Beverly Hills’ First Luxury Estate

4 min readJan 8, 2019

The Virginia Robinson Gardens is a unique historic estate, a cultural jewel that transports the visitor back to the birthplace of Beverly Hills. Built in 1911, it was once the residence of retail giants Virginia and Harry Robinson (of the Robinson department stores) and now occupies an illustrious place in history as the first luxury estate built in Beverly Hills.

photo courtesy of es.discoverlosangeles.com

Two icons sitting together

Historic Place open to the Public

Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is open by appointment to the public. Located behind the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel, the beautiful six-acre property contains a breathtaking display garden, mansion and pool pavilion. A favorite destination for both local and international visitors, the property attracts a varied audience, from those interested in the history of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills to people who appreciate beautiful gardens and traditional design. In addition, it is a dynamic location for photo shoots with dramatic settings such as the awe-inspiring Australian King Palm Forest, the bucolic Rose Garden and the tranquil Italian Terrace Garden.

Royalty & Celebrities party together

The estate for old Hollywood parties

The immediate beauty of the property is just one of the estate’s many fascinating attributes. The Robinson Gardens was once the site of lavish Hollywood parties. Mrs. Robinson was known as the first lady of Beverly Hills and her triumphs as a hostess are legendary: her diverse guests included royalty such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to Hollywood stars like Marlene Dietrich and Fred Astaire; her neighbors were Glenn Ford, Lillian Disney and Elvis Presley. She sipped champagne cocktails with Sophia Loren and challenged Charlie Chaplin to a spirited game of tennis — all with her signature elegance and class.

photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Virginia Robinson Gardens

Mrs. Robinsons Philanthropy

The gift to Angelinos & the public

She was equally renowned for her philanthropy. Among the many benefits she hosted, the Hollywood Bowl Patronesses Benefit was a favorite. Each year, after the opening of the Hollywood Bowl season, the orchestra would repeat their performance on the estate’s Great Lawn, to the delight of her guests. Shortly before her death in 1977, Mrs. Robinson bequeathed her estate to Los Angeles County. The County, along with the not-for-profit organization Friends of Robinson Gardens, preserve the estate for future generations to enjoy.

- Real Estate Highlights -

JUST SOLD!

IN ESCROW!

FOR SALE!

Blog details, images courtesy of es.discoverlosangeles.com, Time Out & https://www.robinsongardens.org/

MEET BASYA GRADON

A vibrant member of Southern California’s real estate industry, Basya is well known for her positive approach to tackling every prospective deal, from the quaint starter-homes & investment properties to the elegant sprawling estates of Los Angeles. Her core focus includes the Hancock Park & Westside neighborhoods. With an approachable personality, Basya is a proud agent of Compass who makes herself available to her clients as if they were family.

“My perspective on homeownership in today’s real estate market is to bring out my clients’ driving forces behind their home purchase,” Basya says, “and ensure that all those needs & plans are recognized & incorporated into their home buying experience”.

Whether representing young couples, a growing family, or even retirees, Basya is no stranger to the art of effective negotiation. Her gift for design coupled with her passion for homes is evident in her ability to get her clients not only the best deal, but a property they can immediately be proud of. Her tireless effort to make your purchase or sale of a home a smooth and seamless experience truly shines as Basya navigates the real estate market for you. When she’s not dabbling in real estate, Basya dedicates her time to her husband & 5 children, as well as to the many guests she hosts with finesse. With the proper market-based guidance and unwavering support Basya provides, her expertise is unparalleled. Investing in your piece of the American dream & becoming a homeowner boils down to the professional representation you implore to get the job done. Basya is your agent; period.