Brentwood Manse Hits Market for $45 Million

Saeed Kohanoff and his son Justin Kohanoff built the family’s dream home in Brentwood.

Now, they’re shopping 822 North Kenter Avenue for $45 million, after the elder Kohanoff’s two youngest children left home for college.

“We built it for ourselves and then my siblings decided to leave the state for university, so my father said, ‘It’s going to be just me and my wife. It’s too big for two people to live in,’” Justin Kohanoff said of the decision to sell.

The Kohanoffs purchased the property 13 years ago, paying $2.6 million for the land. It took several years to draft the designs and then obtain approvals for the over 21,000-square-foot home. That time also factors in a switch in the design from Mediterranean-inspired to a modern farmhouse, which was a decision influenced by Justin prior to construction starting.

The family first tested the property off market over the past month, with Justin noting “good feedback” from prospective buyers.

Originally, the home was designed as a place for the family to entertain and host large gatherings. There’s plenty to accommodate that with an underground 20-car garage, 300-foot driveway, pickle ball court, gym, elevator, two wine cellars, commercial-grade fire hydrant and lots of outdoor space. That includes about 600 olive and Ficus trees that comprise the landscaping.

Inside is a 2,000-square-foot master bedroom, nine en-suite bedrooms, 16 bathrooms and Italian cabinetry and stones.

The younger Kohanoff, who is an agent with brokerage Atlas in Beverly Hills, is co-listing the property with Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California’s Aaron Kirman and Shelton Wilder.

The Kohanoffs own more than 10 gas stations in the area, with the father and son also owners of various commercial properties. They’ve got their eyes on future single-family projects in Malibu, Pacific Palisades and Brentwood, but Justin said those are likely still five years off from now.

More recently, the family turned heads when they proposed replacing their burned-down Shell gas station in the Palisades with an eight-story apartment building consisting of as many as 100 units.

Justin said the apartments are “just an idea right now,” although the family aims to begin the permitting process “soon.” They’re waiting on what happens with the broader community first.

“We’re not going to build anything until we see major construction going on in the Palisades,” he said.