Pickfair

Pickfair was a legendary estate in Beverly Hills, California, that served as the home and social epicenter for silent film stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks following their marriage in 1920. The property became synonymous with Hollywood's Golden Age glamour, hosting an unparalleled array of celebrities, royalty, and political dignitaries. Its transformation from a modest hunting lodge into a grand estate symbolized the rise of American cinema and established Beverly Hills as a premier enclave for the entertainment elite. For decades, it was considered the most famous private residence in the world, a monument to the stardom of its owners.

History

The property's origins trace to a hunting lodge built in 1911 for Lee Allen Phillips, situated on a rural hilltop overlooking the Los Angeles Basin. In 1919, Pickford and Fairbanks purchased the rustic structure as a weekend retreat, shortly before their highly publicized wedding. They immediately commissioned extensive renovations under the direction of architect Horace G. Trumbauer, transforming it into a sprawling manor. The estate's name, a portmanteau of their surnames, was coined by the press and quickly entered the public lexicon. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, it became the focal point for Hollywood society, with its famed parties attended by figures like Charlie Chaplin, Albert Einstein, and the Prince of Wales. Following the couple's divorce in 1936, Mary Pickford retained ownership, living there until her death in 1979.

Architecture and grounds

Designed in the style of an English country house, the estate featured a white stucco exterior, a steeply pitched slate roof, and numerous leaded-glass windows. The interior was noted for its grandeur, including a two-story Great Hall with a massive fireplace, a formal dining room, and a library. The grounds, which eventually expanded to over 18 acres, were meticulously landscaped and included expansive gardens, a large swimming pool, tennis courts, and a private lake. Later modifications by subsequent owners, including Buddy Rogers and Pia Zadora, significantly altered the original structure and pastoral setting, adding modern amenities and reducing the acreage.

Notable residents and guests

As the home of "Hollywood's Royal Couple," the estate welcomed an extraordinary roster of international guests. Regular visitors included fellow film pioneers like Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, and George Bernard Shaw. World leaders such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Charles Lindbergh were entertained there, alongside royalty like King Edward VIII and Maharaja of Kapurthala. After Pickford's death, subsequent residents included her third husband, Buddy Rogers, and later, singer and actress Pia Zadora and her husband, financier Meshulam Riklis, who purchased the estate in 1988.

Cultural significance

Pickfair was more than a residence; it was a powerful symbol of the newfound cultural influence of Hollywood. It represented the culmination of the American Dream for two iconic stars who rose from modest backgrounds to global fame and immense wealth. The estate's social gatherings were major media events, shaping the public's perception of celebrity lifestyle and cementing Beverly Hills as the home of the stars. It frequently appeared in newsreels and fan magazines, making its name and image familiar to millions worldwide. The property's legacy is deeply intertwined with the history of United Artists, the studio co-founded by Pickford, Fairbanks, Chaplin, and D.W. Griffith.

Later years and demolition

Following Mary Pickford's death, the estate entered a period of decline and controversy. New owners Pia Zadora and Meshulam Riklis obtained permits to demolish the original structure in 1990, citing seismic concerns and the high cost of restoration, a decision that sparked significant public outcry and preservation debates. They replaced it with a larger, modern mansion of Mediterranean style, which itself was later extensively remodeled. The demolition of the original house was viewed by many as the end of an era, a tangible loss of a key landmark from the silent film period. The site, though vastly changed, remains a notable property within the exclusive Beverly Hills enclave.

Category:Houses in Beverly Hills, California Category:Demolished buildings and structures in California Category:History of cinema