Hollywood party palace makes a splash along Santa Monica beach

Often associated with its ownership by actor Cary Grant and use as a beach party house, this Santa Monica home’s story starts with silent screen star Norma Taldmadge, who had the place built in 1930.

Since then, the roster of people who’ve lived or stayed at the oceanfront house includes such notables as Princess Grace of Monaco, composer Irving Berlin, business magnate Howard Hughes, Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton and actress Sharon Tate.

Among “improvements” made along the way, the paranoid Hughes had barbed wire installed across the top of the fencing when he lived there. It has since been removed.

Now the French Normandy compound is up for sale at $11.995 million.

Encompassing a quarter-acre lot, the property is entered through a front motor court with a four-car garage. A gate opens to a courtyard with a fountain.

The 5,530 square feet of living space off the formal foyer contains a circular staircase leading to a formal living room, a dining room, a sunroom overlooking the back garden, a wine cellar, a butler’s pantry and an eat-in kitchen. The second floor master bedroom suite overlooks the ocean and includes a sitting area, an office, dressing areas and two bathrooms. There are four more second-story bedrooms including staff quarters.

The back yard includes covered and open patios, a heated pool, a paddle tennis/pickle ball court and a raised viewing deck.

Jade Mills and Tiffany Mills of Coldwell Banker are the listing agents.

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Twitter: @laurenebeale

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