For most of their relationship, Helen Mirren and her husband, Taylor Hackford, have called Los Angeles their home base. But in recent years, they relocated to Lake Tahoe on the Nevada side, and now, the longtime couple (who tied the knot in 1997 after more than 10 years together) is deciding whether or not they should sell their first home. Mirren and Hackford are weighing their options by offering the Hollywood estate as a rental for $45,000 a month or as a sale at $18.5 million, reports the Wall Street Journal.
“When it leases, it’s good for me because I get to hang on to a place that I love,” the American film director told the publication. “But on the other hand, it may be time to turn it over… and let someone else enjoy this really special spot.”
Martinique print wallpaper decorates the dining room.
Having lived there since the 1980s, the Oscar-winning actor said she has been “blown away” by the home’s history. The 6,600-square-foot main dwelling was built in the early 20th century for Dustin Farnum, a silent movie star of the era, and had two other homeowners between him and Mirren. Situated on the edge of Runyon Canyon Park, which has become a hotspot for hikers over the years, the Mediterranean style compound boasts five bedrooms and expansive living and entertaining spaces—including a wood-paneled library, a bar, a dining room, and a fireplace-equipped living room which opens onto a terrace. Also on the six-and-a-half-acre property is a swimming pool and a three-bedroom guesthouse.
It seems that Mirren and Hackford do not shy away from colorful, patterned wallpapers.
“Although it’s a big house, it doesn’t feel like a big house,” noted Mirren. “You don’t feel like you’re a little pea in a huge pod rattling around.”
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Prior to their move to Lake Tahoe, Mirren and Hackford enjoyed escaping the West Coast for New Orleans, where they owned a dreamy bungalow that Architectural Digest got to tour. “I find New Orleans very peaceful,” the British star said before they sold it in 2007. “It’s my contact with Europe in America.” The two also shared pads in London and New York, but it’s unclear if they still own them.
Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Property Specialists Joyce Rey and Stephen Apelian have the listing.
