Why LA’s Most Luxurious Beach Mansion Was Demolished (Marion Davies House)

[@oldmoneymansions]

COMMENT: What’s your opinion on architecture in the Los Angeles area - is it a legendary emblem of Hollywood’s ability to adapt - or is it a tragic case of bulldozing anything that doesn’t “keep with the times”?

[@lemorab1]

I grew up in Los Angeles in the 1950's and watched almost everything good about the place vanish, a casualty of the wrecker's ball, Eminent Domain, and the freeway systems. The place truly is Paradise Lost. I remember when it still was one; fading in the postwar late 1940's, but still there.

[@stevekeithley8409]

Tragic case of bulldozing anything that doesn't keep with the times is what it is. What a terrible shame. To destroy such a great piece of architecture and history to a parking lot?

[@missmartyjackson]

Los Angeles constantly destroys itself. The never-ending quest to pack in more people and extract more property tax. Demolish all the single-family homes and put in hideous boxes. The push for "high-density" living is largely coming from Millennials and under -- they think that's an improvement somehow. I did the tour of the Marion Davies' guest house that remains. Viva Julia Morgan. Boo Hiss Los Angeles overall.

[@tonifox1247]

@@stevekeithley8409 C.

[@CaptDabbs]

its concrete. with a little history in between

[@dhtisme7034]

It's a tragic case of bulldozing anything that doesn't keep up with the times. I've seen so many historical mansions bulldozed recently here on You Tube. So much beautiful history turned into dust. Just terrible.

[@josephforest7605]

Warner Bros Ranch .

[@danielebrparish4271]

I think the utilities, taxes, insurance, maintenance and repair costs would make it very difficult to find a willing buyer. Most people with that amount of income perfer to build their own home to suit their tastes. Renovating such an old structure would also be very expensive. I cringe when I see the mega mansions that celebrities build because when they die very few people have the income to afford to cover the costs of living in one of those homes.

[@dhtisme7034]

@danielebrparish4271 I understand that, but some of these old mansions I would have thought the historical society would step in. I'm not saying all, just some would be worth saving & people could tour it & learn the history of it.

[@jared1870]

Nothing is more depressing than to learn that a significant building was razed for a parking lot.

[@johnpotter8039]

My architect grandfather, Dr. Kurt Meyer Radon, was hired as a consultant to purchase many of the interior furnishings for "The Beach House" as well as for the Wyntoon Estate in Northern California. I visited the guest house building back in the late 1980s as a possible headquarters for my wife's multimedia software company. The guests lived well.

[@jomama5186]

Wow! What an interesting family history !

[@denaspragueful]

I was wondering if any remnants were relocated

[@johnpotter8039]

The front entrance columns were relocated to the Lytton Industries building in Beverly Hills. Lytton was an early high-tech conglomerate is is long defunct.

[@skcyclist]

Fascinating video. I was born in Los Angeles in 1943 and went to Santa Monica Beach often in my youth. It's possible I laid eyes on the original mansion but do not recall. It seems a shame it didn't last longer, but glad to see the guest house and swimming pool remain. I also appreciate videos like this one the document the history and the people enjoying that period of time.

[@drednm]

Thanks for showing clips from a few of Marion Davies' silent films I've produced for DVD: THE BRIDE'S PLAY and LITTLE OLD NEW YORK. She was one of the greats!

[@lemorab1]

This is a very general "tour of duty" about the storied Hearst/Davies beach house, rather than a deep dive. In 1962, I remember the main house still being there, not just a guest house. Decrepit condition, yes, but still there. To get some deep dive stories, you have to read biographies and memoirs of people around at the time. The stories are there.

[@Laura-i2r9r]

It seems to me that lavish homes such as Marin Davies are Demolished if they are not with the times or nobody cares enough to maintain there upkeep and they fall into disrepair or abandonment . Then they are demolished often for frivolous parking lots or worse. It is shameful the sheer number of lovely estates that celebrities of Hollywoods past have been demolished. In the name of “Keeping up with the times “ or no one caring enough to save these historic beauties of architecture.

[@missybaker1608]

Thanks David. for telling me what the architecture truly was. Sorry that the main beachhouse was demolished. Marion Davies and William Randolph Hearst I think truly loved each other. Love San Simeon where the Hearst Castle still stands. What a beautiful home.

Randolph Hearst was an unlovable REPUBLICAN! He was a devious tyrant, and if there was any "love" going on, it was Davies' love for prestige and Hearst's love for lust!

[@DrDoom-uu3cj]

Wonderful video. Ive only seen a couple of pictures of the beach house before. These are outstanding. Thank you!

[@oldmoneymansions]

Glad you like them!

[@cynthismanning6397]

Jealousy. Pure Jealousy. People are assholes. Can you imagine the money that house would be bringing in today? I guarantee there was no family of Marion's to protect it from jealous wrecking balls.

[@katiealdana150]

Agreed👍

[@joannekinnally7530]

It is partly a case of bulldozing but the amount of money it would cost to make sure everything was structurally sound almost 100 years later needs to be considered too. The earthquake is a very big part of it that can’t be left out of what the property has turned into

[@MySpace662]

Beautiful architecture of the past, should be preserved for future generations to get a glimpse of the past.

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[@MrNurserob]

In Los Angeles and surrounding areas, there’s so much history that’s been lost over time. On several of the tours of “homes of the stars” of the golden era of Hollywood, the tour stops in front of a garish, out-of-place, vinyl and plastic monument to ostentatiousness and discusses the beautiful home which used to be there- before it was bought and torn down. There’s so much lost architecture around here which was pretty unique to this area, with many renditions of Spanish Mission revival mixed with American colonial- which were so emblematic of boomtown Los Angeles in the 1920s- that are just memories. Their replacements (if one can really even call them that) are reminiscent of the changes made to the Maitland house in “Beetlejuice”- yet that was supposed to be a parody of what neuveau-riche yuppies viewed as luxury and forced onto an innocent, unsuspecting village… it wasn’t meant to be an example to emulate, yet, somehow, so many gorgeous homes became just that. The municipalities also own some blame for it. They could easily have obtained historic landmark designation for a good number of these buildings, and yet they seemed happy over the years to sell out to the highest bidders- heritage be damned. Fortunately there’s still a decent number of historic places left standing. Hopefully they’ll stay that way.

[@toastnjam7384]

I grew up in South Silver Lake in the 50's and the majority of homes and Apt's there were built in the late 1800's to the 1920's. There were two big Victorians in the neighborhood that were subdivided into Apts torn down to be replaced with Dingbat Apt's.

[@rafaellewis4528]

"They paved paradise..."

[@Pompomgrenade]

I think Los Angeles architecture is pitching a tent wherever you might choose...

[@jomama5186]

What a terrible shame 💔

[@dennismcpeek9630]

The demolition of beautiful homes across the country is a sad state of affairs. Rather than crush these homes, they should find people or groups that would renovate them back to their original glory. Prime example: GREY GARDENS!!

[@susanw-cv8vg]

Unfortunately its the latter. It should have remained as it was. Its not just California its all over America. Destroy the old. I watched a biography of the legendary architect Paul Williams, the first black architect who had a very special talent. His designs were beautiful. He lived in Las Angeles, CA. He designed over 2,000 beautiful homes some for celebrities like Lucille Ball, Frank Sinatra, Barbara Stanwick and so many more. He also designed beautiful buildings and I believe the monorail in Las Vegas. Anyway, as some of the homes he built aged, people died and the properties sold some were torn down because people wanted NEW. Well, eventually some neighbors got together to stop it to keep the original homes as historical landmarks. It was very heartwarming to know so many people wanted to preserve what this brilliant man had designed. He was a visionary and received many awards and acknowledgments. I believe he passed away in 1980. Born around the late 1890's. So they never should have torn it down. People need to appreciate and preserve our nations architectural history to understand our past.

[@judybertagna4527]

Unfortunately, America and Americans don’t appreciate history. That mansion should’ve been given over to the historical society for tours.😊

[@dooksan]

All too often, earthquakes are used as an excuse to tear down historical structures. Canoga Park High School in Los Angeles is a perfect example. Started in 1914 to resemble a roman villa, it was one of the most beautiful high schools in America, but it was torn down after the 1972 earthquake. If this had been a governor's mansion or administration building, there might have been great enthusiasm to rebuild it, but since it was only for high school kids, it was doomed.

[@bristleconepinus2378]

I lived up the beach in those days in the canyon. Used to walk by it often on my way down the beach to the pier to go fishing or Muscle Beach to play on the equipment. this being the mid 50's

[@sunnyhill5119]

Wow. You must have such great memories..... enough to put in a book.

[@jenniferboone4002]

Always so ready to throw away bueatiful old well built history. As a child I watched the beautiful library and courthouse in my hometown of Willmar MN destroyed. That being my first library as a young girl was the most exotic exciting place to go each week with my sister Jurrie. J Boone

[@rebeccapeterson7405]

My Grandfather’s family owned the Gaycliff Hotel on the bluff up above Marion Davie’s mansion. Right around 1956, I was with my Mother on the lawn of the hotel at night. We heard a terrible scream that I’ll never forget the sound of. Turns out a man pushed his wife off the cliff and she died.

[@johnbehneman1546]

ART DECO AND MEDITERRAIN!!!!! WOW!!!! I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT!!!!!

[@susanw-cv8vg]

By the way, thank you for sharing this bit of history with us. Fascinating story and figures.😁

[@dennispatrick4999]

Bobby Kennedy was at the Beach House with Marilyn Monroe the day before she was found dead... Bobby was shuttled up to Santa Barbara that evening. Why?

[@dueroden]

The Beach House was demolished in 1956.

[@dennispatrick4999]

@dueroden The Beach House eventually became the Sand & Sea Beach Club. Once that sat empty and dilapidated for years; it's now A Public Beach Club with the restored Main House facade. Been driving past it for 60 yrs now.

[@loadedfun4764]

My Dad worked for the Annenberg’s when they lived in Philadelphia. Definitely thee Family that the entire Delaware valley knew of. My Dad spilled some green pain on their carpet that wouldn’t come out so he went and dyed the entire carpet. The Annenbergs absolutely Loved the job…. Not sure they picked up on the dye job.

[@missybaker1608]

Oh my THE William Randolph Hurst and Marion Davies THE Beach House was an iconic house full of laughter and jovial atmosphere for the stars. Marion had a wonderful knack for creating the lavious dinners and so honest about her life. That house was an iconic grand house most modern for that area. Love that it was built by a female architect!!! It never should've been demolished just renovated. I'm glad they kept the Marion Davies guest house. But a parking lot? But they needed for people to park as cars became more of the American landscape. The Beach House was so beautiful and iconic. I loved seeing it! Still love Hearsts SAN SIMION. LOOKED LIKE BUILT IN VICTORIAN ERA. We have Victorian Houses here in Evansville, IN built in the 1870's. The oldest building built in 1869 houses a daycare!!!

[@sharksport01]

An iconic daycare.

[@steelman86]

Its HEARST, not Hurst and it's SIMEON not simion...FYI...

[@davidjackson7281]

Not sure what you may have meant but San Simeon is not Victorian Architecture. Julia Morgan designed it influenced in part by California's Mission styles. It's named La Cuesta Encantada. The architecture styles are Spanish Colonial Revival and Mediterranean Revival. Just sharing from wikipedia.

[@kristalsalters1613]

It is sad. America is losing its identity of that ‘distinct American style’ whether it is architecture, automobile design, or a manufacturing powerhouse providing the goods and services by Americans for Americans.

[@HappyChickPea]

Thank you for giving agency to Davies, she was an excellent business person besides all the other claims to her fame. Thank goodness some of the original parts remain, I think Marion would be tickled by folks still enjoying her pool. Hopefully we continue to press for the preservation of historic places.

[@falconm9792]

I like everything that reminds me of America in the twenties, thirties, and forties. It is America’s golden architectural period , Among these things is this mansion , which fortunately still remains, even if its mission has changed

[@user-pinckneysux]

Tragic, but at least there’s a little bit left. Worse that I grew up in Southern California and probably drove by it unaware it was even there now that l’m stuck in Michigan. Never going back to California…🌅

[@missmartyjackson]

I grew up in Michigan and am stuck in California!

[@user-pinckneysux]

@@missmartyjackson so sorry. (how can you afford it? lucky you, sorta)

[@thecaptain4829]

looked like an over done hotel

[@bscottb8]

A gold digger scored big.

[@theresapierce3934]

Well said, Hearst was a complete hypocrite and she was no better than a high class prostitute.

[@Roholi]

@@bscottb8Marion Davies saved Hearst from financial ruin by giving him a million dollars to try to resurrect his businesses, which he did. So who was the gold digger here?

[@davidjackson7281]

@@RoholiThe help from Marion is a great part of the Hearst story.

[@maryharris7985]

Beautiful story now i have to look into the hurst wife and where she lived. Marion was 18 and he was in his early 50 s, i cant see what the attraction was to him, was it really true love or money? I have to dig further. I love something new still everyday. Thank you

[@anniewilkes6011]

Los Angeles county loves tearing stuff down

[@andiincali.4663]

A Julia Morgan?! What is wrong with people?! Could you imagine if they did this in Europe? I know it's Hollywood, no comparison but still there ought to be laws protecting these historical properties. Smh 😒

[@Darrigrande]

It was much luxurios as Pickfair

[@bobjackson4720]

Europe is full of beautiful buildings, mainly because there, there are greater priorities than the ''mighty dollar". Will the USA ever learn....I doubt it.

[@sharksport01]

They probably don't have ridiculous property taxes.

[@milehighkit4725]

You're right! They have destroyed more beautiful buildings in the last hundred years just pisses me off! Things are definitely not looking good for either one of our countries at the present moment.

[@allermenchenaufder]

@@milehighkit4725. Not to mention 21st century architecture is atrocious. 😢

[@barbaraosorio8830]

Don't understand why all the old mansions had to go should have saved all

[@karenabrose4058]

Bad things happened there plus the tunnels. You will hear soon about all this.

[@johnbehneman1546]

JULIA MORGAN ALSO WORKED ON HEARST CASTLE. IF I AM CORRECT.

[@briane3657]

Worked on it? She was the chief architect for W.R. Hearst's "Ranch" !

[@josephpiskac2781]

Seems like a candidate for termites and rot due all the ocean front moisture.

[@briane3657]

California's greatest tradition, unfortunately, is tearing down it's past.

[@eddieandrews3854]

Hollywood consumed itself. Almost none of the fabled buildings were respected enough for their historical value to remain. Seems like it's all Norma Desmond.

[@soniajulie6465]

It's a tragic case of Bulldozing anything to make a buck !!!

[@kanlee9667]

Why tear down a glorious sea side mansion? We needed the parking... I'll think of them (Davies and Hearst) next time I go to Santa Monica Beach.

[@user-pinckneysux]

Wonder what the address on PCH was? What’s there now? Is the land under the sea 🌊 by now?

[@davidjackson7281]

@@user-pinckneysuxYes

[@dennispatrick4999]

​@@user-pinckneysuxIt's now a Public Beach Club.

[@debbiem9218]

This looks like it was a beautiful building in its day. However, in today's society I just can't see it fitting in, firstly how could you afford to keep it up. It's way to large for me to call a home, I know it's a mansion, but sorry folks it's just too big for me!

[@StellaMartinez-th4pe]

People don't can't live that way anymore. Society has been demolished first and the buildings reflect the society. You cannot have one without the other. Only museums now.

[@robertlyman9789]

Blame it on Newsom

[@johnbehneman1546]

IN ALL FIFTY STATES!!!!

[@alexanderastafyev3615]

Morgan!!!

[@Hihoweryew]

It was bulldozed for several reasons, in my opinion. The murder of Thomas Ince by Hearst, the giving away of two of their biological children, and employing Fatty Arbuckle ( Hearst employed jim) after he raped a girl at a party. They want Hearst and his house and his hoockie memories out of there

[@drednm]

I don't see any sign of "art deco" in this place

[@davidjackson7281]

Yes thinking the same.

[@kelliesuepetersartist6263]

Los Angeles eats its culture.

[@v1-vr-rotatev2-vy_vx31]

Russia beautifully,restoresbuildings from 1700s and 1800s 1900s for practical use, with night colored arch way lighting, The subways are amazing and clean with statues and updated with swipe touch map screens, USB charging every at every seat....

[@kristinaloncar3920]

Why LA don't like your's old buildings?

[@ittonohara5327]

Unfortunately we learn not how much it did cost to run that beach house, and how it was financed. The biggest place the two did inhabit, the Hearst enchanted hill castle at St. Simeon belonged not to Hearst, but his company. Therefore it might have been very likely, that he did not pay the whole amount of money, that it did cost to run the place at the time. About 80 Million Dollars of todays money that did cost a year. 170`000 Dollars a day of todays money. And this was not the only large mansion he did inhabit. California did keep that one. But do not say, how much it costs to run the place. Just to keep on restoring it. Because many people would be enraged. Hearst did not pay taxes either, so a lot of money spared to give some donations celebrated as becon of welfare. One in four Americans did consume Hearst Media at the time. Hearst and Marion Davies have been two scumbags.

[@deborahmartin1450]

What a shame. Historical homes and buildings demolished for high rises and parking lots.

[@katiealdana150]

Simply sad 👎

[@davidcross701]

Well, Santa Monica didn't destroy it all. That's good.

[@you2angel1]

Oh this was delightful. I had no idea she was such a woman. Truly a role model in many respects °~•.☆.•~°

[@littlebrookreader949]

For a xxxx parking lot. Why not use it for something worthy of its value? Not exactly brilliant, was it? 😂😂😂

[@haroldbirge6881]

🍀Got R Done😎✌️

[@CareBear-og6pe]

The State of Ca purchased. Do you mean the tax payers? It thrived during the Great Depression. That tells you all you need to know. She helped ppl in the film industry, only?

[@allisonlew4508]

No, she helped all kinds of people, especially children (e.g., UCLA Marion Davies Children's Hospital, built w/her $2Million donation.