A cinematic blend of oil‑wealth grandeur, gangster lore, and music‑industry magnetism – this mansion has stories instead of just walls.
Quick Facts
- Address: 6342 Mulholland Highway, Los Angeles, CA 90068
- Built: 1926
- Architect: John DeLario — celebrated for romantic period revival designs in Hollywoodland; he crafted over 30 homes in the area, including this grand “castle on the lake” for oilman Patrick M. Longan
- Style: Mediterranean / Spanish Colonial Revival — think coffered ceilings, terracotta tile, wrought iron, Moorish archways, and a vintage wood‑paneled elevator
- Size: Around 10,500 sq ft — 9 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms across nine floors; perched on ~2–3 acres with breathtaking views of Lake Hollywood, the Hollywood sign, downtown LA, even the ocean
- Owners of note: Oil baron Patrick Longan (original owner); notorious gangster Bugsy Siegel; pop icon Madonna; fashion designer Leon Max (recent seller)
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All home images are artistic illustrations, not photographs,
used for educational and historical purposes
How Castillo del Lago Came to Be
This estate was first commissioned by oilman Patrick Longan in the heady boom of the 1920s Hollywoodland development — a place where real estate dreams rose as fast as the hills. John DeLario brought it to life in 1926 with romantic, Spanish-inspired architecture that remains wildly cinematic to this day.
Bugsy Siegel — Notorious Owner & Speakeasy Host
In the 1930s, the estate reportedly became a speakeasy and gambling den under gangster Bugsy Siegel’s ownership. Legend says bullet holes from that era still linger in the foyer. The house’s dramatic, chiaroscuro history fits like a robe to its candlelit ambiance
Madonna — Pop Royalty with a Family Touch
In 1993, the Queen of Pop acquired the estate for approximately $5 million and made it her own until 1996 . During her tenure, her brother Christopher Ciccone oversaw the interior — reportedly transforming the grand Andalusian shell into a root‑beer‑red faux Florentine dream . This period overlapped with her Erotica and Bedtime Stories albums — a time powered by pop experimentation and reinvention.
Leon Max & The Modern Market
Fast-forwarding to recent years, the estate changed hands again — fashion designer Leon Max owned it and brought it to market at a staggering $21 million in early 2023, later adjusted to ~$18.9 million . By early 2025, Redfin records show it sold for approximately $18 million .
Context: Hollywood Then & Now
Castillo del Lago isn’t just a house — it’s a microcosm of Hollywood’s evolution:
- 1920s: The golden-age optimism of Hollywoodland
- 1930s–40s: The underbelly of glam — speakeasies and gangland legends
- 1990s: Icons reimagining luxury for a new era of celebrity lifestyle
- 2020s: Historic estates commanding modern trophy-property valuations
Why Castillo del Lago Matters
- Architectural legacy: A dramatic, story-laden example of John DeLario’s romantic vision.
- Obsessed with provenance: Every owner adds a layer — from oil money to organized crime, superstar sparkle, and high-fashion pedigree.
- Scarcity as value: In a city of glamour and land, this estate stands unique. Not just for size, but for story and setting — a gated fortress with 360-degree views and a tower that belongs in legend rather than Zillow.
Stay tuned — I’m uncovering more of Hollywood’s hidden and storied homes.