If you’re looking to live like a celeb with a gang of pals, the $12m former home of legendary magician, Harry Houdini, is available to rent in the Hollywood Hills.
Hungarian-born Houdini lived between 1874 and 1926, and he was noted for his sensational escape acts. His house was built in the Edwardian tradition in the early 1900s, and still has caves, hidden tunnels and terraced gardens. It also has a deep-water tank where he reportedly practised his underwater escapes.
The historic Houdini Estate has a three-storey waterfall fed by a natural mineral spring, canyon views, seven gazebos and terraced gardens, and is filled with palm trees and other exotic trees that are a century old. Houdini’s wife, Bess, gave a famous party there for 500 magicians and lived there for years after her husband died.
The estate and its gardens were restored after the 1959 Laurel Canyon Fire damaged the original mansion. It now enjoys modern amenities while maintaining the grand mystique and marvel of Harry Houdini.
The magnificent house has three bedrooms and four granite bathrooms, but it sleeps up to 16 with sofas and rollaway beds. There is also parking for over 80 cars.
The five-acre property is located just minutes from Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills and Universal City, and if you feel active, there are plenty of walking trails nearby.
You can cook in its open-plan kitchen or BBQ patio, and there are three fireplaces and flat-screen TVs in all rooms. Guests can chill out by the pool and spa or Koi pond, read the estate’s books or enjoy the pool table.
For further information, check out the Houdini Estate’s page on HomeAway here.
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