About 11576 Otsego Street
Presenting an excellent opportunity for the modern collector, Hollywood history buff, or developer/builder/end-user: An original portfolio piece by American architect William Kesling, known for designing a historic collection of homes in the Streamline Moderne style (a subtype of Art Deco aptly dubbed "ocean liner" style by the French) throughout Los Angeles. Given its close proximity to studios, there's no surprise that it was originally used as a party haven for Hollywood's tastemakers, but that was just the beginning. In 1980, this iconic residence was purchased by two-time Grammy-winning, Emmy- and Tony-nominated songwriter and art director Allee Willis, and the rest is nothing short of music history. Willis gave the architectural diamond its baby pink hue, but otherwise preserved its original identity while performing a complete restoration. Here, the former Motown Records dreamer would host lavish gatherings and themed jamborees which quickly became notorious throughout Hollywood's social circles, her exclusive guest list including the likes of Cher and Joni Mitchell. The home would also serve as the birthplace of her vast body of work, resulting in a long list of smash-hit songs such as "September" and "Boogie Wonderland" by Earth, Wind & Fire, "Neutron Dance" by The Pointer Sisters, and "I'll Be There for You," the indelible theme song of NBC's hit television show Friends. Over the years, she welcomed legendary recording artists and collaborators to the on-site state-of-the-art music studio (James Brown, Bob Dylan, and Cyndi Lauper are just a few). With an insatiable desire to create, she also sculpted and painted numerous art pieces. Willis was also an avid collector, adorning her home with countless pop culture treasures from the 1950s, '60s, '70s, and '80s. Of her penchant for throwing parties, Willis notably once said in an interview, "I always had a music career, an art career, set designer, film and video, technology. The parties really became the only place I could combine everything." Her storied festivities have been covered in publications as diverse as People, Life, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Rolling Stone. Beneath towering palms, the '50s-inspired grounds feature a bowling-ball garden, private sand beach, and newly built poolside shower for the modern reveler.
