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New York Post

Bob Barker's LA home of 50 years lists for $8.19M following extensive renovations — and the results are dazzling

Come on down — again. The longtime Los Angeles home of the late legendary game show host Bob Barker is making a stylish return to the market with an $8.19 million asking price, following a comprehensive restoration by its new owner, British interior designer Julia Dempster. Mansion Global first reported news of the listing. Dempster purchased the Spanish Colonial Revival estate in April 2024 for $3.78 million — about $800,000 over the asking price — outbidding 15 other interested buyers. Advertisement But for her, it wasn't the celebrity pedigree that sealed the deal. 13 The home is back on the market after a meticulous yearlong renovation by interior designer Julia Dempster, who purchased the property in April 2024 for $3.78 million. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 'I'm British, so I didn't even know who Bob Barker was — that was an added bonus,' she told the outlet. Advertisement Instead, she was drawn to what she described as the 'beautiful original architecture and the arches, the arched doorways, the original ironwork and clay tile roof. I just love Spanish architecture from the 1920s—this is my dream home.' Built in 1929 and located in Hollywood's historic Outpost Estates, the roughly 5,900-square-foot property had been owned by Barker for over half a century. He passed away in August 2023 at the age of 99. 13 Bob Barker at his home in 2000 displaying his many Emmy Awards at home in Los Angeles. CBS via Getty Images He made no major changes to the home during that time, leaving Dempster with both a well-preserved canvas and a host of restoration challenges. Advertisement She undertook the renovation with a reverence for the home's original character. 'Every intervention was made with respect to the original architecture,' she said. 13 Dempster paid $800,000 over asking amid fierce competition. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 13 Though unaware of Barker's fame, Dempster was captivated by the 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival home's original architecture, including arched doorways, ironwork and clay tile roof. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo Advertisement 13 Determined to preserve its historic charm, she restored or replicated original elements where possible, such as the iron balustrade and wood doors. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo In some cases, however, preservation wasn't possible. She had hoped to keep the original wood floors, but water damage forced her to replace most of them — except in the main living room, where the original coffered ceiling, stained-glass window and wood fireplace mantel remain intact. The home's doors were salvaged and painstakingly restored, and even the iron balustrade was reused — though not without modification. 'I used the original ironwork balustrade, but it didn't meet code. So, I removed it and we increased the height using the existing balustrade,' she explained. 13 The home occupies 5,900 square feet. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 13 The updated kitchen. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 13 A sauna. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 13 A study with built-in bookshelves. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo Advertisement While much of the house remains rooted in its architectural past, Dempster introduced modern touches with a light hand. She added Portola Roman clay to the white walls for a warmer texture, and reimagined the 6.5 bathrooms with contemporary finishes like marble shower walls and gold fixtures after concluding the original colorful tiles were too far gone. 'There were lots of things I wanted to keep, but they were just past the point of no return,' she said. The listing, held by George Ouzounian and Jordan Ginsburg of the Agency, describes six bedrooms, including two primary suites. One features an oversized dressing room with a window seat that could be converted into a seventh bedroom. 13 One of six bedrooms. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo Advertisement 13 Some features, like most of the wood flooring and colorful bathroom tile, were beyond repair and replaced with modern updates including marble showers and gold fixtures. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 13 An expansive dressing room. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 13 The backyard with a pool. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo Advertisement Outside, Dempster focused on light-touch improvements to maintain the home's timeless appeal. She repaired broken patio stones around the pool, added a barbecue and repainted the exterior. Even the roof was redone 'in a way that looks like I haven't touched it,' she said.