A home in Los Angeles, which was once owned by Gene Wilder and later by Elon Musk, is now on the market for $12.95 million. Overlooking the Bel-Air Country Club, the white-shingle house was built in 1951 by renowned architect Robert Byrd and is described as a “piece of Hollywood history” in the listing by Drew Meyers of Westside Estate Agency, who introduced the property on Tuesday.
Gene Wilder, best known for his role as Willy Wonka in the 1971 film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” purchased the Bel-Air home for approximately $300,000 in 1976. According to PropertyShark records, he sold it in 2007 for just over $2.7 million.
A few years later, in 2013, Elon Musk purchased the property for $6.75 million, adding it to his extensive real estate portfolio in the city.
However, in a shift of perspective, Musk announced in 2020 on X (formerly Twitter) that he intended to sell all his physical possessions, including this home and several others in the city, and own no houses. He also stipulated that the Bel-Air house should be preserved and not lose its character.
Musk sold the house later that same year to Jordan Walker-Pearlman, Gene Wilder’s nephew, and his wife, Elizabeth Hunter, for $7 million, according to records.
The billionaire, through an LLC, provided the couple with a $6.7 million loan for the purchase, property records reveal. However, Walker-Pearlman has since fallen behind on payments, leading to a notice of default being issued in July, marking the initial step in the foreclosure process.
Meyers declined to comment on the default, and Walker-Pearlman did not provide a comment through the agent. A representative for Musk could not be reached for immediate comment.
Walker-Pearlman and Hunter are cooperating with Musk and are “at peace” with his decision to foreclose, Walker-Pearlman told The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the listing on Tuesday.
Echoing Musk’s sentiments, Meyers noted that “the seller would love [the house] to remain true to its roots.” He described it as “the last of the Mohicans,” emphasizing its unique and remarkable vibe that makes such properties rare.
Covering over 2,700 square feet, the “timeless” home “sits directly on the golf course, on nearly an acre, which is quite extraordinary,” Meyers added.
The listing highlights original wood-beamed ceilings, cozy fireplaces, and an open layout. The property’s centerpiece is its circular bar area, complemented by a gourmet kitchen, four bedrooms, and expansive views.
Outside, the house features multiple seating areas, manicured gardens, and a kidney-shaped pool.