2511 Carman Crest Drive

With its airy open floor plan, high ceilings, walls of glass, and the whole of Los Angeles in its backyard, 2511 Carman Crest Drive has a flair for the dramatic. Of course it does—that’s its legacy.

One of the oldest and most historic areas in the Hollywood Hills, the Outpost Estates has long been a favorite of the rich and famous. Over the years, many Hollywood movie stars have called it home—Claudette Colbert, Bette Davis, Bella Lugosi, and Dolores del Rio to name just a few.

Outpost Estates in the 1920s

Outpost Estates today

That tradition continues today with stars like Charlize Theron,

Scarlet Johansson, Orlando Bloom,

William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman and many, many more who have found privacy and tranquilly in those same hills.

Nestled in a sleepy cul-de-sac with the hiking trails of Runyon Canyon just steps away, the home also offers Zen-like views of the city, and an architectural style that has morphed from its mid-century modern origins in 1955 to a riff on the best elements of contemporary homes of today.

Developed by Maxim Cherniavskyi (also known as Max LA), the home showcases Cherniavskyi’s keen ability to mix the traditional exterior with contemporary exteriors. He fully rebuilt the compound redesigned by California architect Robert Byrd in the 1980s bringing Byrd’s creation into the now.

Most of Robert Byrd’s homes were built in the 1920s through the 1950s and they were—and continue to be—popular with celebrities. Byrd was a pioneer of indoor-outdoor architectural style.

Robert Byrd home in Encino formerly owned by Ron Howard

Byrd’s homes are characterized by their beamed ceilings; elegant curves; beautiful stone, brick, and woodwork, and exceptional craftsmanship. Many contain dramatic great rooms with cathedral ceilings and bars.

Robert Byrd home in Encino owned by Tom Petty Images courtesy of Prudential California Realty

Byrd’s influence can be seen in the beautiful wood exteriors and cantilever design of 2511 Carman Crest Drive.

As you move through the house, the natural flow of the living spaces transport you. The kitchen, dining, and living room areas span nearly the entire downstairs. The open space has ash hardwood floors, floor to ceiling windows, and a killer view of Hollywood and West L.A. And on clear days you can even see the Pacific Ocean.

The house is run with smart home technology and the kitchen is fully modernized with high-end appliances.

All the bedrooms are on the second floor and all have skyline views.

The master seems to float in the trees. Open and airy it has a private balcony, a spa-like master bath, and huge walk-in closet.

Light also fills the guest bedrooms and the simplicity of the spaces creates a feeling of peace and serenity.

Back outside, the skyline of downtown L.A. shimmers in the east.

And when the sun goes down the magic carpet of L.A. unfolds below.

And the night sky comes alive with twinkling lights, the scent of jasmine fills the air, and the crickets start their evening serenade. The skyline may be new but the peace and serenity of this mountain top aerie is timeless.