Real estate magnate and architectural historian Jeff Hyland presented a fabulous lecture on his book The Legendary Estates of Beverly Hills to the Fellows at Virginia Robinson Gardens. Legendary in his own right, Jeff is President of Hilton and Hyland, the founding affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate. He has been the recipient of many awards and has been incredibly generous to and supportive of Virginia Robinson Gardens. In 2013, he received Robinson Garden’s highest honor – the “Spirit of Beverly Hills Award.”
Divided into four parts, this lavish and beautifully illustrated publication focuses on 45 mansions in Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, Holmby Hills and the “Gone, but not Forgotten” historic estates. In its infancy, the developers of Beverly Hills envisioned three communities: the area south of Wilshire Boulevard for the less affluent residents, the area between Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards for the middle class, and the area north of Sunset for the truly rich.
Jeff regaled the audience with slides of magnificent mansions and gardens, built by famed architects Gordon Kaufmann, Wallace Neff and Paul Williams among others. David Geffen’s sumptuous estate, formerly that of Jack Warner, is featured in the book, along with one of the former homes of William Randolph Hearst. The magnificent garden in the Hearst estate features beautiful statuary and Moorish-style archways. “Hearst did not want to live there with Marion Davies, as he could see his neighbors,” explained Hyland.
Several signed copies of Jeff’s gorgeous book were sold, with 100% of the proceeds generously donated to the Virginia Robinson Gardens.To secure your own copy of Jeff Hyland’s stunning publication, click here.