A rare Old Hollywood mansion, once associated with the late real estate investor Paris Nourafchan, has been listed for $16.9 million, coinciding with a contentious legal dispute over his deceased brother Richard's estate. The legal battle, playing out in California Superior Court, involves accusations of forgery, fraud, and elder abuse, reportedly stemming from events leading up to Richard Nourafchan's death in 2024.
While the Holmby Hills home at 1196 Brooklawn Drive is not directly named in the suit, the ongoing legal conflicts between Paris Nourafchan and his nephew, Nicholas Rahban, could impact the property's sale. Both Paris and Rahban claim to have obtained valid will and trust documents from Richard shortly before he fell into a coma from which he never recovered. Paris's estate continues the legal action initiated by him before his own passing last year.
Competing Claims Over Richard Nourafchan's Estate
Both parties have presented competing wills and trusts to the court, each asserting their legitimacy while accusing the other of employing underhanded tactics. Court documents filed by Paris Nourafchan's side allege that Rahban manipulated online make-a-will kits and photoshopped his uncle's signature and initials. Conversely, Rahban's filings suggest that Richard harbored deep animosity towards his brother Paris, recounting an incident at a bat mitzvah where Richard allegedly refused to participate with his brothers, calling them "crooks."
Paris Nourafchan's filings reportedly characterize Rahban as an opportunistic "family black sheep" who has faced business setbacks and is allegedly attempting to seize Richard's entire fortune. Paris's stated intention was for the estate to be divided among Paris, another brother George, and other relatives. Rahban, however, is seeking double the estate's value, estimated to be in the "tens of millions," from Paris personally, citing allegations of elder abuse and forgery.
A Historic Property with Hollywood Ties
The mansion, known as Villa d’Este, is a 6,477-square-foot Spanish Colonial home built in 1929. It features a separate 4,000-square-foot theater, which was used by Clint Eastwood for a scene in his 1984 film "Firefox." The estate sits on 1.6 acres and boasts intricate details, including a hand-carved living room ceiling that replicates work done for William Randolph Hearst's San Simeon estate. The property has a history of celebrity occupancy and social gatherings, with past renters including Stevie Nicks and visitors such as John Wayne and Shirley Temple.
The mansion was originally commissioned by Winfield Sheehan, head of Fox Film Corp., during the studio's transition to sound films. The home's architecture was designed by Burton Schutt, who also worked on the nearby Bel-Air hotel.
Market Activity and Legal Ramifications
Marc Nourafchan, Paris Nourafchan's son and one of his heirs, stated that the mansion is not directly tied to the legal dispute but acknowledged that the family conflict could create a "cloud" over its sale. Estate planning attorneys not involved in the case noted that if Paris was named individually in the lawsuit, his personal assets could potentially be subject to claims by the plaintiff. The property was initially listed in the spring for $18.9 million and has since seen a $2 million price reduction. The parties involved are scheduled to return to court in January.
