Tucked at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Hollywood’s historic Outpost Estates sits Villa Dorada, a spectacular 1929 Spanish Revival home with extraordinary architectural provenance—and an even more extraordinary past.
On the market for the first time in 53 years and listed for $7.5 million, the 7,400-square-foot residence has been home to some of Hollywood’s most iconic figures. It was home to Jimmy Van Heusen, the Oscar-winning songwriter behind many of Frank Sinatra’s greatest hits. Sinatra himself lived here with Van Heusen during the height of his Hollywood years, transforming the residence into one of the era’s most legendary bachelor pads. As we near what would have been Sinatra’s 110th birthday on December 12, Villa Dorada re-emerges as a rare piece of Hollywood history—its walls still carrying the imprint of parties, music and old-Hollywood glamour. Before Sinatra’s era, it belonged to Bela Lugosi, the original Dracula, anchoring its story in Hollywood’s early Golden Age.
To prepare the home for its reintroduction, listing agent John Zaffarano — who co-listed the property with Thomas Davila, managing director of RARE Properties Inc at Compass — brought in Vesta Home, a luxury staging and furniture design studio known for elevating architecturally significant properties. Vesta’s goal was to honor the historic architecture while presenting the home through a modern, livable lens.
Stepping inside Villa Dorada feels like entering a time capsule from Los Angeles’ Golden Age. The entry immediately stuns with pristine Magnesite floors in striking Art Deco patterns, followed by intricate ironwork, ornate chandeliers, original fireplaces and a wood-paneled elevator dating back to its construction.
To stage such a pedigreed home for sale requires expert design knowledge and an understanding of the era that shaped it. Vesta entrusted the project to senior designer Ryan Worthington, who approached the space with deep respect for its history.
“From the moment you walk through the front door, you feel the historic beauty in every detail,” says Worthington. “The tiled floors, the chandeliers, the grand windows—every room has a spark of interest. It was important that our design complemented rather than competed with the architecture. I leaned into the home’s rich colors and layered in antiques and textures that speak to its past.”
“This home was truly built for entertaining,” says listing agent John Zaffarano. “Villa Dorada has every hallmark of old Hollywood — the dramatic architecture, the preserved details, the incredible views of L.A. from every angle. And when you remember that Frank Sinatra actually lived here, you can almost picture the parties and the energy that once filled these rooms.”
In the living room, Worthington drew directly from the original fireplace tiles—warm ochres, aged brass, deep woods—to establish the palette. Sculptural seating and low, clean-lined pieces keep the room open, allowing the architectural details to take the lead. A standout combination is the Vesta’s Volos stool, with its walnut veneer and subtle brass edging, paired with the Torri dining chairs in umber velvet. Together, they echo the home’s curves and reference its midcentury influences.
“Our Torri dining chairs strike a balance between modernism and the rounded retro silhouettes that echo throughout the house,” Worthington notes. “They feel fresh, but they also feel right.”
Villa Dorada’s multi-level layout includes intimate terraces, sunlit balconies, and flexible rooms that can shift to fit a buyer’s lifestyle. Worthington’s staging brought clarity and livability to these spaces, giving each room purpose.
“Staging helps buyers envision the life they could have here,” says Zaffarano. “There are so many spaces meant for gathering, dining or simply looking out over Los Angeles. Vesta’s design amplified what was already special and made the home feel of the moment.”
In the primary suite, Vesta blended the original fireplace tile and marble details with contemporary pieces chosen for their shape and simplicity, creating a space that respects the home’s architectural history while functioning for today. Downstairs, the ballroom—once a hub of old Hollywood revelry—was reworked with a cleaner layout to support modern entertaining without losing the room’s original presence.
Outside, Worthington styled the terraces and balconies with pieces that encourage lingering—a morning coffee overlooking the Griffith Observatory, an alfresco lunch above the city, or sunset cocktails as the skyline glows.
Homes like Villa Dorada rarely return to the market — and even fewer preserve this level of architectural integrity and cultural significance. With Vesta’s design, the residence enters its next chapter, elevated for modern living while honoring its old-Hollywood charm.
The future buyer has the opportunity to purchase the home along with all of the custom furnishings, offering a chance to own a piece of Hollywood history while enjoying a home thoughtfully designed for today’s lifestyle and comfort.
If you'd like to bring this level of design intention to your next listing, we’d love to partner with you.