Hollywood Hindsight

What’s up, friends?

Britney Spears used to live in today’s home. But not anymore.

She believe that the house was haunted and that spirits would “push her down the stairs”. On top of that, in 2009, actress Brittany Murphy and her husband died in the home due to illness.

Read more about that here.

So, clearly, something has to be up with this home. Maybe it was something in the design of the home that brought her to that conclusion? Let’s inspect it for ourselves…

First, though, did you notice the hottub looks like a black casket? 

Is it sleek? Yes. Offputting given the home’s history? Even moreso.

I assume the solar panels were a more recent addition. Hopefully, they help absorb the sunlight and reflect negative energy for the new owners.

When you first enter, the angular shadows and candlelight-esque sconces are giving a grim vibe.

This grand floating ceiling gives me the feeling of impending doom -like the architect knew this place was destined for tragedy.

You can tell that this home’s selling point hinges on its grand view of Los Angeles. The pool isn’t just a regular in-ground pool, it’s an “infinity” pool for the view. The dining table is next to floor-to-ceiling windows for the view. Those windows even fully move away to enhance the view.

Maybe it’s the nature that makes this eerie. A beautiful wide outdoor space, but interrupts the natural flow of greenery that surround it.

Upstairs in the primary bedroom, the same themes are echoed. 

It’s crazy to think about the A-listers who have possibly come through this bedroom -underneath another impending-doom ceiling. Oh yeah, and the view.

Once again, we’ve found ourselves at a home with a deeply saddening past -that also has no disclosure to the deaths that occured in the home. Yes, there are plenty of true crime and tabloid websites that have recently covered the home… but it still feels eerie.

And that hypnotizing painting gives too many negative vibes to help.

In terms of other amenities, this home offers an office, gym, with 6 bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms.

Also, a home theater that probably dampens sound well, but it looks like a panic room met an insane aslym’s padded walls.

Set in this beautiful wooden hallway, is a framed portrait of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. Here, it’s a beautiful omage to Hollywood’s past.

But you can prominently see it from the outside as well. Something about this view recontextualizes it for me; Not only does it feel like an invasion of privacy, but knowing the exploitative past that Marlyin endured, now makes it feel eerie all the same.

Is this home a feat of architectural design? Absolutely. That explains why the realtor says that “This estate isn’t just a home; it’s a lifestyle.”

To that, I would ask: What kind of lifestyle? One that ignores history? Or proudly parades it around? They are selling a dream, in a place of literal nightmares.

But, unfortunately, there’s no easy in-between, and the world must keep spinning.

See you next week,

Sarah @Homes.tastrophes

If you want to learn more about Hollywood Hills West, or any other neighborhood, check out the neighborhoods feature on Homes.com.