Trousdale Estates sits at the pinnacle of Beverly Hills, surrounded on three sides by Los Angeles. The 410 acre community was designed as an architecturally controlled neighborhood, and was annexed into the city of Beverly Hills during development in the mid 1950s. Original homes were all built in accordance with pre established criteria. Upon build out the architectural review committee was disbanded, leading to a series of remodels and additions that were out of step with the initial guidelines. As a result, the Trousdale Ordinance was passed in 1987, with the aim of protecting views and preserving the original character of the neighborhood. Aside from stringent constraints on building footprints and grading, the most impactful clause of the ordinance limits roof heights to a modest 14 feet. Due in large part to these strict regulations, the community remains a rarefied trove of midcentury architecture today.

 

From its base at Doheny Rd, Trousdale Estates gains nearly 1,000 feet in elevation as it rises to the north along a series of cropped ridgelines and wide canyon floors. Generous buildings pads are evenly terraced along gently sloping drives, in stark contrast to the tangle of roads and oft precariously perched residences of adjacent communities like the Crest Streets and Hollywood Hills. Owing to both good geography and good planning, many homes in Trousdale offer the best of both worlds: flat usable lots more often found at lower elevations, and sweeping views of the L.A. basin often reserved for steep hillside homes. While grassy yards are limited, nearly all properties offer pools. 

 

Due to height restrictions, the vast majority of Trousdale homes are single story above ground. Redevelopment and remodels are ongoing, with newly built homes often pushing the price ceiling for the neighborhood. A handful of properties (mostly clustered on Hillcrest Rd) significantly exceed the statistics given below, including a record setting home sold for $70 million in 2014. 

 

Community interests are overseen by the Trousdale Estates Homeowners Association (TEHA). The association maintains a 24/7 security patrol for members, and works alongside the city of Beverly Hills to preserve community interests. For more information about the TEHA please visit their website.

 

 

 

 

AT A GLANCE...

 

Total Homes: 529

Year Built: Late Mid 1950s - Present

(Original builds 1956 - 1978, most rebuilds post 2000)

Bedrooms: 3 - 8

Bathrooms: 3 - 13

Home Size: 2,500 s.f. - 12,000 s.f.

Lot Size: 1/2 acre to 1.5 acres

Price: $4,250,000 - $20,000,000

HOA Dues: $140 per month for security patrol service (voluntary)