1920s Mediterranean Revival in Los Feliz with Old Hollywood pedigree asking $5.25M

Now up for grabs in Los Feliz is a fanciful time capsule from Hollywood’s heady early days.

Located north of Los Feliz Boulevard on Cromwell Avenue, the Mediterranean Revival estate was built in 1921 for Victor Schertzinger, a director of silent and sound films, screenwriter, and composer credited with bringing music to the movie screen.

The home was designed by Frank L. Meline, the (unlicensed) architect of numerous homes in moneyed enclaves such as Beverly Hills, Bel Air, and Hancock Park, while its lush gardens and landscaping were done by renowned landscape architect Mark Roy Daniels, whose body of work includes Pebble Beach’s “17 Mile Drive” and the layout of Bel Air.

Per the listing, the property’s main residence measures 6,655 square feet, contains five bedrooms and five baths, and is packed with extravagant details. Among the home’s notable features: scalloped doorways, coffered woodwork, ornate moldings, wrought iron sconces, carved marble fireplaces, a sizable ceiling fresco, and a “full pipe organ relocated from the Monterey Theatre in 1925.”

On the palm-tree-shaded grounds, you’ll find a lute-shaped pool, pool or guest house, tiled fountains, and a lovely dining pavilion with kitchen.

Asking price for the .67-acre property is $5.25 million, which presumably reflects the need for restoration. However, the listing notes, “recently completed plans to restore this magical estate by Richard Manion Architecture Inc. are available.”

Upper left: Pipe organ. Upper right: Fireplace detail. Lower left: Ornate moldings and wrought iron. Lower right: Marble-topped sink inlaid with lotus design.

• 4120 Cromwell Ave [Compass]