Perched high in the Hollywood Hills above Los Angeles, Castillo del Lago is one of the city’s most iconic and storied residences. Built in 1926 by the celebrated architect John DeLario, the estate was originally commissioned by oil heiress and philanthropist Aline Barnsdall and Patrick Longden, who had a passion for avant-garde design and the arts.

This was part of the Hollywood Land development when they built the infamous Hollywood sign. 

DeLario, known for his Spanish Revival architecture, infused the 20-room mansion with Mediterranean influences — red-tile roofs, wrought-iron balconies, and hand-painted ceilings — giving the home the aura of a Moorish fortress overlooking Lake Hollywood (hence the name, which means “Castle of the Lake”).

The estate’s silhouette is unmistakable — a nine-story tower rising dramatically from the hillside, blending Gothic romance with Hollywood grandeur. 

For decades, Castillo del Lago changed hands among various wealthy owners such as infamous mobster Bugsy Siegel (rumored to have been his speakeasy and gambling den during the prohibition) and Madonna in recent times. It has also hosted many lavish gatherings typical of Old Hollywood, with legends like Errol Flynn and Greta Garbo rumored to have attended soirées under its vaulted ceilings.

It has also been used is films such as
"Beverly Hills Cop".