BEVERLY HILLS—Australian-American business Magnate Rupert Murdoch recently sold his Beverly Hills estate to his youngest son, James Murdoch.
James, a British citizen by birth and a naturalized US citizen, is the chief operating officer of 21st Century Fox. He is married to Kathryn Murdoch Hufschmid with whom he has three children. They currently live in New York, but are planning to spend more time in Los Angeles due to James’ broadened responsibilities at Fox.
Wallace Neff, a renowned architect who played a key role in developing the “California” style, designed the estate, which is located at 1330 Angelo Drive, in 1926. The original occupant, for whom the property was built, was silent-film director Fred Niblo and singer actress Enid Bennett.
Property records reveal that Rupert Murdoch purchased the estate in 2004 for $13 million.
Despite the historical value, James has commissioned contactors and interior designers for some minor touch-ups. The estate was renovated once before in 1950.
Wallace named the semi-circular, 6,651-square-foot property “Misty Mountain,” and it includes 11 bedrooms and nine bathrooms. It is comprised on three parcels that encompass 4.4 acres.
Around the same time Rupert Murdoch purchased “Misty Mountain,” he also acquired the Moraga Estate in Bel Air, which was previously owned by Thomas V. Jones, Chief Executive of the Northrop Corporation. The Mediterranean revival-style Moraga Estate has 7,500 square feet of living space and is known for its sixteen-acre vineyard and winery.
Wines from the Estate are served at various local restaurants including the Bel Air Bar and Grill, Bel-Air Country Club, The Beverly Hills Hotel, Patina, Spago, and Morton’ Steakhouse.
