This Spanish Revival at 2400 Outpost Drive features 3 beds & 3 baths in 1,925 sq. ft. and a string of creative former residents who have lived the Hollywood dream here.
C.E. Toberman pictured at his original real estate office in early Hollywood. Photo Credit: Free Enterprise: Foundation of America’s Greatness A Biography of Charles E. Toberman, Grace Koopal
Outpost Estates – said to be one of the most carefully planned subdivisions in the country was a crowning achievement of Charles Edward Toberman (1880-1981) who was a significant banker and developer of Los Angeles’ Hollywood neighborhoods.
1927 Grand Opening of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Photo courtesy: waterandpower.org
Toberman led or assisted in the development of many landmarks in Hollywood, including Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre (1922), Hollywood’s Roosevelt Hotel (1926-1927), Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (1927) and the Hollywood Bowl (1929). That Toberman built nearly all the major buildings that still remain from Hollywood’s Golden Age is a testament to his vision.
Over the next twenty years, Mr. Toberman oversaw the ultimate development of the Outpost Estates, a planned community which he regarded as his supreme achievement in the more than fifty-three subdivision he developed in Hollywood… He had a vision of a planned residential community, a “jewel in the hills” and was determined to develop his dream.- Courtesy: outpostestates.com
Outpost Estates became a “one of the most exclusive and beautiful residential parks in the world,” and home to prominent stars such as Bela Lugosi. Palatial homes continued to be built throughout the Depression years for top stars of the day. Outpost Estates also happens to be where Toberman had his own home built in the Spanish Colonial Style. Toberman hired architects Russell & Alpaugh to design his home for his burgeoning family. Read more about the Toberman estate on our 1847 Camino Palmero Blog.
1847 Camino Palmero, was built on two acres in Outpost Estates. The Toberman estate includes a 19-room, just under 10,000 square-foot main house, with a 30×50 foot indoor pool, and a 1,800-square-foot guest apartment and garage. Toberman, who lived to be 101 years old, recalled in a 1981 interview that the estate became “practically a country club” with its enclosed swimming pool, tennis courts, a nine-hole pitch-and-putt golf course, and formal gardens.
The completion of his family home in 1924 marked one of Toberman’s most significant personal achievements.
Developer Toberman once reflected that it was the awesome publicity generated by Hollywood–not the climate or the sea–that was behind the remarkable development of Southern California.
Several creative people have lived in this spacious Spanish Revival at 2400 Outpost Drive.
Mystery writer, James Ziskin and his wife, Lakshmi have lived at 2400 Outpost for 12 years. They were attracted to the quiet escape of the canyons.
I remember winding up the residential street wondering ‘How does this exist just minutes from Hollywood?’ – James Ziskin.
Built in 1941, 2400 Outpost Drive has enjoyed decades of peaceful existence. Casement windows, wood floors, tiled hearth, many of the original architectural features remain in this classically-appointed home. A large spacious formal living room with fireplace opens up to the backyard terraces.
James has been writing full time for the last couple of years. Sunday afternoons at 2400 Outpost included a ritual of sitting on the back patio with a book. At night, say the Ziskins, it’s like the countryside.
“I particularly enjoyed the living room with the great old bookcase and a comfortable leather chair. It’s a nice spot. I set up a lamp and I called it my nook.” – James Ziskin
We’ve got a canyon view. It’s wooded and pretty. Our back patio is very private and a wonderful place to recharge.
Three of James’ books in his Ellie Stone mystery series have been written at 2400 Outpost.
Image courtesy: James Ziskin
James will be releasing the 5th in the series next year. According to James, the latest installment was very much inspired from living in the Hollywood hills.
Beautifully terraced and landscaped to fully appreciate the peace and serenity of this classic home.
Award-winning composer, Randy Edelman and singer songwriter hall of famer, Jackie DeShannon lived at 2400 Outpost beginning in the 1970’s.
BMI.com
One would have to believe the power couple made beautiful music together here. DeShannon is known as one of the first successful female singer/songwriters to hit the rock and pop music scene back in the ’60s credited with such hits as: When You Walk In The Room and Come And Stay With Me. She earned a million-seller in 1969 with Put A Little Love In Your Heart, written with Randy Myers and Jimmy Holiday. DeShannon won a Grammy for Song of the Year in 1982 for Bette Davis Eyes with writing partner Donna Weiss.
Randy Edelman composed the scores to several television and film productions including Ghostbusters II, Twins and Kindergarten Cop. He also contributed to Beethoven, The Last of the Mohicans, The Mask, Daylight, Anaconda, XXX, Gettysburg, and My Cousin Vinny.
Saltillo tiles warm this California cook’s kitchen with chef’s range and plenty of counter space and storage to work culinary magic.
Two spacious bedrooms are located on the main level with well appointed & remodeled bathrooms.
A cozy den floods with natural light. A separate office or bedroom downstairs with its own bath is perfect for a home office or guest room.
Other creative residents of 2400 Outpost were Martin Tahse who produced numerous ABC Afterschool Specials as well as similar content at other networks, And artist Andre C. Anastasion, known for oil paintings, was one of the earlier residents of 2400 Outpost.
While a peaceful enclave, the Ziskins noted that many tour buses frequent the leafy hillside streets of Outpost Estates hoping to catch a glimpse of movie stars’ homes.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, fans need to lace up their hiking boots to spot celebs at nearby Runyon Canyon:
“Nobody famous eats at The Ivy anymore. The Polo Lounge isn’t the celebrity magnet it used to be, either. No, if you want to spy stars and other industry hotshots in public these days, you have to take a hike in Runyon Canyon, arguably the best spot in town for encountering the rich and renowned (and stepping in their dogs’ poop).
“For a while, you would see Charlize Theron and her son here a lot, entering from Mulholland Drive,” says one Runyon regular. Another frequent visitor recently spotted CAA partner Bryan Lourd at the park, “looking pensive.” Natalie Portman, Orlando Bloom, Justin Bieber, Channing Tatum, Kathy Griffin, Alexander Skarsgardand Elle Macpherson are all Runyon fans. Amanda Seyfried lives next door, as does Fifty Shades of Greydirector Sam Taylor-Johnson and Six Feet Under creator Alan Ball. Until recently, Matthew McConaughey also owned a home nearby — and could frequently be seen strolling through the park (shirtless, naturally).” The Hollywood Reporter: Why Hiking Runyon Canyon Is the Best Way to See the Stars
Photo courtesy: kcet.org
The ridge of Runyon Canyon’s easternmost trail is a walk up from 2400 Outpost Drive and one never needs to find parking to enjoy the sunset.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.