Taylor Swift doesn't just buy houses. She rescues them. While most celebrities in the 90210 zip code are busy tearing down historic mid-century masterpieces to build "white box" moderns with zero soul, Swift went the opposite direction.
In 2015, she dropped $25 million on the Samuel Goldwyn Estate. If that name sounds familiar, it should. He’s the "G" in MGM.
This isn't just another Taylor Swift home Los Angeles addition to a massive portfolio. It is a literal piece of film history. Built in 1934, the mansion was the social epicenter of the Golden Age of Hollywood. We’re talking about a place where Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, and Marlene Dietrich didn't just visit—they spent their weekends here plotting the future of cinema.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild to think about.
Most people assume celebrity real estate is all about infinity pools and "smart home" everything. And sure, this place has a pool. But Swift didn’t want a tech-heavy bachelor pad. She wanted a time capsule.
The $25 Million Preservation Project
When she bought the place from the heirs of Samuel Goldwyn Jr., it hadn't changed hands in over 80 years. That’s unheard of in Beverly Hills. Basically, the house was a bit tired. It needed work.
But instead of a gut-job, Swift hired a team of architects led by Monique Schenk to perform a "forensic" restoration.
They didn't just paint the walls. They replicated the original 1930s wooden fencing. They restored the 100-year-old double-hung windows. They even reconstructed the columns on the pool cabana to match the 1934 blueprints.
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Wait, it gets more intense.
There’s this massive wisteria vine that climbs the front of the house. During the exterior restoration, the crew actually built temporary scaffolding to hold the vines in place so they wouldn't be damaged while the brickwork was being repaired. That’s a level of dedication to "vibe" that most billionaires wouldn't bother with.
Inside the Samuel Goldwyn Estate
The house sits on about two acres of prime land at 1200 Laurel Lane. It’s a Georgian Revival-style mansion, which basically means it looks like something out of a classic movie—fitting, right?
It’s big. Nearly 11,000 square feet.
- Seven bedrooms and ten bathrooms.
- A 35mm screening room (Samuel Goldwyn used to watch his daily film rushes here).
- A library-screening room combo where you can easily imagine Taylor writing Folklore lyrics.
- A "card room" because apparently, people in the 30s really loved bridge.
- A guest suite with its own private entrance.
- Sunken tennis courts.
The master suite is the real showstopper. It has a massive veranda that overlooks the city lights of Los Angeles.
Why This Taylor Swift Home Los Angeles is a Landmark
In 2017, Taylor did something fairly rare for a pop star: she applied for—and won—local landmark status for the property.
The Beverly Hills Cultural Heritage Commission voted unanimously to designate it a "Local Historic Landmark."
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Why does this matter? Well, for one, it guarantees the house can never be demolished. It also gives her a significant tax break via the Mills Act, which rewards homeowners for preserving historic structures. But mostly, it cements Taylor's status as a Hollywood power player who respects the titans that came before her.
She isn't just a tenant in Beverly Hills; she’s a curator.
Privacy vs. History
Living in a landmark is cool, but it’s a nightmare for privacy. Once people know where a "National Historic Landmark" is, the tourists show up.
Taylor dealt with this by building walls.
A lot of them.
She obtained permits to build a 6.5-foot cinder block wall around the front porch and a 7-foot retaining wall near the tennis court. She also beefed up the front gate. Some neighbors grumbled, but the city let it slide because the walls were designed to not "impact the integrity" of the original architecture.
It's the ultimate paradox: a house that is a public landmark but is essentially invisible to the public.
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The Homes She Left Behind
To understand why she loves the Goldwyn estate, you have to look at what she sold.
She used to own a charming Cape Cod-style cottage in Beverly Hills that she bought for $3.55 million in 2011. She sold it in 2018. She also had a mid-century modern bungalow with a 1,000-bottle wine cellar (very Reputation era) that she sold that same year.
Those houses were "stops" along the way. The Goldwyn estate feels like a "forever" house.
What to Know Before You Search
If you’re looking to catch a glimpse of this Taylor Swift home Los Angeles, don’t bother. Between the high walls, the dense foliage, and the intense security, you aren’t seeing anything from the street.
The real value of this property isn't in the "celebrity sighting" potential. It’s in the architectural soul. In an era where everything is disposable, Swift spent millions to make sure one piece of Old Hollywood stays exactly as it was in 1934.
Practical Insights for Fans and Real Estate Buffs:
- Respect the Landmark: Historic designations are public record, but the property is private. Don't be that person trespassing for a TikTok.
- Architecture Matters: If you love the Georgian Revival style, look up the architects Douglas Honnold and George Vernon Russell. This was their first big commission.
- The Mills Act: If you own a historic home, look into the Mills Act in California. It's the same program Taylor used to offset the massive costs of her restoration.
- Preservation > Renovation: Before you tear down a "dated" feature in an old house, consider if it’s an original element that adds long-term value. Swift proved that authenticity sells—and lasts.
The Samuel Goldwyn estate is more than just a place where a pop star sleeps. It’s a 1930s film set that never stopped running, meticulously maintained by its most famous leading lady yet.