Located in Hollywood’s Outpost Estate’s neighborhood, Bob Barker’s home was previously owned by the polo playing wildcatter Russell Havenstrite (1896-1958) and his wife, Edith. Born in Oklahoma, Havenstrite would arrive in Signal Hill during the 1920s to strike oil before heading to Alaska in 1932 and returning to Southern California to drill in Newhall.
Together with his wife, Edith, Havenstrite owned the Fine Arts Building in downtown Los Angeles, an Italian Renaissance Revival style building located at 811 West 7th Street designed by Walker & Eisen. The building’s penthouse served as their downtown social space, and Havenstrite, an accomplished polo player, would found the Beverly Hills Polo Club.
Designed by architect Rollin F. Pierson, the home’s floor plan is classic Spanish Colonial Revival. The home’s large living and dining rooms open onto a large terrace with direct access to the private bedrooms upstairs. The home includes both a library and breakfast room, revealing that this was no mere speculative commission, but a true custom home.
Another unique flourish can be found upstairs, where a private interior balcony links the primary suite with the second largest bedroom across the two story entry hall.
Located at 1851 Outpost Drive, the home has recently been renovated and is currently on the market for $7,395,000.
Project: Residence of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Havenstrite, 1929
Architect: Rollin F. Pierson
Location: Los Angeles, California
Source: Architectural Digest