House Design

Tour an 'Academy Award-Winning' home – the house from La La Land, Beaches, and more

The silver-screen-approved home is currently on the market for nearly $8.5 million

la la land house
(Image credit: Nils Timm courtesy of Compass)

Amid the palm-lined streets of South Arroyo, Pasadena, a grand Tudor Revival-style mansion showcases a bygone era. It is, therefore, unsurprising that directors across this century and last have chosen the property as the backdrop for countless films throughout the decades. 

See: World's best homes – explore the most spectacular houses across the globe

Located at 880 La Loma, the estate was used as a backdrop in the six-time Academy Award-winning film La La Land and the 1988 film Beaches.

La La Land house

(Image credit: Nils Timm courtesy of Compass)

Further to these Hollywood blockbusters, the estate was used in 1987 for Who's That Girl and frequently blessed television screens in Mad Men, Parks and Recreation, and the iconic detective series Columbo. A full complete list of the property's filmography can be found here.

La La Land house

(Image credit: Nils Timm courtesy of Compass)

The stately English Tudor Revival style home was constructed in 1920 by architects Sylvanus Boardman Marson and Garrett Van Pelt, who are celebrated for their signature traditional properties in the Pasadena area. All 7,479 square feet of the chandelier-filled kingdom pays homage to its glamorous heritage – through its eight elegant bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and grand wooden-kissed kitchen. 

See: Kitchen ideas – decor and decorating ideas for all kitchens 

La La Land house

(Image credit: Nils Timm courtesy of Compass)

Notable features include a spacious gym, a child's playroom, and a media room because this is Academy-approved, after all. There is also an ornate statement sweeping staircase running through the heart of the property. Meanwhile, remnants of a previous century live on in its stained glass windows and feature fireplace mantlepieces.  

See: Living room ideas – clever ways to decorate living spaces

La La Land house

(Image credit: Nils Timm courtesy of Compass)

The garden, which served as the setting of Laura and Harry's engagement party in La La Land, is equally as elegant, with its emerald swimming pool, verdant lawn, and stylish secret sidebar concealed in the garage.

La La Land house

(Image credit: Nils Timm courtesy of Compass)

The 1.96-acre estate is currently listed for $8,495,000 with Sally Forster Jones & Joshua Smith of Compass. In their discussion of the home, Joshua praised the timeless aesthetic of the architectural splendor, sharing: 'Although I appreciate some of the new construction in and around Los Angeles, our city, and especially Pasadena has such a storied past with significant architecture.'

La La Land house

(Image credit: Nils Timm courtesy of Compass)

He continues: 'From the California Craftsman to mid-century or Spanish style homes, that classic architecture will always be timeless and resonate with buyers. A world-class property like this with such a rich history would be something you would expect to find on the East Coast. That is something that will resonate with the national and international buyers coming to our city.'

'Although significant Architectural Properties will always have an audience, lately we may be seeing a bit of a backlash to so much similarity in the newer construction. That opens up a whole new audience with unique properties like this one. Especially with magnificent grounds,' Joshua adds. 

La La Land house

(Image credit: Nils Timm courtesy of Compass)

See: Design house: inside the historical LA house that featured in 'The Godfather'

'The incredible grounds and compound-like nature of the estate. With rolling lawns, soaring trees, patios, gardens, and stunning pools, you have everything you need from the privacy & comfort of your home. Unlike many homes on the market, 880 La Loma is rich in history. You feel the soul and character through every feature. It's a prominent, world-class property which will appeal to discerning buyers,' says Sally.

Next time you're indulging in a Hollywood classic, look out for the splendor of this age-old masterpiece. 

Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.