Lily Collins’ $13.5 million Beverly Hills mansion

John Elgin Woolf, dubbed the king of Hollywood Regency, designed and built homes for many of Golden Age Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Cary Grant, Barbara Stanwyck, Bob Hope, and Katharine Hepburn. To ingratiate himself with Hollywood’s elite, the Atlanta-born architect brought a touch of Southern charm to the table, and along the way inspired many imitators who helped make the Regency style — a mix of French architecture and modernist design trends, plus L.A.’s own glitz and glamour — a coveted style even today.

It isn’t considered Woolf’s masterwork, but it definitely has all the signatures of classic Hollywood Regency architecture. Lurch greets the pizza delivery person from the towering front doors of the elegant number, which was completed in 1954. It features oval windows, parquet hardwood floors, and towering front doors.

The vaguely crab-shaped house also boasts a superb location in Beverly Hills, between Sunset Boulevard and Doheny Drive, and just a literal short skip to West Hollywood and the bustling Sunset Strip. Due to this location, the primary property was sold for $12.5 million, a whopping $3.6 million above its asking price. It is reported that Jill Tavelman, the second ex-wife of musician Phil Collins, outbid several developers for the .69-acre property, catty-corner to her much larger Waverly Mansion.

The Woolf property appears to have been given to Lily Collins, an actress who has starred in Emily in Paris, “Rules Don’t Apply,” and “Les Misérables.” According to the New York Post, Collins held onto the house until last month, when she flipped it for $13.5 million off-market. According to records, the buyer is Moise Emquies, a wealthy Los Angeles fashion designer who – along with his ex-wife Carol Ann Emquies – recently sold their former marital Santa Monica estate for nearly $30 million.In spite of being transferred off-market, few current photos of the Beverly Hills house exist. The interior is filled with large circular skylights, which keep the interior warm. There are four rooms on the floorplan, including a library, living room, and wet bar. In addition to new custom built-ins and furnishings, Collins and Tavelman also appear to have improved the somewhat frumpy décor.

An oriented north-to-south tennis court is located in the back yard. On the south side of the house, there is an in-ground pool surrounded by a brick patio; the motorcourt is enclosed by iron gates and has parking for several cars off-street; and there is a tall flagpole to welcome visitors.

Despite Collins’ upward career trajectory and her family’s immense wealth, it’s safe to assume that her next home will be even more spectacular given her recent engagement to writer/director Charlie McDowell.