Elizabeth Taylor's Bel Air Home Will Be Preserved and Expanded

Real estate developer Ardie Tavangarian has announced plans to preserve Elizabeth Taylor’s former Bel Air estate, rather than demolishing it as initially speculated after he acquired the property.

A Legacy of Preservation

Tavangarian purchased the 1.3-acre property, located at 700 Nimes Road, in an off-market deal for $11 million a decade after business mogul Rocky Malhotra bought it for $8 million following Taylor’s death. He intends to approach the project “as though she is my client,” aiming to create a continuation of Elizabeth Taylor and her legacy, according to The New York Post.

Taylor lived at the 7,000-square-foot ranch house for 30 years, from 1981 until her death in 2011. She purchased the six-bedroom estate from Nancy Sinatra for a reported $2 million. The property served as her private sanctuary after her retirement from films, and she collaborated with designer Waldo Fernandez to create elegant interiors, including embroidered silk wallpaper and mirror-backed cabinetry.

Documenting Taylor's Sanctuary

Award-winning photographer Catherine Opie documented the estate’s interiors in an intimate photo series in the six months before Taylor’s passing. These photographs were later compiled into a 2015 book, 700 Nimes Road, and a 2016 exhibition at New York’s Lehmann Maupin gallery.

Planned Renovations and Expansion

Instead of demolition, Tavangarian plans a “rehab” of the existing structure, reinforcing its foundation. He intends to preserve key interiors, including Taylor’s bedroom, closet, and glam room, modernizing them for functionality. A new wing featuring Taylor-related artwork will be added, and approximately 12,000 square feet of interior space will be added, designed in a matching architectural style, bringing the total square footage to three stories.