Beverly Hills Luxury Real Estate

Before it became synonymous with luxury, the city of Beverly Hills was once used as a Spanish ranch where lima beans were grown and harvested. It was officially incorporated in 1914, when several investors in search of oil saw its potential, developing it into a town.

Today, Beverly Hills is a prestigious community that’s home to many rich and famous personalities. The luxurious enclave combines the best of Southern California, offering an enticing mix of high-end shopping venues, world-class championship golf courses, upscale dining, and so much more.

Real Estate Options in Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills is undeniably one of the country’s top spots for luxury homebuyers seeking the finest properties. Properties throughout the city are one-of-a-kind and are not made with pre-fabricated designs – every property is custom-built and masterfully designed by top architectural firms throughout the world.

Beverly Hills properties offer an unparalleled lifestyle. Buyers will be able to find contemporary homes surrounded by breathtaking views, impressive mid-century mansions equipped with the finest features, and sprawling estates boasting a perfect combination of luxury, elegance, and privacy.

In addition to its fine selection of homes, the level of safety and security in Beverly Hills is second to none. The Beverly Hills Police Department is one of the country’s top-ranked police forces, and the city’s Fire Department has a Class 1 Public Protection Classification.

Local Attractions In Beverly Hills

• Beverly Hills’ iconic Rodeo Drive is one of the most famous shopping districts in the world. Not only can shoppers find a selection of the most exclusive designer boutiques at Rodeo Drive; the venue also features a lovely old-world atmosphere featuring elegant archways, cobblestone walkways, and gorgeous architecture.
• Beverly Hills is home to a great selection of first-class fine dining restaurants. Diners will be able to sample some of the finest cuisine made by top-rated chefs in world-renowned restaurants such as Spago, Mastro’s Steakhouse, Lawry’s, and CUT, just to give you a few samples.

What you should know about living in Beverly Hills

When it comes to famous neighborhoods, few can compare to Beverly Hills.

Consistently ranked among the nation’s most popular — and exclusive — neighborhoods, Beverly Hills has been featured and mentioned in countless songs, movies, and television shows for decades as the address of choice for the rich and famous. 

To fully understand the enduring fame that Beverly Hills has, you first have to look into what makes this city tick — including its colorful history.

Beverly Hills can trace its beginnings to 1828, when Maria Rita Quinteros de Valdez and her husband turned the 4,539-acre land they received as a grant from the US government into a ranch, which they called the Rancho Rodeo de las Aguas.

For the rest of the century, the region would remain largely agricultural, its land mainly used for the cultivation of beans and other similar crops. In 1900, however, the Rodeo Land and Water Company acquired the property and, failing to find oil, turned it into a housing development, which they named Beverly Hills.

It didn’t take long for Beverly Hills to become a popular area for celebrities to live in and soon it acquired the moniker “Home of the Stars”.  This reputation endures into the present, with stars such as Katy Perry, John Legend, Elton John, and Adele known for having properties in the area. Indeed, the people who have or had a property in Beverly Hills reads like Who’s Who in the entertainment industry. 

The Beverly Hills of today is a medium-sized city, with seven constituent neighborhoods, and a population of 33,792 people. Beverly Hills is part of the so-called Platinum Triangle — a distinction it shares with the equally-affluent neighborhoods of Bel Air and Holmby Hills. Together the three contain some of the most sought-after housing properties in the country. 

Grand style with a deep history

As home to many of Hollywood’s superstars, it’s not surprising that Beverly Hills has more than its share of sprawling mansions and luxury estates, almost all of which boast grand architecture and exquisite construction.

Take, for instance, the majority of the houses at Beverly Park, which feature properties such as actor Mark Wahlberg’s 30,000 square foot Mediterranean-style estate.

The house, which the “The Departed” actor shares with his family, has multiple well-appointed bedrooms, a master suite, and a professional kitchen. It also has its own movie theater, an outdoor space with a putting green, cabanas, a large swimming pool, and a separate gym — complete with a full-sized boxing ring!

One other proud Beverly Hills resident is pop singer and superstar Taylor Swift. 

The Grammy winner purchased a 10,982-square-foot mansion formerly owned by movie mogul Samuel Goldwyn — one of the founders of the iconic film studio Metro Goldwyn Mayer — in 2015.

Designed by architects Douglas Honnold and George Vernon Russell, the two-storey Georgian Revival-style property boasts a library and a private theater, as well as a gym, a swimming pool with a cabana, tennis courts and a croquet pitch, and even a two-bedroom guest apartment above its garage. 

Built in 1934, the historic four-bedroom house has since been restored to its former glory —a result of Swift lobbying for its designation as a Historic Landmark. 

Another notable structure that’s typical of classic Beverly Hills-style luxury is Greystone Mansion. 

A Tudor Revival mansion, the Greystone Mansion was designed by Gordon Kaufmann in 1928 at the behest of oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny. Once considered to be the most expensive home in the entirety of California, it is now owned and operated by the city of Beverly Hills, and has since become a notable filming location for films such as “Batman & Robin,” “The Big Lebowski,” “The Bodyguard,” and “X-Men,” to name a few.

While it might be said that the city leans towards the classic styles when it comes to architecture, some houses and properties are decidedly more whimsical. Take Spadena House at Walden Drive, which was built in the Storybook style prevalent in the 1920s. The house, designed by Hollywood art director Harry Oliver in 1921, was first used in a film set, before being converted into a private residence. 

Known to the locals as the “Witch’s House,” the Spadena House has a pointy, lopsided roof, kooky-looking leaded glass windows, and stucco-covered walls, not to mention an intentionally overgrown English-style garden and a charming, medieval moat-like pond.

Because of its unique appearance that looks straight out of a fairytale, the Spadena House is a regular stop in many guided tours of the city, as well as a popular haunt for the local kids come Halloween..

Beverly Hills Homes for Sale

Beverly Hills has a robust and healthy luxury real estate market, with properties in the city having a median value of $2,000,000.

One possible reason for this relatively rosy situation is the fact that luxury real estate properties — such as the ones that have that world-famous 90210 zip code — hold their value extremely well, making them secure and worthwhile investments for homeowners.

Those looking for properties in Beverly Hills are advised to consult  an experienced and knowledgeable realtor to better understand the neighborhoods in the area.  Want to live among the stars and their mansions? Head over to the northern part of the city to get a closer look at the area’s most exclusive and star-studded enclaves, such as Beverly Hills Flats, Trousdale Estates, and Beverly Hills Gateway. Want a more peaceful and suburban neighborhood? Go down south to find the city’s quieter, more family-friendly side, including the neighborhoods of Doheny and Beverly Grove.

Living in Beverly Hills

Exclusivity does come with a cost. Home values, mortgages, and rent are some of the highest in the nation, translating to a cost of living that is around 146% higher than the national average.

This is offset, however, by the abundance of job opportunities in the area,  provided by major national corporations that have  their headquarters in the area, such as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Aeroflot, Hilton Hotels Corporation, El Al, and Amazon. Other major employers in the area include media giants such as NBC Universal, Activision Blizzard, the Walt Disney Company, and Live Nation Entertainment. 

In addition, the city is also home to establishments, like Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, the Hillstone Restaurant Group, Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills Hotel, and the William Morris Agency.

Aside from having an impressive slate of employment opportunities, Beverly Hills is also a good place when it comes to education, with the city boasting some of the best public schools in the entire country, including Horace Mann Elementary School and Beverly Hills High School, among others.

Operated by the Beverly Hills Unified School District, Horace Mann Elementary School consistently ranks high in terms of performance, with its elementary and middle school departments considered to be among the top 83.1% and 90% schools in California, respectively.

Beverly Hills High School, boasts a rigorous curriculum with 18 AP classes, as well as foreign-language courses. The school, which counts actresses Angelina Jolie and Carrie Fisher, musician Lenny Kravitz, and researcher Daniel Yergin among its notable alumni, has been recognized with the Blue-Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education — an award widely considered to be the highest citation that an American school can receive.

What are the best parts of living in Beverly Hills?

Aside from the fine architecture and luxuries you can encounter in Beverly Hills, the city has other things to be excited about:

• It’s always sunny in Beverly Hills

Much like the rest of Southern California, Beverly Hills has a Mediterranean micro-climate, which means that the city is usually dry and hot, although occasional rain and strong gusts of wind can be experienced come wintertime. 

Because of its balmy climate, outdoor activities are popular at Beverly Hills—just ask the locals!

• Beverly Hills is a foodie’s dream destination

Beverly Hills is nothing short of a foodie’s paradise, with the city home to many restaurants, cafés, and food shops specializing in different cuisines, which means that there is something for everyone in the city.

Want a sushi roll for lunch? Head over to SUGARFISH by Sushi Nozawa at N. Canon Drive and get yourself their trademark toro and Japanese yellowtail hand rolls. Craving a steak dinner? Book a reservation at Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse and get their Wagyu Ancho for a decadent and indulgent experience.

In the mood for something sweet? Well, consider yourself lucky because Beverly Hills has enough specialty sweets and dessert shops to satisfy your sweet tooth, such as Sprinkles Cupcakes and 'Lette Macarons. 

Fun fact for classic TV and candy afficionados: the world-famous Edelweiss Chocolates factory inspired the iconic "Job Switching" assembly line scene in the beloved “I Love Lucy” comedy series.

• Everything’s within reach at Beverly Hills

While private vehicles still comprise the main mode of transportation in Beverly Hills, the city’s residents also enjoy effective public transportation — courtesy of the city’s bus and rail system. 

In addition, the city offers a bike rental service to residents, as well as other transport options, such as free shuttle services for seniors to and from their homes. Beverly Hills also offers other services such as special discount programs for disabled residents.

• Beverly Hills is a shopper’s paradise

Your Beverly Hills experience wouldn’t be complete without a stroll down the three blocks that comprise Rodeo Drive. 






Located just north of Wilshire Boulevard is Rodeo Drive, the world-famous fashion destination that’s teeming with high-end shops, boutiques, and designer-label stores, such as Lanvin, Burberry, Cartier, Gucci, and Versace.

A fashion mecca, Rodeo Drive has been immortalized in pop culture, most notably in the Julia Roberts film “Pretty Woman,” as well as the teeny-bopper hit “Clueless,” which starred a young and bright-eyed Alicia Silverstone.  

• You’ll never run out of things to do in Beverly Hills

Despite its reputation as a luxury shopping destination, there are still a lot of things that you can do at Beverly Hills that don't involve shopping. This includes visiting the city's many parks and outdoor spaces, one of which is Beverly Gardens, a beautiful linear park located along Santa Monica Boulevard. 

Home to the 40-foot Beverly Hills sign, the historic park is home to a few interesting features for its visitors, such as the Cactus and Foothill Rose Gardens, the Wilshire Electric Fountain, the Doheny Fountain, and a well-maintained jogging and walking path.

Another garden that residents can visit is the Virginia Robinson Gardens at Elden Way, right behind the grand Beverly Hills Hotel.

 

Famous for its breathtaking display gardens and its magnificent mansion, the 6.2-acre Virginia Robinson Gardens also has the distinction of having the largest collection of King Palms outside of their native Australia, making it a must-visit site for locals and visitors alike. 

Another popular outdoor destination in the city is Roxbury Park, which has since become a go-to spot for picnics and other open-air activities.

The Park, located in the neighborhood of the same name, has become popular among sports and fitness enthusiasts, mainly because of its wide selection of outdoor recreational facilities, such as a playground and separate areas for sports such as baseball, basketball, tennis, sand volleyball and even lawn bowling. 

Already a popular oasis for Beverly Hills residents, Roxbury Park also hosts the city’s annual “Woofstock 90210” event which highlights and celebrates the importance of pet adoption and animal rescues. 

Beverly Hills is home to significant information centers, such as the famed Beverly Hills Public Library, which houses not just a massive collection of books and magazines, but also the Paley Center for Media’s extensive archive of more than 120,000 TV shows and radio programs. The library also allows writers to self-publish paper and e-book versions of their works, making it an important resource to budding authors. The library also offers weekly literacy classes and one-on-one tutoring, as well as host events such as Storytime Hours, Family Movie Nights, and Book Discussions. 

A city that revels in art, Beverly Hills is also known for being the home of the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, which specializes in highlighting works made by contemporary artists. 

Those who love organic produce can enjoy the city’s weekly outdoor farmer’s market. Held every Sunday at Civic Center Drive, the Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market gives  residents the chance to buy seasonal produce from local farmers and artisans in a safe open-air setting. 

Aside from showcasing produce from local growers, the Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market also holds special events such as cooking workshops for children.

90210 is a famous zip code, and the neighborhood it is attached to has some of the most sought-after real estate properties in the world.

Making the dream a reality

Aspiring Beverly Hills residents can make their dream move with the help of real estate agents and experts like Joe Liebke. Acquiring real estate properties in the world’s luxury capital is now a much easier endeavor.

The CEO and Broker for premier full service real estate firm The Lux Group, Liebke has over 20 years of real estate experience and is well-known for using his outstanding leadership and business development skills — as well as his talent for negotiation — to successfully close deals for his clients.

A Los Angeles native, Liebke has extensive experience when it comes to buying and selling real estate, as well as leasing, renting, and managing properties in some of Los Angeles' finest communities, such as Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Westwood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Venice, among others.

Whether it’s a mid-century modern house, a luxury apartment, or a grand Mediterranean-style mansion that you’re looking for, owning your very own place at Beverly Hills has never been this easy — just ask Joe Liebke.

Joe Liebke's office can be found at 8200 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Book an appointment with Joe Liebke by calling him at 310.658.7400, or by sending him an email at joe(at)theluxgroup(dotted)com.