Why Elizabeth Taylor's Bel Air Mansion Is Getting Demolished

A local Hollywood mega-developer has cast his gaze upon Elizabeth Taylor's Bel Air mansion, wishing to demolish it to make way for a modern monolith.

As the shadow of bulldozers looms, the fate of Elizabeth Taylor’s favorite home hangs in a delicate balance, threatening to erase a piece of Hollywood history forever

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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
1:55 Chapter 1: Bel Air Before Elizabeth
5:31 Chapter 2: Buying The Property
7:41 Chapter 3: Tour of the Interiors
11:00 Chapter 4: The Exteriors
13:32 Chapter 5: Sale and the Future

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At the start of 1982, Elizabeth Taylor buys a grand mansion in Bel Air at 700 Nimes Road, a home that will become her sanctuary against past stresses and a place for new beginnings.

Today, the mansion remains an iconic symbol of Hollywood grandeur.

However, a storm brews as a Hollywood mega-developer eyes the property for demolition to build a modern structure.

The fate of Taylor’s beloved home hangs in the balance, threatening to erase a piece of Hollywood history.

In 1960, a California Ranch-style house was built on 700 Nimes Road.

Initially owned by Nancy Sinatra, the property was later transformed by a developer who added a grand second story.

Elizabeth Taylor purchased the mansion in February 1982 for 2 million dollars, equivalent to about 6.3 million dollars today.

By acquiring this residence, Taylor embedded herself in Bel Air, known for its exclusivity and wealth.

Bel Air, along with Beverly Hills and Holmby Hills, forms the "Platinum Triangle"—a coveted area among the city's elite.

Taylor’s purchase of 700 Nimes Road marked a significant transition in her life.

After a successful stage comeback in 1982, this seven-thousand-square-foot ranch-style home became her main residence until her death in 2011.

The estate, spanning 1.27 acres, featured six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and grounds including a bricked motor court, a turquoise pool, a koi pond, and an English rose garden.

Despite the idyllic setting, Taylor's personal life faced challenges, including a battle with depression and substance abuse. This period led her to a significant stay at the Betty Ford Center in 1983, marking the beginning of her recovery journey.

Taylor's mansion, designed by Waldo Fernandez, was a blend of elegance and personal expression.

In 1984, Fernandez transformed the interiors with white carpets and decorated the walls with Impressionist art, reflecting Taylor’s personal tastes.

Her gardens, filled with roses, inspired her perfume line and the décor’s palette echoed her violet eyes. Among the home’s treasures was a Vincent van Gogh painting, which sold for nearly 16 million dollars in 2012, showcasing the prestige of her collection.

Despite its grandeur, the mansion was designed to be welcoming.

Taylor’s home, filled with works by renowned artists and personal items, created a warm, inviting atmosphere contrasting her glamorous public image.

Her residence also accommodated her children, grandchildren, and pets, embodying a cherished, lively environment.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Bel Air gardens often featured ostentatious displays of luxury.

Taylor’s garden, however, was uniquely designed by Nicholas Walker to reflect her British roots with an English herbaceous border.

Unlike the typical high-maintenance gardens, Taylor’s space was a living, evolving area for family gatherings and celebrations.

By the early 1990s, Taylor’s career had shifted to television and philanthropy, particularly in AIDS awareness.

Despite moving away from the limelight, her personal life continued to attract interest. Taylor’s home, captured by photographer Catherine Opie in 2010, highlighted her eclectic tastes and personal world.

Following her death in 2011, the Bel Air mansion was sold for 8.6 million dollars to Rocky Malhotra, who preserved its integrity.

However, subsequent plans to demolish the mansion for a new development sparked concern among fans and preservationists, emphasizing the need to preserve Taylor’s historical legacy.