The Santa Monica home where great intellectuals such as Albert Einstein hung out is now up for sale for $4.495 million. According to LA Curbed, this is the first time that the house will be for sale since the 1970s. It was believed to be one of the favorite hangouts of famous personalities like Thomas Mann, Greta Garbo, Peter Lorre, Theodore Adorno and many others between the World Wars. These fine intellectuals, writers, artists, musician and theater actors fled their homes to end up on the west side of Los Angeles.
The home was owned by a couple named Berthold and Salka Viertel. Salka was originally from Austria-Hungary and was an actress. Berthold, on the other hand, was a writer and a director. In 1928 they moved to Los Angeles with their three sons. Berthold was hired to write for FW Murnau, Salka's old theater buddy. According to the report, they then moved to this Santa Monica home and the rent was then $900 for the first three months and $150 for the succeeding months. By the year 1933, they bought the house for $7,500 during the time when the Long Beach earthquake temporarily decreased the housing market.
During their time at this house, Salka would hold afternoon salons with different guests which included Mann, Brecht and Albert Einstein, who was on a visit to Caltech. It was also reported that she allowed Christopher Isherwood live in the garage apartment along with his lover Aldous Huxley.
According to the listing in Redfin, the house has five bedrooms and two and a half baths. It was beautifully remodeled by Lewin Wertheimer. The home is full of history and charm. It features a generous cook's kitchen and a butler's pantry. The home also features beautiful cabinetry and countertops of aged marble. The lush gardens beautifully compliment the home. It also has a two-story guest house with two bedrooms and baths.
