Billionaire sells Bob Hope’s Toluca Lake estate near Hollywood for $26M. Check it out

Billionaire supermarket mogul Ron Burkle has sold a beautifully restored Los Angeles home — where late comedian Bob Hope lived for years — for $26 million, making the deal one of the most expensive residential sales in the San Fernando Valley, according to The Agency real estate firm.

The eight-bedroom, 15,000-square-foot home is located in the Toluca Lake neighborhood, about 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

The Agency did not disclose any information about the buyer. Burkle listed the property for $29 million in May 2022, the Sacramento Bee reported. The deal closed March 10, 2023.

“The sale was top 3 all-time for the San Fernando Valley and highest sale ever in Toluca Lake,” a representative of The Agency said in an email.

Burkle bought the five-acre property for $15 million in 2018. The restoration kept the original design of Hope’s wood-paneled office and the single-hole golf course in the back yard.

Entertaining Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra

The residence glistens with wide-plank white oak hardwood floors, glass walls, a saltwater pool with lounge areas, lush landscaping, a tennis court and a large barbecue kitchen. The comedian designed the one-hole, three-par golf course himself.

Bob and Delores Hope entertained celebrities such as Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra at the estate after buying the property in 1939. They acquired more surrounding acres over the years. Now, the five-acre parcel is one of the largest single-home properties in Los Angeles.

“Bob Hope to this day is the most iconic resident Toluca Lake has ever had,” listing agent Kevin Dees of The Agency told the Sacramento Bee in an email when the property first hit the market. “My favorite feature of the property is the legendary par-3 golf hole that Mr. Hope designed himself. The Toluca Lake property was the Hope family’s primary residence for decades. Countless dignitaries from around the world including U.S. presidents have visited the estate. I believe this property stands firmly at the top of Mr. Hope’s legacy.”

John Elgin Woolf, known as the father of Hollywood Regency style, preserved the architectural elements of the main home.

An open living area is highlighted by a stone-clad fireplace — one of six fireplaces in the home — and leads to a large dining area that can accommodate large dinner parties.

The redone outdoors space is like an private oasis with stunning landscape designed by Art Luna. The grounds contain tall, mature trees and stone accents with views of the mountains. There is a large outdoor kitchen, as well.

Other features include:

▪ A home theater

▪ Gym with a steam and infrared sauna.

▪ Four-car garage and motor court,

▪ An ancillary structure containing a tennis pavilion

▪ Commercial kitchen

▪ Conference room

▪ The original walk-in fireproof safe

Burkle made his fortune buying and selling supermarket chains such as Ralphs, Fred Meyer Inc. and Food4Less. He pulled out as majority owner of an MLS expansion team in Sacramento in 2021, stunning the Sacramento Republic football club and the city.