Pickfair embodies the magic, grandeur and heartbreak of Hollywood's Golden Age. It's the tale of Pickfair, the legendary estate of actress Mary Pickford and actor, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. .. a home that was once the beating heart of the film industry's elite. More than just a lavish mansion, Pickfair symbolized success, love and the power of a well-chosen piece of real estate though as with many Hollywood stories, its rise was followed by a dramatic fall.
A Love Story Built in Brick and Stone
In 1919, silent film royalty Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks were Hollywood's ultimate power couple. They were adored by millions, pioneers of the film industry and among the first actors to achieve global fame. Their love story was the stuff of fairytales and when Fairbanks wanted to surprise Pickford with a home worthy of their status, he purchased a hunting lodge on a quiet, rolling hillside in Beverly Hills, an area just beginning to attract LA's elite.
Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks were married to others when they first met, but eventually tied the knot on March 28, 1920 in what was called the "marriage of the century". As a wedding gift, Fairbanks gave his bride,a combination of their last names, an 18-acre estate located at 1143 Summit Drive that would soon become the social epicenter of Hollywood's Golden Age.
With renowned architects Wallace Neff and Horatio Cogswell they transformed the home into a stunning 22-room English-style home featuring lead-glass windows, parquet floors, ceiling frescoes and two grand wings. The estate boasted tennis courts, stables, a Western-style saloon and what is believed to be Los Angeles' first in-ground swimming pool where Pickford was famously photographed in a swimsuit in 1922.
Pickfair's Real Estate Success: Why It Was a Dream Home
At its peak, Pickfair was more than just a home .. it was a symbol of success and aspiration. The couple hosted legendary parties with guests including Charlie Chaplin, Albert Einstein, Amelia Earhart, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Greta Garbo and Winston Churchill.
If you were invited to Pickfair, you had truly arrived in Hollywood.
Though beyond its glamour, Pickfair was a real estate success story for several key reasons.
Prime Location .. Beverly Hills in the 1920s was still being developed, but Pickford and Fairbanks' investment helped transform the neighborhood into the most desirable real estate in Los Angeles. Their presence alone attracted other stars, turning Beverly Hills into the celebrity haven it remains today.
Star Power & Branding .. Their home wasn't just a house .. it was an icon. The couple's fame added immense prestige to the property. Today, we'd call this celebrity-driven real estate value where a home associated with a famous name can command a premium price tag.
Customization & Expansion .. Fairbanks knew that a grant estate needed to stand out. By expanding and remodeling the home to fit their needs, they made sure it was a one-of-a-kind property. Custom features like the massive reception hall and ornate fireplaces added character and luxury.
Timeless Architecture & Amenities .. The estate had everything a star could want .. privacy, vast entertaining spaces and beautifully designed gardens. It was ahead of its time with features that modern luxury buyers still seek today.
Then .. The Decline of Pickfair .. What Went Wrong?
Fairbanks and Pickford were Hollywood's golden couple .. until they weren't. By the late 1920s, Fairbanks' career began to fade and he sought excitement elsewhere. He started traveling frequently and rumors of affairs surfaced. In 1936, Pickford and Fairbanks divorced, shattering the fairytale. After the divorce, Pickford kept Pickfair, but the magic that once filled the estate was gone. While Fairbanks remarried and spent his final years traveling the world with his new wife, Pickford remained at Pickfair though life there was no longer the same. Once the heart of Hollywood's social scene, Pickfair grew quieter over the years. Pickford remarried as well, sharing the home with her husband, Charles "Buddy" Rogers, but the grand parties and glamorous gatherings became a thing of the past. As time went on, the estate became less a symbol of Hollywood's golden age and more a relic of a bygone era, standing as a reminder of a love story that had unraveled.
Pickfair's story is a testament to how a home is more than just bricks and mortar .. it holds the energy of its past. For some, staying in a beloved home brings comfort, while for others, it may be a painful reminder of what was lost. After Pickford passed in 1979, the estate was put on the real estate market. The new buyer was actress and singer, Pia Zadora. She and her billionaire husband, Meshulam Riklis (1923-2019) purchased it in 1988. Riklis was an Israeli financier and businessman.
What happened next stunned Hollywood.
The Controversial Demolition of Pickfair
Soon after purchasing the estate, Zadora demolished the mansion, claiming it was "too dilapidated to restore". She also "alleged" the house was haunted, saying she "experienced strange occurrences inside". The news sent shockwaves through Hollywood. The idea that a property as historic as Pickfair had been completely erased enraged preservationists. It was a reminder that even legendary estates can vanish if not protected.
In its place, Zadora and Riklis built a new, modern mansion with a drastically different aesthetic and lived there until they divorced in 1993. Despite its luxury, the home never carried the same charm or cultural weight. When they later sold the property, it didn't command nearly as much value as expected. Why? Because it was no longer Pickfair. It was just another large estate in Beverly Hills like all the rest.
Pickford's name gave the estate prestige, but once it was gone .. its mystique disappeared as well.
Pickfair's architectural style was mock tudor. Pickfair had 4 levels and 25 rooms. Construction started in 1919 and was completed in 1920. It was demolished 70 years later in 1990.
Final Thoughts: The Legacy of Pickfair
Pickfair was more than just a home .. it was a Hollywood dream. It showcased the power of branding, location and timing in real estate. It also served as a cautionary tale about how real estate must evolve with the times .. or risk losing its relevance. Even today, Pickfair is remembered as one of LA's most famous lost estates, proving that real estate isn't just about land and buildings .. it's about stories, legacies and emotions they evoke.
Would Pickfair have been worth more today if it had been preserved? Almost certainly. In real estate, legacy sells and homes with a story often attract the highest value.
This story on my blog was chosen to be published today because the 98th Academy Award honoring the best films of 2025 is being held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on this date, March 15, 2026. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC hosted by Conan O'Brien.
Enjoy and Remember Pickfair!
adly, it was demolished when purchased by Pia Zadora.
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