surround leads into an entry foyer displaying stained-glass windows, alcoves for showing off artwork, and a striking wrought-iron and magnesite staircase. From there, steps descend to a spacious fireside living room spotlighted by an adjoining sunroom and wood-trimmed doors spilling out to a balcony overlooking picturesque views of the San Gabriel Mountains.
A formal dining room can be found on the way to the gourmet kitchen, which is decked out with wood cabinetry, stainless appliances, a center island, walk-in pantry and an accompanying breakfast nook; and elsewhere on the main floor is a family room that has a vaulted wood-beam ceiling and access to another balcony, plus an office space flaunting a built-in bookcase, laundry room and guest bath.
Upstairs, three en-suite bedrooms include a master retreat sporting a fireplace, private balcony, dressing room, and bath equipped with dual pedestal sinks, a soaking tub and separate shower. An additional guest bedroom holds court on the lower level along with the hidden room, and comes complete with a fireplace, bath and private entrance.
Rounding it all out are the lushly landscaped grounds, which are laced with mature oak trees, rose bushes and fruit trees, and host plenty of spots ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining.
Click here for more photos of 3700 Lowry Road.
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