A home once belonging to one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons has just been listed for sale. Tucked into the Hollywood Dell neighborhood in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, the mid-century property that served as a personal retreat for actress Ava Gardner during her marriage to Frank Sinatra is now available for $2.9 million through Sotheby’s International Realty.
The three bedroom, three bathroom single family home spans 2,668 square feet of interior living space and sits on a generous 0.2461 acre lot totaling 10,722 square feet. Built in 1959 and designed by celebrated mid century architect Ed Fickett, the property has been carefully maintained to honor its vintage character while offering the comforts expected of a modern home.
For anyone with a deep appreciation for classic cinema, vintage architecture or the golden age of Los Angeles glamour, the listing represents a rare opportunity to own a genuine piece of that world.
The architecture is a love letter to mid century design
The home was designed by architect Ed Fickett, a prominent figure in mid century Los Angeles residential design, and his signature sensibility is evident throughout the property. The exterior features post and beam construction and dramatic walls of glass two hallmarks of the mid-century modern style that defined so much of the era’s most celebrated California architecture.
A stone wall that anchors the home’s exterior carries seamlessly through to the interior, giving the space a sense of continuity and character that feels both rooted in its era and effortlessly livable today. The open living and dining area looks out over the Hollywood Hills, offering the kind of view that made this neighborhood so desirable to the entertainment world’s biggest names decades ago and continues to draw buyers today.
While the bones of the house are unmistakably vintage, the interior has been thoughtfully updated. The kitchen is bright and contemporary, finished in clean white tones that contrast beautifully with the home’s more rustic architectural elements. A well appointed bathroom featuring blue wall tiles and wooden accents brings a stylish, considered finish to the space. Every corner of the home reflects a balance between its storied past and the demands of present day living.
A modern white kitchen brings a clean, contemporary feel to the space, and a stylish bathroom finished with blue wall tiles and warm wooden accents strikes a balance between old Hollywood charm and present day comfort. Out back, a spacious patio extends to a grassy lawn below, providing a private outdoor space that feels like a natural extension of the home’s serene, tucked away setting.
The property is listed with Antonio Bruno of Sotheby’s International Realty’s Beverly Hills Brokerage.
The outdoor space adds something truly special
Beyond the interiors, the property offers an outdoor experience that is every bit as compelling. A generous grassy play yard provides open space to relax, entertain or simply take in the natural surroundings that make the Hollywood Dell such a sought after pocket of Los Angeles. A charming treehouse adds a whimsical and unexpected touch, giving the yard a personality that sets it apart from the typical Hollywood Hills offering.
Adding further appeal, the listing includes a rare double lot the adjacent parcel at 2769 Rinconia Drive which significantly enhances both the privacy of the property and its long term potential. For a buyer interested in preserving their seclusion or exploring future possibilities, the inclusion of the second lot makes this an even more compelling opportunity.
Why this listing is so compelling
Properties with a genuine, documented connection to a figure of Gardner’s magnitude are rare on the Los Angeles market under any circumstances. When that connection is paired with landmark mid century architecture, extraordinary canyon views, a double lot and a beautifully preserved and updated interior, the result is a listing that stands well apart from anything else currently available in the Hollywood Hills. For the right buyer, 2775 Rinconia Drive is far more than a home it is a living piece of American cultural history.