House at 1654 Doheny Drive

Some Hollywood houses are famous for their locations, others for their architecture, and many simply for who has lived there. The three-story, single-family home located at 1654 North Doheny Drive, Los Angeles, California 90069 offers a bit of all three.

Built in 1967, the house has three bedrooms and three baths and covers approximately 3,699 square feet. As a scenic venue, it provides unrivalled views of Los Angeles and Hollywood from a wooded and steep Beverly Hills slope. As an example of building design, it has a low-profile boxy Spanish-style look that blends right into the landscape, grown over with vines and tropical foliage.

However, as a tourist attraction, it has a checkered past. Hollywood madam Alex Adams allegedly used it as a brothel for several years prior to her arrest in 1988. Then it was owned by Shannen Maria Doherty, an American actress who lived there while starring as Brenda Walsh in the hit TV series "Beverly Hills, 90210" (19901994). Doherty allegedly trashed the property and moved out in the dead of the night, still owing $14,000 in overdue rent.

In March 2007, the house at 1654 Doheny Drive was sold for $3.5 million. In August 2010, it was resold for $3.2 million, reflecting lower property values in the area. For those who enjoy touring areas where the rich and famous live, this is a prime destination, sandwiched between the homes of two well known Hollywood producers. On the east side is a property owned by Benny Medina, who produced the hit television series, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" starring Will Smith. On the north side is the residence of Joanne Horowitz, producer of the 2004 film "Beyond the Sea," starring Kevin Spacey.