Business & Finance

Historic Hollywood Hills Estate Sold for $6.325 Million After Designer Renovation

By TOI Real Estate Desk

A 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival home at 1851 Outpost Drive in the Hollywood Hills, once owned by ‘The Price Is Right’ host Bob Barker, was purchased by London‑based interior designer Julia Dempster in April 2024 for $3.874 million, according to Mansion Global. Dempster’s extensive renovation preserved original architectural details—such as stained‑glass windows, wrought‑iron balustrades, antique light fixtures and a frescoed ceiling—while modernising key areas, including bathrooms, the clay‑tile roof and interior finishes. The 5,906‑square‑foot property, which features five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a family room with fireplace, office, granite‑counter kitchen, indoor laundry, multiple patios and a primary suite with walk‑in closet, was listed for sale again in June 2025 at $8.195 million before the asking price was reduced to $7.798 million. It ultimately sold on April 30 2026 for $6.325 million, a price reported by public records and real‑estate listings. The buyer was identified as video‑game executive and magician Randy Pitchford, who also owns Los Angeles’ historic Magic Castle. The sale reflects the value added by a sensitive restoration that maintained the house’s historic character while updating it for contemporary living. The property’s history includes ownership by Los Angeles Times publisher General Harrison Gray Otis and developer Charles E. Toberman, and it sits on a site described as Hollywood’s original adobe home. Bob Barker purchased the house in 1969 and lived there for more than five decades until his death in August 2023, shortly before his 100th birthday. The transaction demonstrates how historic provenance, careful renovation and strategic pricing can combine to achieve a strong market outcome for a landmark Los Angeles home.