If you’ve ever driven through the winding, sun-drenched streets of Bel-Air, you know that certain gates just feel... different. They carry a weight. 700 Nimes Road Los Angeles is one of those places. It isn’t just a piece of prime real estate or a collection of expensive square footage; it was the private sanctuary of Elizabeth Taylor. Honestly, calling it a "house" feels like a bit of an understatement. It was her fortress, her jewelry box, and for nearly thirty years, the most famous private address in the world.
She bought it in 1981. It was a time of transition for her. The property, a 1960s ranch-style home originally built by architect Gerard Colcord, sat on about 1.14 acres of some of the most expensive dirt on the planet. Most people expect Hollywood royalty to live in a sprawling, cold mega-mansion with fifty rooms they never visit. Taylor didn’t. She liked intimacy.
What 700 Nimes Road Los Angeles Actually Looked Like Inside
Walking through those doors wasn't like walking into a museum, though the art on the walls suggested otherwise. It was lived-in. There was lavender everywhere—her favorite color. You’d see a Renoir or a Pissarro casually hanging near a sofa where her Maltese dogs, Sugar and Daisy, probably took naps. Catherine Opie, the renowned photographer who spent six months documenting the house right before Taylor passed away, noted how "un-staged" the whole place felt. It wasn't about impressing people. It was about her.
The living room was legendary. It featured plush, thick carpets and deep-seated furniture. If you look at the archival photos, you'll notice the sheer amount of stuff. She was a collector. Not just of the famous "Elizabeth Taylor Diamond" (the 33-carat Krupp diamond), but of small, sentimental trinkets, Oscars, and photos of friends like Michael Jackson and Richard Burton.
The layout was surprisingly straightforward for a celebrity home of this stature. It had five bedrooms. The master suite took up a massive portion of the second floor, featuring two separate bathrooms and a dressing area that functioned more like a high-end boutique than a closet. This is where the famous jewelry was kept, often in a simple velvet-lined safe that saw more history than most history books.
The Secret Garden of Bel-Air
Outside, the property was a literal jungle. But a manicured one. Taylor was obsessed with her gardens. She had a "secret garden" feel going on with rose bushes, towering palms, and a swimming pool that looked remarkably modest compared to the "resort-style" lagoons you see in modern Bel-Air flips today.
It felt private. That’s the thing about 700 Nimes Road Los Angeles—you couldn't see it from the street. The foliage was so dense it acted like a natural soundproofing barrier against the rest of the world. She used to spend mornings out there, often in her dressing gown, surrounded by the greenery. It was her escape from the paparazzi that had followed her since she was twelve years old.
Why the 2011 Sale Was Such a Big Deal
When Elizabeth Taylor passed away in March 2011, the real estate world went into a frenzy. Everyone wanted to know what would happen to the house. It hit the market for $8.6 million. In today’s market, that sounds like a bargain for Bel-Air, but back then, it was a significant price tag for a house that actually needed quite a bit of updating.
It sold quickly. Within about a month, it was off the market.
The buyer? It wasn't another movie star, surprisingly. It was bought by Manoj Bhargava, the billionaire founder of 5-hour Energy. People were worried he’d tear it down. In Los Angeles, "celebrity provenance" usually doesn't save a house from a bulldozer if the land is worth more than the architecture. Luckily, the bones of 700 Nimes Road Los Angeles remained, though it underwent significant renovations to modernize the systems and the interior aesthetic.
Debunking the Myths of the "Taylor Estate"
You hear a lot of rumors about this place. Some say there were underground tunnels. There weren't. Others claim the house was haunted by the ghost of Richard Burton. While the house was certainly filled with his memory—and his photos—it was more of a peaceful retreat than a spooky manor.
One thing that is true? The trophy room. Taylor had a dedicated space for her accolades. But she didn't treat them like holy relics. There are stories of guests coming over and seeing her Golden Globes being used as doorstops or just tucked away on a shelf behind a stack of books. She had a sense of humor about her own fame that the house reflected perfectly.
It’s also worth noting that the house wasn't some massive 20,000-square-foot behemoth. It was around 7,000 square feet. In the world of 2026 real estate, where influencers are building 30,000-square-foot "spec homes" just to film TikToks, 700 Nimes Road feels almost quaint. It was a home built for living, not for content.
The Legacy of the Address
If you're looking for the house today, don't expect a tour. It remains a private residence. The neighborhood is still one of the most prestigious in the "Platinum Triangle" (Bel-Air, Beverly Hills, and Holmby Hills).
What makes 700 Nimes Road Los Angeles stand out in history isn't the square footage. It’s the fact that it served as the backdrop for the final act of a woman who was arguably the last true Queen of Hollywood. From her tireless AIDS activism work—much of which was coordinated from the phones in her home office—to her legendary parties, the house was a hub of 20th-century culture.
How to Appreciate the History
Since you can't exactly walk through the front door, the best way to see the "real" 700 Nimes Road is through the eyes of Catherine Opie. Her book, 700 Nimes Road, is a masterpiece of "indirect portraiture." She took pictures of Taylor's shoes, her closets, her kitchen, and the way the light hit the pool. It’s the closest any of us will ever get to seeing how the most beautiful woman in the world actually lived when the cameras weren't rolling.
Practical Insights for Real Estate Enthusiasts
If you’re researching 700 Nimes Road because you’re interested in Bel-Air real estate or the history of Hollywood homes, keep these points in mind:
- Property Value: While the 2011 sale was under $9 million, the appreciation in the Bel-Air area has skyrocketed. A property with this much history and acreage would likely command $20 million to $30 million today, depending on the state of the renovations.
- Architectural Significance: Gerard Colcord was known as the "architect to the stars" for a reason. His homes are prized for their traditional, "New England" feel, which is a rare find in the sea of modern glass boxes in LA.
- Privacy is King: The real value of Nimes Road isn't the house itself; it's the lot. In Los Angeles, "usable flat land" is the ultimate luxury.
To really understand the impact of this property, look into the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Much of the early strategy and fundraising for that organization happened right within these walls. It wasn't just a place for glamour; it was a place for work.
If you ever find yourself driving through Bel-Air, take a slow turn onto Nimes Road. You won't see much past the gates, but you'll feel the history. It’s a reminder that even in a city obsessed with the "next big thing," some addresses are timeless. The era of Elizabeth Taylor is over, but 700 Nimes Road remains a silent witness to a life lived at full throttle.
For those interested in the architecture of that era, researching other Gerard Colcord designs in the area provides a great look into the "Old Hollywood" aesthetic that Taylor loved so much. You’ll find similar themes: brickwork, heavy wood beams, and a total rejection of the "open concept" trend that dominates today's market. It was a house with rooms, secrets, and a whole lot of soul.