Historic
GREYSTONE MANSION GROUNDS
National Register of Historic Places, 1976
Beverly Hills, California
Inspired by the original landscape for Greystone by Paul Thiene, the 6 acre Rose Garden project is part of the ongoing renovation of Greystone to the historic period of the 1920s. The property was built in 1929 by Edward Doheny, the oil magnate, and ironically oil seepage continues on the lower part of the property. The project encompasses the Doheny Road treescape, driveway entrances, the Rose Garden and the large wooded slope and walkway from the Main House to the Stables. WHITIN DESIGN WORKS' project team included an historic structures consultant. The property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and is a popular location for design showcases and filming.
The Doheny Road frontage is transformed by a planting of large Oak trees (Quercus virginiana), hedges (Ilex spp.) and ground cover, creating a street presence appropriate to the estate. Both driveway entrances are enhanced with deciduous accent trees (Chioanthus retusus, Magnolia stellata, Nyssa sylvatica) identified in historic photographs of the property.
Renovation of the formal Rose Garden was completed in 2011 and features fabrication of the original driveway light fixtures, removal and relaying of original brick and stone walks and renovation of a historic rose pergola used on the Main House terrace. To provide for increased public use, a new visitor-serving parking lot was added at the Greenhouse. A Park Maintenance trailer is temporarily located in the parking court at the Stables awaiting future renovation of the Stables for education uses.
Renovations of the Greenhouse, "Dormitory" building and Stables are identified for donor-sponsored gifting. These buildings and surrounding gardens will be programmed for public uses such as horticultural classes, afternoon teas, summer camp and picnicking in future renovations. The large slope connecting the Stables to the Main House is planned as a seasonal woodland with botanical labels and evergreen tree species to screen off-site views.