Sammy Davis Jr. made Evanview Drive a swinging place to be in the 1950s, when he hosted members of the Rat Pack and other famous friends at his Los Angeles spread. Now a home on the plot where "The Candyman" once lived is for sale.
The three-bedroom, four-bathroom house on Evanview Drive in the Hollywood Hills has been completely remodeled and was listed this week for nearly $8 million. It’s also available as a fully furnished rental for $49,000 a month. The story was originally reported by The Real Deal.
Jason Oppenheim, founder of the Los Angeles-based Oppenheim Group, took on the renovations himself and also has the listing. He took the existing house, built in 1987, down to the studs, and expanded the living space.
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Mr. Oppenheim knew Davis had owned the neighboring house (it sold for $3.8 million in 2013, according to public records). But as he was looking through some of the old permits for the property, he discovered the singer, actor and comedian had owned both plots.
"There are photos of the Rat Pack hanging out at the previous house," he said. "And James Dean lived in a guest house across the street. It was quite a cool area."
Mr. Oppenheim isn’t sure how long the entertainer, who died in 1990, lived on his estate there, but the permits he reviewed are from the 1950s. A pool house still exists from Davis’s day, but the luxury 5,044-square-foot abode on the property is all new.
"I was just going to do a mid-range remodel," Mr. Oppenheim said. "But I got carried away."
Although he remodeled the house he currently lives in, this is Mr. Oppenheim’s first foray into real-estate development and "the most extensive and significant."
"Once I blew through my budget, I decided to throw it out and do everything in the most awesome way possible," he said.
His business of selling luxury homes helped him "acquire numerous expensive ideas," the best of which he put into use here. The eventual price tag was several million dollars, he added, and the project took about a year and a half to complete. Mr. Oppenheim bought the property in 2016 for $2.7 million, according to records.
Floating steps that lead to a fire pit in the pool are among the home’s most unique features, he said. There, residents can hang out by the fire and be surrounded by water, as well as the sound of the built-in waterfalls. The pool area also boasts daybeds, and there’s an outdoor kitchenette, barbecue and television-viewing area (it is L.A., after all).
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The home has open living areas with 13-foot ceilings, exposed wood beams and custom woodwork and cabinetry throughout. Ambient LED lighting and a gas fireplace accentuate the modern design, and floor-to-ceiling windows let in the California light.
The kitchen is outfitted with Miele appliances, and has a breakfast bar for informal meals. A patio offers views of the city and another fire pit.
There are two master suites, featuring suede-lined walk-in closets and bathrooms lined with leather, Mr. Oppenheim said. A floating steel staircase is anchored in the concrete wall, and sliding doors open to the suites.
The house has an additional bedroom and an office, plus a media room with a wet bar, a wine cellar and sauna and massage areas.
It’s a perfect place to entertain, Mr. Oppenheim said. Rat Pack theme party, anyone?