The legendary estate of TV host Merv Griffin has gone on the market for $36 million.
Famous for his work as the creator of game shows Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, the late media mogul was dubbed ‘Hollywood’s richest performer’ in 1986 after selling his production company, Merv Griffin Productions, to Colombia Pictures Television for $250 million.
He died in 2007 at the age of 82, but his home has remained “as legendary as the man”, spanning 40 acres and including seven separate residences.
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Based in La Quinta, California, a desert resort city in Coachella Valley – home of the popular music festival – it was inspired by Yves St. Laurent’s Marrakesh home and designed by noted Los Angeles interior designer Waldo Fernandez.
The estate’s crown jewel is the stunning 5,409-square-foot main residence.
An airy-open floor plan, bright white walls, wood accents, and Moroccan-inspired lamps complement the fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and private lake.
One of Hollywood’s most popular performers and long-time friend of people like Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Robert Loggia, Eva Gabor and Zsa Zsa Gabor, Griffin was a frequent party host adding 500-square-foot pods to offer intimate housing for guests.
Two additional homes, the West Building and the Gate Building at 1,568 and 1,708 square feet respectively, provide additional housing for guests or staff.
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The extensive grounds offer manicured lawns, tall palm trees, and an expansive orchard with oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, pomegranates, and guavas, as well as the iconic King Fig Tree, one of the largest in the Coachella Valley.
The tranquil Lake Merveilleux is filled with koi, turtles, and bass and attracts numerous migratory birds.
Professional equestrian facilities with top-of-the-line stables, a racetrack, a pool, and a six-bay garage complete the estate.
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Surrounded by towering twelve-foot walls, the compound is private and secure.
The estate, which is featured on What’s The Jam, is surrounded by some of the world’s best golf clubs, with nine courses designed by professional golfers, including Pete Dye, Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, and Arnold Palmer within a fifteen-minute drive.
The courses have made the community a celebrity vacation hotspot, hosting a who’s who of the rich and famous since 1926, including Shirley Temple, Frank Capra, Bill Clinton, Gwen Stefani, and Justin Bieber.
Local residents include Lori Loughlin, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber.
The listing, which features on Top Ten Real Estate Deals, is held by Mauricio Umansky and Zach Goldsmith of The Agency.
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