Calling Mr. Carson: Uber-wealthy turn to estate managers to oversee mansion staff

Big houses incur big costs — and require a huge staff; and someone to manage that staff. Across the U.S., there are about 1,000 estate managers keeping the many houses — city, beach and country — of the nation’s elite, the New York Times reported.

The Times spoke with Bryan Peele, 42, who maintains the Los Angeles and Malibu homes of a wealthy L.A. investment manager. Peele said he does everything from light handywork to color-coordinating his boss’ keys.

But unlike his fictional counterpart on the hit World War II-era British television series “Downton Abbey,” the line between classes blurs often in Los Angeles. Peele has grown close to the family he works for, even attending the dance recitals of his employer’s daughter.

“It’s not a job I recommend that a lot of people pursue,” David Gonzalez, founder of the Domestic Placement Network, which places estate managers with extremely wealthy individuals, told the Times. “It requires the ability to compartmentalize — it’s your professional duty to sublimate your own needs.” [NYT] — Guelda Voien