Douglas Elliman
A new-construction, steel-framed Los Angeles home built to withstand fires has listed for $8 million.
The seller is Marc Cherry, the TV writer and producer whose credits include “Desperate Housewives,” the hit ABC show that inspired the “Real Housewives” franchise.
“Our show came out, and they capitalized on that. And you know what? That’s the capitalistic system,” Cherry said in a recent interview “I certainly envy the good folks who produce that show because it’s a train that keeps on chugging. So good for them.”
The Toluca Lake home is at 10349 Woodbridge, by the Lakeside Golf Club.
“I can’t say it’s ‘fireproof,’ as nothing is 100%, but great time and expense was put into making it as fire-safe as possible,” said architect Daniel Cordova, founder of Cordova Studio.
“It’s framed using steel throughout the entire home — no wood framing studs were used. The exterior of the home is clad in stone and has no attic vents or crawlspace vents, which makes it highly resistant to wildfire embers. It’s also equipped with a whole-home fire sprinkler system,” Cordova added.
The 7,451-square-foot residence comes with six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. Three stories high, it all opens to a spiral staircase, a Bocci chandelier and white oak floors.
There’s also a large living room with a fireplace and floor-to-ceiling accordion windows that lead to the dining room and a chef’s kitchen.
“My original intent was to build a home for my mother in my neighborhood so I could visit her more frequently. Sadly, she died before it was finished. I now hope to sell it to someone who understands how much love and care went into its construction,” Cherry told Gimme Shelter.
The main bedroom comes with an ensuite bath and a walk-in closet. In addition, there’s almost 1,000 square feet of outdoor space over multiple balconies. Downstairs features an in-law suite with a private entrance, a kitchenette and a laundry room.
Outside, there’s decking, “drought-tolerant” landscaping, outdoor speakers and a firepit. A smart-wired system deals with audio, security and temperature, while another system deals with lighting. There’s also a 300-gallon underground cistern that uses rainwater for irrigation and to fight fires if need be; a sprinkler system was installed throughout the entire interior.
“Toluca Lake boasts a deep-rooted history in the arts and entertainment industry, and its proximity to nearby movie studios makes it ideal for the next owner,” said Douglas Elliman broker Rick Tyberg, who shares the listing with Elliman’s Lauren Duffy.