Homes & Estates

WEST COAST SPOTLIGHT

Beverly Hills’

French Chateau

MAISON 613 SETS A NEW STANDARD OF LUXURY AND ELEGANCE IN THE GOLDEN FLATS.

BY SAMANTHA MYERS

S et in the prestigious “Golden Flats,” one of the best-situated neighborhoods in Beverly Hills on the south side of Sunset Boulevard is “Maison 613,” a French chateau-style home that paints immersive luxury with design elegance. When it comes to Beverly Hills real estate, it’s all about the Flats now — an area that has skyrocketed into multiple-acre price points and where some of the most expensive homes are offered. Yet, nothing compares to this French-infused California residence, which aspires to culminate in one of the most expensive sales in the Golden Flats. Although recently completed at the end of 2016, “Maison 613” already offers a dense history of creation. The home was born from the collaborative vision of the late Norbert Gehr, successful business- man and founder/CEO of the Los Angeles-based

The Gehr Group, and famed designer Roy Sklarin, who became involved with the project 19 years ago, after Gehr purchased the property. At the time, the property housed a 1920s Beverly Hills original, but now, a 21,000-square-foot-plus French beacon stuns on one of the deepest lots in the neighborhood. “Part of the attraction of the property for Mr. Gehr, to whom I sold the property originally in 1998, is its security and walkability,” says Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage listing agent Ron de Salvo. “People love the Flats because it’s south of Sunset Boulevard so you don’t have to cross the busy road and it’s family orientated — there are beautiful school systems.” Consumed with his business holdings, Gehr sat on the property for years, until finally coming to Sklarin ready to begin building the home. “He kept saying to

me, ‘My main concern is quality, quality, quality,’” recalls Sklarin. “He wanted the ultimate, perfect house.” So concerned with perfection, Gehr sent Sklarin on a trip to Europe where he climbed the mountains of Turkey to seek out limestone samples for flooring. Then, Sklarin studied French architecture firsthand in Paris, returning home with detailed observations and ideas. “The home is true French Chateau. On the out- side, especially, the home is true to French design and detailing. The inside is not antique French, but it’s a comfortable, warm interpretation of a beautiful French home with updated American qualities,” says Sklarin. “It has an excitement and presence that you don’t find easily. Not only does it have architectural value, but it encompasses all the features that everyone would want in a home — all of the amenities.” Behind the elegant facade, onemay be surprised

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