He revived a speakeasy where Hollywood partied

Gary Mkrtichyan grew up near a house shrouded in rumors of secret celebrity parties, and he vowed to own the property one day. He purchased it in 2022 for $2.5 million as the founder of design firm Opus Builders. Then he spent $3 million restoring the estate when he stumbled across a hidden door.

Q: How did you end up buying this house? “I grew up in the neighborhood and knew the family who owned the house. I told them, ‘If you ever sell, let me know.’ Eventually, they did. I was fascinated by the property. It was built by architect Paul Williams for Alexander Pantages, only the story goes that [this vaudeville performer] didn’t want his name tied to the house, so it was put under his attorney’s name. It’s rumored to be where Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, and other Hollywood celebrities came to party, though I can’t confirm.”

Q: What was the renovation like? “It was a three-year journey involving over 100 carpenters, refinishing specialists, tile artisans, and glass workers. We studied the original building records and renovated the first floor true to the era while adding subtle updates. I named the house the Gatsby House because it reminded me of the scene when he says, ‘open the gates’ for Daisy. It has that same dramatic, old-world feel.”

Q: How did you discover the speakeasy? “The prior owners never mentioned it, and we couldn’t tell what it was until we started researching. There’s a hidden door under the staircase that leads downstairs. When we first saw it, it looked like storage. But once cleared, it revealed a 400-square-foot space with a fireplace and a bar. We added dark green cabinets and velvet seating. Once the renovation was finished, we threw a Gatsby-themed party there, with live performers and a packed house. It felt like bringing the space full circle.”

Q: Has there been interest from buyers? “A lot, including celebrity clients. But it’s hard to let go. I told my agents the other day I’ve been thinking about keeping it.”

Q: What advice would you give to investors who want to tackle a project like this? “Don’t cut corners. Even for the hinges and handles, we refused [to use] prefab. That consistency matters. But I’m a perfectionist. It’s easy to get carried away.”