Nothing epitomizes old Hollywood glamour quite like a celebrity-linked estate in Los Angeles. This Spanish-style home in the Hollywood Hills, built in 1927, has a storied past, having been the residence of Oscar-nominated actress Ava Gardner, cinema icon Laurence Olivier, and even English comedian Stan Laurel. Currently listed for rent at $18,500 per month with Hilton & Hyland and Forbes Global Properties, 3351 N Knoll Drive offers a touch of Hollywood history.
Designed by Swiss-born architect Franz Herding, who moved to Los Angeles in 1923 and worked as a city planning engineer until his death in 1968, the property spans 5,839 square feet with five bedrooms and six bathrooms. Herding and his family lived next door at 3355 N Knoll Drive. Nestled in the Hollywood Knolls neighborhood near Lake Hollywood, the estate skillfully integrates indoor and outdoor spaces, with a broad, curvilinear terrace offering 180-degree views of the neighborhood and terraced gardens featuring hedge-lined pathways and grassy areas.
The multi-story residence is rich in period details, including a speakeasy-style butler’s bar with a wine cellar. Traditional Spanish elements such as wood-beamed ceilings, polished hardwood floors, casement windows, and terracotta tile accents enhance its charm. The airy fireside living room offers leafy views, while the formal dining room opens to an expansive elevated terrace, perfect for outdoor entertaining. Upstairs, the primary suite includes a massive walk-in closet, a sitting area, and a private terrace.
The Hollywood Hills remains a highly coveted area for celebrities, celebrated for its dramatic views and unique homes. Recently, Russell Brand, known for Get Him to the Greek, listed his Outpost Estates home, which was once a castle-like property owned by Olivier. Similarly, a residence formerly owned by Orlando Bloom hit the market in the same area for $5 million.
