Fight continues over future of Bob and Dolores Hope estate

A tug of war continues between Linda Hope and Los Angeles City Council Member David Ryu over the 1939 Toluca Lake property of Bob and Dolores Hope, which is owned by the Dolores Hope Trust.

The late couple’s daughter has been trying to sell the five-acre estate but has been unsuccessful following an emergency legislation introduced by Ryu in September, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The council member introduced legislation to have the property named as a historic-cultural monument after a buyer in escrow obtained a demolition inspection permit for the estate’s outlying buildings.

Los Angeles City Council is to vote on monumental status next Tuesday.

The 14,876-square-foot home on Moorpark Street was first listed in 2013 for $27.5 million. It has since been split with 3 acres listed for $12 million and the remaining 2 acres at $10 million. Craig Strong of John Aaroe Group has the listing.

Hope said her parents wanted the property to be sold so the proceeds could to the Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation, which supports veterans and the underprivileged.

The city’s Cultural Heritage Commission already voted against granting the property monument status in November but the decision went back to the City Council. The Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council also voted against the historic designation, the Times reported.

Ryu has offered a compromise asking that only the exterior of the main house and two of the surrounding 5 acres be considered a landmark.

Residential monuments require a review for potential alterations and the city can initiate an up to 360-day review stay on issued demolition permits, which Hope told the Times would limit the pool of buyers.

“Why does he want to preserve the house when his own commission felt it’s not worthy to be preserved?” Hope said. [LAT] — Subrina Hudson