By DOLLY NIEMANN Special to the Palisadian-Post (Editor’s note: Occasionally, a house with particular historical interest comes on the market in Pacific Palisades. We encourage the owner or the listing agent to alert us and provide a history of the house for consideration in our monthly Real Estate News and Views section. Please send submissions to Bill Bruns: editor@palipost.com. This month we feature a estate that sits on approximately 1.5 acres at 1141 Maroney Ln. (off upper Las Pulgas Road) and is offered at $12 million.) As you approach this gracious Paul Williams-inspired colonial estate in the heart of Pacific Palisades, you are moved by its majestic character and timeless style. Built in 1938, it was first owned by actress Virginia Bruce (who became the town’s first honorary mayor in 1951), and later became the home of Deanna Durbin, who lived there during the height of her film and singing career. You can only imagine the interesting gatherings that were held on these expansive grounds in those days long ago. In 1951, attorney Raoul Magana and his wife Eugenie purchased the property from Durbin, and for the next 56 years the home was filled with fun and laughter, children and grandchildren. The Maganas hosted numerous large gatherings of friends and family through the years, celebrating the beauty, warmth and hospitality of this prized property. This estate sits behind security gates at the end of a quiet cul de sac on approximately 1.5 verdant acres. You feel the serenity as soon as you drive through the iron gates, pass the three-car garage, and approach the circular drive in front of the large arched entry. The rich gardens surround you on all sides and ahead you can just catch site of the babbling brook and koi pond, shaded by a statuesque old magnolia tree. A wandering stone pathway leads you past the pond and by the large swimming pool through the gardens and across a quaint wooden bridge to the ‘orchard’ area of the grounds with its abundant fruit trees and secluded areas for sitting quietly and enjoying the solitude. When you return to the main house, the arched entry welcomes you into the foyer, where you begin to appreciate the rich architectural features of this custom home. There are hand-carved wooden details along the arched stairway, beautiful crown moldings in all the major rooms, warm hardwood floors, wainscoting, arched leaded windows reflecting the coastal light that flows through the home, and many other exceptional details on both the interior and exterior of this fine home. As you stand in the foyer, to your left is the banquet-sized dining room with its own fireplace and leaded bay window looking out on the grounds and pool. The grand living room with its expansive walls of beautiful art is to the right of the foyer and has its own tiled fireplace and French doors leading to the brick patio, grounds and pool deck area. Off the formal living room is the more casual and cozy sun-drenched day room, a favorite spot for morning coffee. Also included on the main floor of the home are the richly paneled library and pub room, a nicely appointed kitchen adjoining the breakfast area and a large family room with its big brick fireplace and grill. A butler’s pantry and maid’s suite are also on the main floor. Upstairs are four large bedrooms and two smaller bedrooms plus a small nursery and a kitchenette. The master bedroom is tastefully appointed with high ceilings, beautiful crown moldings, its own tiled fireplace, his and her cedar-lined closet areas, and a private veranda. Within the walls of this extraordinary home are seven fireplaces, seven bedrooms and five baths (plus two half-baths) in the main house and another studio bedroom, bath and kitchenette in the carriage house. Total square footage is 7,122, on a 66,650-sq.-ft. lot. I’m thankful that this house has retained such wonderful integrity’it has been updated, but hasn’t been spoiled. A virtual photo tour is available at www.PalisadesColonialEstate.com. Shown by appointment only. (Dolly Niemann is a realtor with Prudential California Realty in the 881 Alma Real building. Contact: (310) 230-3706. She has lived in Pacific Palisades since 1971, and has been a realtor for 34 years, originally working for Mary Haizlip.)
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