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Add Texture to GoogleIn 1962, at the height of his fame, Rock Hudson signed much more than just a contract extension with Universal Pictures. To secure the actor’s loyalty for another five years, the studio carried out a major real estate transaction: the purchase of a property located at 9402 Beverly Crest Drive, in the Beverly Hills Post Office neighborhood. This estate, which Hudson had already been renting for a year from actor Sam Jaffe, became his personal sanctuary. Nicknamed “The Castle,” this Spanish Revival-style home would remain his primary residence until his death in 1985, marking the pinnacle of a residential journey through the aesthetic codes of Southern California.
The “early butch” aesthetic of 9402 Beverly Crest Drive
Perched on a private ridge spanning approximately 1.4 hectares, Rock Hudson’s primary residence was distinguished by Hispanic architecture typical of the 1920s. The white stucco walls and terracotta-tiled roofs housed an interior whose style was described by those close to him as “early butch.” The atmosphere was deliberately masculine and rugged, featuring dark wood, zebra skins, wrought iron, and pewter candlesticks. The decor, a far cry from classic Hollywood frills, displayed a textured simplicity, punctuated by statues of nude men and adolescents placed on the patio and around the pool.
The intimate heart of the house was the master bedroom, dubbed “The Blue Room.” Entirely covered in royal blue carpet, it featured a carved wooden four-poster bed adorned with a nude male figure. The residence also featured two living rooms, four fireplaces, a sauna, a steam room, and a gym, all designed to support a lifestyle focused on physical well-being and private entertaining.
A Place for Entertainment and a Passion for Botany
For a man whose public life was under constant scrutiny, “The Castle” offered amenities that allowed for a secluded social life. Rock Hudson had transformed the property’s former garage into a professional screening room. This private theater featured a wooden stage for rehearsals and an entire wall dedicated to a collection of rare vinyl records. It was there that the actor would watch his own films or those of his contemporaries, far from the prying eyes of the industry.
Outside, the grounds reflected his personal passions and his love of hospitality. An imposing greenhouse housed a vast collection of orchids, while a 12-meter swimming pool, complete with a hot tub and a lion-headed fountain, served as the centerpiece for summer gatherings. A six-meter-long barbecue completed the setup, underscoring a fondness for convivial moments in the open air, sheltered by the seclusion of the ridge.
A Real Estate Journey Between Studio City and Malibu
Before settling permanently on Beverly Crest Drive, Rock Hudson explored various styles of California architecture. Early in his career, between 1951 and 1955, he lived in a Mid-Century home of just 93 square meters in Studio City, designed by architect Ralph Bowerman in 1950. This modest pied-à-terre, nestled in the landscape of Coldwater Canyon, was sold much later, in June 2016, for $1,175,000.
When he married Phyllis Gates in the mid-1950s, the actor purchased a two-bedroom cottage located above the Sunset Strip. Later, toward the end of the decade, he sought refuge in Malibu, in a beachfront home he used as a private sanctuary. This need for seclusion became even more apparent after his divorce in 1958, during which he spent some time in Newport Beach. Later, in the late 1970s, he briefly owned a three-bedroom “transitional” style home on the Sunset Strip, reflecting his constant movement among Los Angeles’ most sought-after neighborhoods.
From the Hudson Era to Paul Allen’s Reconstruction
After the actor’s death in October 1985, “The Castle” underwent a radical change in its fate. The property was first acquired by director John Landis, who undertook the demolition and near-total reconstruction of the original structure. In 1997, Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, purchased the estate for $10,000,000 (approximately €9,200,000). Under his leadership, the property was expanded to 1.3 hectares and underwent massive renovations.
Paul Allen had a recording studio of nearly 930 square meters built, named “Neptune Valley,” and installed a glass-enclosed funicular to connect the swimming pool to the tennis court. These projects brought the total built-up area of the complex to approximately 2,200 square meters. In July 2021, Allen’s heirs listed the property for sale at $55,525,000. It was ultimately sold in January 2022 to real estate developer Randall Van Wolfswinkel for $45,000,000.
Today, nothing remains from the Rock Hudson era at 9402 Beverly Crest Drive. The “early butch” decor, the orchid greenhouses, and the Spanish Revival architecture have given way to an ultra-modern complex, erasing the physical traces of the man who, for more than twenty years, was the master of the house.