California hot spot, Venice Beach, has drawn celebrities, surfers, bohemians and sun worshippers since the beginning of the 20th century. Although it started out as a sedate, seaside-resort town, today it’s a whirlwind of activity, attracting those who enjoy having access to the 24/7 party atmosphere readily available right around the corner. A recent addition to the Venice Beach real estate market is the sophisticated, legendary mansion of Dhani Harrison, the son of Beatles guitarist, George Harrison., priced at $3.99 million.
Fitness aficionados
There’s never a dull moment in Venice Beach. Its wide beach attracts surfing enthusiasts, and its storied two-and-a-half-mile promenade (aptly called the Ocean Front Walk) attracts tourists from all over the world, drawn by its vendors, art, and quirky performers.
While today it’s mostly known for its surfing culture, Muscle Beach Venice was largely responsible for the booming interest in weight training, which began in the 1950s, and the Vic Tanny gym chain was also founded in Venice.
Likewise, beach sports gained huge popularity on Venice Beach from handball courts, volleyball, paddle tennis, a bike trail and a skate-dancing pavillion. After a day spent at the beach, there is a lively Venice nightlife offering an array of upscale restaurants, bars, art galleries and shops for every taste, interest and pocketbook.
Venetian inspiration
Originally called the Venice of America, due to the drainage canals dug in the 1920s by the town’s original developer, tobacco-baron Abbott Kinney, a wide-range of plush residences line the canals today, as was Kinney’s original goal. Many are used as year-round homes and others are used primarily as vacation getaways.
Celebrity home featured in Architectural Digest
Musician Dhani Harrison has recently decided to sell his glamorous canal home, which enjoys sunrise views from the rear balcony, and sunset views from the west, 360-degree views from the rooftop terrace and water views from the canal-side terrace and decks. Measuring in at 2,826 sq. ft., the two-bedroom, three-bath home has an open-floor plan with soaring 15-ft. ceilings. Second-level glass walls and open first-floor ceilings bathe the interior with sunlight, as does the large skylight above the wide spiral staircase. Updated in a crisp contemporary style, the home offers multiple choices for entertaining on all three levels and was recently appeared in Architectural Digest .
Like father, like son
Dhani, the only child of George and Olivia Harrison, has been writing and singing professionally since 2001. He has completed a number of albums, and since 2013 has been composing film scores with his writing partner Paul Hicks. They have written the scores for Netflix’s Dogs and HBO’s four-part documentary series The Case Against Adnan Syed . He has recently decided to sell his Venice home, priced at $3.99 million with co-listing agents, Nicholas Sandler and Bennett Hirsch of The Agency, Beverly Hills.
Photo Credit: The Agency