Former Beverly Hills Compound Owned by Dawn Steel Listed at $34.5M

A 10.2-acre compound at 5801 Gloaming Dr. in Beverly Hills once owned by the late Columbia Pictures chief Dawn Steel has been listed for $34.5 million, the listing agent announced Monday.

The estate offers a commanding view that stretches from Beverly Hills to the Pacific Ocean. The Monterrey Colonial main house features six bedrooms and five bathrooms, several fireplaces, hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings.

The current owner Bo Zarnegin, who is the co-developer of the Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel, bought the property in 2005 for $8.825 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. He spent about $5 million to renovate the structures and landscaping.

The property also includes a separate two-bedroom, two-bathroom guest house with a full kitchen, as well as a separate two-bedroom, one-bathroom staff house with kitchen, and a pool area.

The estate is among the few in Beverly Hills zoned for horses and includes stables, according to a statement. The property is being listed by Aaron Kirman, president of Aaroe Estates, the luxury property division of John Aaroe Group.

"It's very unique because it hasn't been subdivided," said Pauline Yoshihashi, of Sheila Donnelly and Associates, who also noted she has not seen a place in L.A. County like this property with these kind of sight lines. 

Zarnegin bought the property from Charles Roven, the late Dawn Steel’s husband, according to the John Aaroe Group. Records show that the Rovens bought it in 1988.

Steel, the first woman to head a major Hollywood studio, became known in the movie industry for developing several hits at Paramount Pictures, including "Flashdance," "Footloose," "Top Gun," "The Untouchables," "The Accused," and "Fatal Attraction." She died in 1997 at the age of 51.

"This estate offers unparalleled views, along with the charm of an original Beverly Hills home," Kirman said. "It also comes with some amazing Hollywood history in a peaceful hilltop setting... It's ideal for a family seeking a classic Southern California experience, or for a developer interested in a prestigious location with spacious grounds, exceptional views, and privacy to build the ultimate estate compound." 

This house has had a very colorful—and short—chain of ownership, according to the John Aaroe Group. The original owners, Mr. and Mrs. William O. Bagshaw, bred championship whippets and were well known in dog-breeding circles.

Before Steel and Roven, the property had another famous owner, notable movie studio chef John Calley. At one time, Calley headed Warner Brothers, United Artists and Sony. He was known for working with such films as “Towering Inferno,” The Exorcist,” “Chariots of Fire,” and “As Good as It Gets.”

- City News Service contributed to this report.