In Benedict Canyon, Saudi Prince Abdulaziz ibn Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz al Saud is causing a stir with his neighbors as he plans to build a 60,000 square foot mega-compound on three parcels of land.
Totaling 5.2 acres at the end of Tower Lane, Saudi Prince Abdulaziz ibn Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz al Saud’s planned project is terrifying his wealthy neighbors. Led by Benedict Canyon resident Martha Karsh, whose husband is the cofounder of Oaktree Capital Management and a billionaire, neighbors have fought the mega-compound and recently the LA Planning Department has said the prince will need a full environmental review before he can begin construction.
The land, which the prince wants to build on, was once home to a Wallace Neff-design Spanish Colonial built by War and Peace director King Vidor. Jon Peters, producer of Rain Man, tore it down in a fit of pique during a nasty divorce.
Due to a 2005 ordinance, there are 12 feet height limits to retaining walls. The day before the ordinance went into effect, Jon Peters received a permit to build a retaining green wall that was more than 20 feet tall. In addition, before he tore the house down, Peters constructed a giant below-ground showroom to house his Ferrari collection. According to old listings for the property, the showroom can fit 14 cars.
Peters was once friends with Martha Karsh and she asked him to let her do some work that required equipment to be run through his driveway. One day when he came home, he found 20 trucks in his front yard and from that day on, the friendship was over and “it was war.” He also claims the Karshes attempted to purchase his property, but he refused to sell it to them.
Peters was the one who commissioned plans for a mega-compound from one of Los Angeles’ most prolific mansion architects, Richard Landry. When the prince purchased the land, he got the plans included in the package.
Source: Curbed Los Angeles
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