A celebrated screenwriter and producer from Hollywood is offering his century-old Los Angeles residence on the market for $2.1 million. This iconic home comes with an appealing incentive: a property tax reduction for new owners dedicated to preserving its historical essence.
Bruce Marshall Romans, known for his role as a co-executive producer and writer for the surprise hit on Amazon Prime Video, “Spider-Noir,” featuring Nicolas Cage as a veteran superhero turned cynical private investigator in 1930s New York, acquired this historic gem located at 130 N Catalina Street for $1.92 million in 2022.
Erected in 1925, the Monsignor O’Brien House exemplifies Mediterranean and Spanish Revival architecture and gained recognition as a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument in 2007.
Romans expressed his initial affection for both the residence and a special someone with whom he envisioned sharing his life. However, circumstances evolved. The relationship concluded, and the home proved excessive for just himself and his small dog, Romans shared with Gimme Shelter.
“The space is simply too vast for me,” admitted Romans, noting his decision to transition into another property he owns within Los Angeles.
At 3,103 square feet, the Catalina crib comes with four bedrooms and three baths — and sits on just .17 of an acre. Original details include some of the light fixtures, arched French doors and windows, a sunken living room with a woodburning fireplace, wedding cake crown moldings, high ceilings and hardwood floors.
“I had been looking for one of those romantic old Hollywood homes that you see in the movies,” Romans said.
“I’m from Kentucky and went to architecture school for a time, and California has the best collection of these homes. But every one I went to had something wrong — the stairs had been torn out or the original floors and crown moldings had been stripped and the homes’ original charm and design was gone — except for the Catalina house.”
When he walked in, he said: “I was immediately blown away.”
“There’s this beautiful foyer, and 12-foot-high ceilings, and an old-fashioned, step-down living room with a huge fireplace. I was immediately taken by the layout, and I saw that the house had all the original details that are usually missing,” Romans said.
“After the fall of the stock market in 1929, developers stopped spending money on that kind of thing,” Romans added. “It’s unbelievable, and the home still has 3-inch white tiger oak floors, which is extremely rare.”
In addition, Romans said, the butler’s pantry still has “old school swing doors,” which allowed staff carrying trays of food to move easily from the kitchen to the formal dining room. There’s even a brass plate on the dining room floor that once held a button that the head of the household could step on when dining, so servants could know when to bring or take away courses.
The main bedroom also comes with a walk-in closet and a dressing room.
“It’s bigger than my first apartment. There is just detail after detail,” Romans said of the bedroom, adding that the architect, Clarence J. Smale, designed homes for silent movie stars including Buster Keaton.
“This guy was unbelievable, and the draftsperson was a woman, which was unheard of at the time,” Romans said.
Edith Northman “then broke out on her own to become one of the first prominent female architects in the country,” Romans said — and the first woman registered architect in LA.
“The home is riddled with history. It’s like living in a piece of art,” Romans said.
The backyard also features a patio, a vine-covered pergola and a grassy area.
“It feels like something out of the south of France,” said listing broker is Naomi Selick of Douglas Elliman.