There are many attractive houses in Los Angeles, but far fewer that are truly cool. Consider this woodsy hideaway in Pacific Palisades as an example of the latter. The building, which was built in 1959 and has been owned by the same man for decades, lacks the pedigree of a famous architect. The floorplan is definitely eccentric; some spaces don’t make sense, and the gardens are a little wild and untamed. But when you look at it all at once, it’s clear — the house is just cool.
Hundreds of people discovered this in January. Following the death of the home’s 93-year-old owner, a viral estate sale was held, and the line to enter the midcentury wonderland stretched across the yard and all the way down the long driveway.
The one-of-a-kind property was listed for sale shortly after the estate sale ended. Qualified buyers flocked to the house, which eventually sold for $4.3 million — $400,000 more than the asking price. According to public records, the winning bidder is Bella Poarch, a 26-year-old singer, and dancer who has recently taken the social media world by storm.
Poarch rose to fame and fortune in an unlikely way. She was adopted as a toddler by a reportedly abusive military serviceman and his wife after being born into poverty in the Philippines. Poarch joined the Navy after moving to the United States at the age of 14 and graduating from Herbert Hoover High School in Fresno. It was during this time that she met her husband Tyler Poarch, though their first marriage ended recently in a divorce
Poarch rose to international fame in 2020 after posting videos of herself singing and dancing on TikTok. She now has an almost unbelievable 92 million followers, making her account the third-most-followed on the entire app, trailing only Charli D’Amelio and comedian Khaby Lame. A 10-second clip of Poarch lip-syncing is still TikTok’s most popular video of all time.
Poarch’s new home is hidden away from the public eye, invisible behind gates in the Palisades foothills. The wood-clad modern structure opens into a foyer beyond its stained glass windows. A fireplace-equipped living room connects to a smaller sitting room, the latter fully wood-paneled and overlooking the backyard. A dining room connects to the kitchen, which has dated appliances but strikingly beautiful countertops, directly to the left of the entryway.
While there is no proper powder room, there are two small guest bedrooms in the main house that share a single full bathroom. The master suite, located in its own wing, has dual walk-in closets, a fireplace, a separate wood-paneled reading room, and a bathroom with green mosaic tile. Another large bedroom on the opposite side of the house has ensuite laundry facilities, presumably for a live-in housekeeper.
According to the listing, the estate contains over 800 plant and tree species spread across a half-acre. There are numerous outdoor sitting areas for quiet reflection, as well as overgrown pathways, dozens of sculptures, and gurgling fountains. A Japanese-inspired bridge spans the lagoon-style swimming pool. A Japanese-style tea house with its own full bathroom, study, and private deck with peek-a-boo ocean views is located at the far back of the lot, accessible only by a long uphill pathway.
