You know that feeling when you turn onto a street and the air just feels... heavier? Like there’s more history per square inch than the sidewalk can actually hold? That’s Roxbury Drive. But if you’re looking for the crown jewel of the "Gold Coast" of Beverly Hills, you basically have to stop at 1000 N Roxbury Drive. It isn't just a house. It’s a 1930s time capsule that somehow managed to survive the "scrape and build" era where modern glass boxes are replacing everything soul-filled in 90210.
Honestly, it’s rare.
Most people driving by see the high hedges and the massive footprint and think "celebrity." They aren't wrong. This specific stretch of North Roxbury has been home to everyone from Lucille Ball to Jimmy Stewart. But 1000 N Roxbury Drive is different because it represents the peak of the Traditional style that defined the neighborhood before it became a playground for speculative developers. It’s a sprawling estate that sits on a massive corner lot at the intersection of Roxbury and Highbench Road, giving it a presence that most interior lots on the street just can't match.
The Architectural Soul of 1000 N Roxbury Drive
When we talk about 1000 N Roxbury Drive, we are talking about a property that spans over 12,000 square feet of living space. That’s huge, even for Beverly Hills. It was built back in 1932, a time when architects like Gerard Colcord and Paul Williams were defining what "California Luxury" meant. It wasn't about being flashy. It was about scale, symmetry, and materials that would actually last a century.
The house is a classic Traditional—think brick accents, white siding, and those iconic black shutters. It looks like the kind of place where a Hollywood mogul would have sat by a fireplace in 1945 signing contracts, and frankly, that’s exactly the vibe it still gives off. The lot itself is over an acre. In the "flats" of Beverly Hills, finding a full acre is like finding a needle in a haystack. Most lots are 20,000 to 30,000 square feet. Having over 43,000 square feet of flat land means you have room for a proper motor court, a full-sized pool, and a guest house that’s bigger than most people’s primary residences.
It’s grand. It’s imposing. But it also feels like a home.
Why This Specific Block Matters So Much
You can't talk about 1000 N Roxbury Drive without talking about its neighbors. This isn't just any street. The 1000 block of North Roxbury is often cited by real estate historians and local agents as the "Power Block."
- Lucille Ball lived at 1000 North Roxbury’s neighbor, 1000 North Roxbury itself actually neighbors 1002 (the former home of the legendary Jack Benny).
- Jimmy Stewart was just down the way at 918.
- Rosemary Clooney called 1011 North Roxbury home.
When you walk your dog down this street, you are literally walking through the ghost of Old Hollywood. While many of those homes have been heavily renovated or torn down, 1000 N Roxbury Drive has maintained that stately, classic aesthetic that keeps the neighborhood's DNA intact. It’s the visual anchor of the corner.
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The market value reflects that history. Properties on this block don't just sell; they transfer like crown jewels. We’re talking about a price bracket that starts in the high $20 millions and can easily swing into the $40 million range depending on the state of the interior renovations. Real estate in the Beverly Hills Flats has seen a weird shift lately. While some buyers want the ultra-modern "Museum" look, there is a massive resurgence in "Legacy Estates." People want the 1930s bones with 2026 tech.
What's Inside a 12,000 Square Foot Time Machine?
Inside 1000 N Roxbury Drive, the layout follows that classic East Coast-meets-West Coast flow. You have the massive formal entry—the kind with a sweeping staircase that was basically designed for dramatic exits.
The house features:
- Seven to eight bedrooms, depending on how you use the flex spaces.
- At least 10 bathrooms (because in Beverly Hills, you can never have too many).
- A formal dining room that could easily seat 20 people.
- A library or "den" usually finished in dark wood, which is a staple of these 1930s builds.
The primary suite is usually the shocker for people used to modern homes. In these older estates, the primary suites aren't just a bedroom; they’re a wing. We’re talking dual bathrooms, massive dressing rooms, and often a private sitting room with its own fireplace. It’s less about "open concept" and more about "defined luxury." Every room has a purpose. You don't just "hang out" in the kitchen; you have a chef’s kitchen for the staff and a breakfast room for the family.
The "Invisible" Luxury of the Flats
Living at 1000 N Roxbury Drive isn't just about the house. It’s about the "Flats" lifestyle. Unlike the hills, where you have views but you’re stuck on winding, narrow roads, the Flats are walkable.
You can literally walk from your front door at 1000 N Roxbury to the Beverly Hills Hotel in about five minutes. You can walk to Rodeo Drive in ten. It’s the only place in Los Angeles where you have total privacy behind 10-foot hedges but you’re also in the heart of a cosmopolitan city. It’s a weird paradox. You feel like you’re on a country estate, but the Gucci store is three blocks away.
The landscaping at this property is also worth noting. These older estates have "mature" greenery. We aren't talking about three-gallon shrubs from Home Depot. We are talking about 80-year-old Magnolia trees and Oaks that provide a canopy you just can't buy at a nursery. It creates a micro-climate on the property that keeps it cool and quiet, acting as a natural sound barrier from the city noise.
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Addressing the "Scrape and Build" Controversy
There’s a lot of talk in Beverly Hills right now about historic preservation. Many people are worried that houses like 1000 N Roxbury Drive are an endangered species. Developers love these big corner lots because they can squeeze a 20,000-square-foot mega-mansion onto them and flip it for $60 million.
But there’s a nuance here.
The city of Beverly Hills has tightened up its "mansionization" ordinances. They want to keep the character of the 1000 block. When a house like this hits the market, there’s always a tension between the buyer who wants to restore the 1932 magic and the buyer who wants to start over. Kinda scary, honestly, to think that such a piece of history could just vanish. For now, 1000 N Roxbury stands as a testament to the idea that sometimes, the original architects actually knew what they were doing.
How to Navigate the Beverly Hills Real Estate Market
If you’re looking at properties in this tier—the ultra-prime 90210 real estate—you have to look past the staging.
- Check the bones. In houses built in the 30s, look at the foundation and the plumbing. Even if it’s been "renovated," make sure the infrastructure was actually modernized, not just the countertops.
- Lot value is king. At 1000 N Roxbury Drive, the house is incredible, but the land is the actual asset. In the Flats, land is trading at astronomical per-square-foot prices.
- Privacy is the new currency. Look at how the hedges and gates are situated. A corner lot like this one requires a very specific security and privacy layout to keep the paparazzi or curious tourists at bay.
The reality of 1000 N Roxbury Drive is that it’s more than just an address. It’s a statement about what Beverly Hills used to be and what it manages to still be, despite all the changes in the world. It’s a bit of stability in a city that’s always trying to reinvent itself.
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For those serious about the Beverly Hills market, the next step is to look at the local historical register and the current zoning for the "Flats" to understand what can and cannot be changed on these legacy estates. Whether you're a buyer, a fan of architecture, or just a neighborhood watcher, keeping an eye on the 1000 block of Roxbury is the best way to track the pulse of high-end California living. Check the recent sales data for the North of Sunset area to see how the price-per-square-foot compares to these historic corner lots—you'll find that the "Gold Coast" is holding its value better than almost anywhere else in the country.