Arden Villa is a Palladian-style estate located in Pasadena, California, designed by the architectural firm Marston & Van Pelt in 1913 for William Kennon Jewett. Arden Villa has gained fame not only for its architectural splendor but also for its appearances in various movies and TV shows, earning it the nickname "Dynasty Mansion" due to its association with the popular 1980s TV drama Dynasty.
| Arden Villa | |
|---|---|
  Arden Villa Location within the Los Angeles metropolitan area  Arden Villa Arden Villa (California)  Arden Villa Arden Villa (the United States) | |
| General information | |
| Type | House |
| Architectural style | Palladian Revival |
| Location | 1145 Arden Rd., Pasadena, California |
| Coordinates | 34°07′59″N 118°07′28″W / 34.13297°N 118.12456°W |
| Completed | 1913 |
| Governing body | Private |
| Grounds | 2.44 acres (0.99 ha) |
Arden Villa was also used in the classic 1980's US TV series Knight Rider, as the base HQ for the fictional non-profit organization known as the Foundation for Law and Government. Knight Rider was an action drama series featuring a lone crime fighter Michael Knight and his artificially intelligent talking car called KITT.
Over the years, Arden Villa has become a sought-after location for the entertainment industry, appearing in various movies, TV shows, and commercials.[1]
History edit
Built in 1913 for William Kennon Jewett, a mining tycoon and railroad heir, Arden Villa was a statement of opulence and luxury during its time. Originally spanning nine acres, the estate was gradually subdivided over the years, reducing its size to 2.5 acres by the 1950s.[2]
The property has since changed ownership several times, most notably in May 2013 when it was sold for an unprecedented $28 million, setting a new benchmark for home prices in the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys.[citation needed]
The home, with 2.44 acres, is listed for sale in 2023.[3]
In popular culture edit
Arden Villa was used as the setting for the memorable 1983 lily pond catfight scene between the characters Krystle Carrington and Alexis Colby in the 1980s prime time soap opera Dynasty.[4]
It was the primary location for the video of Oasis's "Don't Look Back in Anger", filmed in December, 1995.[5]
References edit
- ^ "Arden Villa - Pasadena's Infamous and Private Grand Estate". Pasadena Magazine. 13 May 2019.
- ^ McClain, James (22 February 2019). "Pasadena's record-breaking Arden Villa lists at a massive loss". DIRT.
- ^ "1145 Arden Rd, Pasadena, CA 91106 - 9 beds/7 baths". Redfin.
- ^ "Real Estate > Homes & Mansions > Dynasty Mansion". TV Acres. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
- ^ "PRODUCTIONS 1995". Nigel Dick – Director. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.