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56 | Homes & Estates
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
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
Beverly Hills’
French Chateau
BY SAMANTHA MYERS
MAISON 613 SETS A NEW STANDARD OF LUXURY AND ELEGANCE IN THE GOLDEN FLATS.
WEST COAST SPOTLIGHT