Avison Young team tapped to sell the “unicorn” 7.3-acre historic landmark property

Los Angeles, CA – Avison Young has been exclusively retained to sell an iconic private, 7.3-acre compound overlooking all of Los Angeles at 1999 N. Sycamore Avenue. Including the legendary Yamashiro restaurant and surrounding developable acreage, the one-of-a-kind landmark site is rebranded as Hollywood Mountain. The property could yield offers over $100 million.

The Avison Young team tapped to represent the ownership, SAMAKA LLC, is comprised of Chris Bonbright, Principal and Managing Director, Peter Sherman, Principal and U.S. Capital Markets Leader, and Chase Gordon, Principal – all based in Los Angeles.

“This timeless Hollywood sanctuary is truly an irreplaceable and singular piece of real estate,” said Bonbright. “The property transcends typical real estate underwriting and is meant for a special buyer.”

Sherman added, “Hollywood Mountain presents a rare ownership opportunity and will appeal to a buyer that wishes to own and build around an impeccable Japanese-designed architectural masterpiece, one that is entrenched in Hollywood history and folklore. If only the walls and grounds could talk.”

Some of the unique features include:

• An incomparable 7.3-acre secure, private hilltop 600’ above Hollywood with jet liner panoramic views from the Hollywood sign to the ocean

• A historic 20,432-square-foot Japanese Revival villa built in 1914 by hundreds of artisans, currently housing Yamashiro Restaurant, a highly successful Japanese restaurant run by the current ownership

• The extraordinary development potential to build up to 280,000 sf of improvements surrounding the centerpiece villa and terraced gardens, providing the opportunity for a spectacular family compound, foundation/non-profit venue, or five-star hotel/resort

• An open-air courtyard, Japanese garden, and shrines and temples, some of which are among the oldest structures in California

• A history as rich and storied as Hollywood itself, and the site of the exclusive 400 Club and many famous films and TV shows including “Memoirs of a Geisha”, “Kill Bill: Vol 1”, “Gone in 60 Seconds”, and “I Spy”

• Superior location with immediate access to Hollywood, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills

The team cites other “unicorn” properties that have sold over recent years including the 3.21-acre Victoria Peak in Hong Kong which sold for $1.4 billion in December 2020; the 3.27-acre, 50,000-sf  Magic Castle in Hollywood which sold for $50 million in April 2022;  and Jay Z and Beyonce’s Malibu mansion which sold for $200 million in 2023.

Historical Background:

Yamashiro's history is one of enchantment and resilience. Built in 1914, it was the vision of two brothers who wanted to recreate a mountain palace in Japan, and they did just that.

Inside the mansion, one could find the most awe-inspiring design elements, from the golden lacquered rafters, tipped with bronze dragons, to the lustrous silks and antique tapestries adorning the walls. The mansion was also filled with over 30,000 varieties of plants, waterfalls, goldfish, and a private zoo with exotic birds and monkeys. Yamashiro's 600-year-old pagoda is one of its most iconic structures, providing a glimpse into Japan's ancient architecture. In the late 1920s, it was also home to the 400 Club, an exclusive gathering of Hollywood's A-list celebrities from the Golden Age of Hollywood.