Newsworthy Estate in California

The owners, Joseph Handleman, 47, and his wife, Courtney Handleman, 48, purchased this estate in the enclave of Windsor Square in Los Angeles, Calif., for $8.07 million in 2006, according to public records. (All told, Mr. Handleman said they paid $8.75 million for the home and some furnishings.) Built in 1913, the Beaux-Arts mansion was once owned by Norman Chandler, the former publisher of the Los Angeles Times, and his wife Dorothy, a prominent philanthropist in the area, according to the Office of Historic Resources in Los Angeles. Photo: Cameron Carothers

The Beaux-Arts style mansion was designed by the architect J. Martyn Haenke, according to city records. Ms. Handleman, who owns and manages residential income properties, said she had heard of the estate but knew little of its connection to the Chandler family. 'It's a quintessential Hollywood house.' The entryway, pictured above, features original wood paneling, which the owners refinished, Ms. Handleman said. Photo: Cameron Carothers

The couple says the restoration of the property proved to be a much larger undertaking than they first anticipated. The Handlemans are currently involved in arbitration with the previous owner, Timothy Corrigan -- who is not related to the Chandlers -- regarding the condition of the home when they purchased it. Mr. Handleman, who is an attorney, is representing the couple in the dispute. Mr. Corrigan confirmed the arbitration, but declined to comment further. Ms. Handleman said they put in around $4 million to renovate the house, much of which went towards updating the roof, plumbing and electrical systems. The couple also added a wireless data system to the home. Photo: Cameron Carothers

Since purchasing the property, Ms. Handleman has a newfound admiration for one of the home's most famous residents. 'I'm kind of obsessed with Dorothy Chandler,' she said of the late philanthropist. In her research on the home, she said she found that Ms. Chandler had this room enclosed with travertine marble. The stone blocks, she said, were left over from parts of the construction of the Music Center in Los Angeles, which Ms. Chandler helped fund. Members of the Chandler family were not available for comment. Photo: Cameron Carothers

The home includes two working fireplaces and one decorative fireplace. The library is pictured above. Photo: Cameron Carothers

The couple updated the kitchen with solid walnut cabinetry. A butler pantry includes additional storage and appliances for catered events. Photo: Cameron Carothers

Ms. Chandler was known to host several high-profile politicians and celebrities at the estate. Diane Kanner, a board member of the Los Angeles City Historical Society who is writing a book on Ms. Chandler, said Richard Nixon dined at the property. Photo: Cameron Carothers

The roughly 10,000-square-foot home includes three bedroom suits, a maid's room that can be used as an additional bedroom and five bathrooms. The property also includes a two-bedroom guest house and a conservatory for plants that's original to the property, Ms. Handleman said. Photo: Cameron Carothers

Ms. Handleman said the couple is selling because the property is getting to be too much work to maintain and the restoration has been more taxing than they had imagined. They're looking to move to the Santa Barbara area. The home was listed in May for $11.25 million with Josh Flagg and Joe Babajian of Rodeo Realty. Photo: Cameron Carothers

Source: http://feeds.wsjonline.com/~r/wsj/xml/rss/3_7093/~3/UYr6xXYo4cY/SB10001424052702304672204577534812159741998.html

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