Thank you for your interest in the world-renowned Houdini Estate, America’s most famous historic house in private hands.
The following is what you need to know to select a Rate at the end of this letter.
THE MYSTIQUE OF THE HOUDINI ESTATE EXPLAINED
This centrally located, $20 million private landmark can be all yours short term. Thanks to our natural water spring, our gardens are fresh and green all year. This iconic property, beautifully decorated as per Houdini’s era, provides an exclusive way to escape the banality of the usual hotel or banquet hall. The Houdini Estate has so many areas, you can also hold the after-party.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
You will experience the magic of century-old trees in five acres of romantic gardens tended by 15 gardeners, intriguing artwork in unexpected places, seasonally curated flowers, fabulous sunny and shady photographic vistas, nine outdoor terraced levels for entertainment, meals, and ceremonies, hours of hiking trails, hidden passageways, a three-story waterfall, a swimming pool, and outdoor and indoor spas.
Adding a charm are brilliantly colored koi, regal peacocks, curious turtles, giant bullfrogs, stately blue herons, and wild deer and their babies. Your guests will never be bored. All of this in the central Laurel Canyon, two traffic lights from Hollywood Blvd. When your celebration is at the legendary Houdini Estate, don't expect empty chairs - people do come and will remember your Houdini event for a lifetime. (Click articles at The Wall Street Journal at https://goo.gl/rVaQVt, Newsbreak at https://bit.ly/3QqdgMu, and Yahoo Travel at https://yhoo.it/3zAjFyo)
SHOWINGS
We receive many requests to see The Houdini Estate, but this private landmark rarely opens its gates to people just visiting. Therefore, we request a $100 donation to send someone knowledgeable about the property and event possibilities to open the gates to your group of any size for an exclusive tour. Your $100 goes to an IRS-recognized charity and is also credited toward your rent. Bring comfortable shoes and reserve an hour for the showing. We are kid- and pet-friendly.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE
We provide the Estate with nine bathrooms and property support staff for the event; there are no up-sales. You have the creative freedom to bring your caterers, musicians, equipment, and rentals. We can include tables and chairs for 100 at no charge. We’re happy to suggest vendors and plans for your event.
2023 RENTAL RATES
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO CHARITY
You get the entire Estate for up to an eight-hour event with a night included. Count hosts, guests, vendors, staff, and performers in your total approximate headcount.
Friday and Saturday
Rate #1 - Up to 100 people, $19,609
Rate #2 - 101 to 125 people, $21,789
Rate #3 - 126 to 150 people, $23,969
Rate #4 - 151 to 175 people, $26,149
Rate #5 - 176 to 200 people, $28,329
Rate #6 - 201 to 225 people, $30,509
Rate #7 - 226 to 250 people, $32,689
Rate #8 - 251 to 275 people, $34,869
Rate #9 - 276 to 300 people, $37,049
Rate #10 - 301 to 350 people, $41,409
Rate #11 - 351 to 400 people, $45,769
Rate #12 - 401 to 450 people, $50,129
Rate #13 - 451 to 500 people, $54,489
Sunday to Thursday
Rate #14 - Up to 25 people, $6,529
Rate #15 - 26 to 50 people, $8,709
Rate #16 - 51 to 75 people, $10,889
Rate #17 - 76 to 100 people, $13,069
Rate #18 - 101 to 125 people, $15,249
Rate #19 - 126 to 150 people, $17,429
Rate #20 - 151 to 175 people, $19,609
Rate #21 - 176 to 200 people, $21,789
Rate #22 - 201 to 225 people, $23,969
Rate #23 - 226 to 250 people, $26,149
Rate #24 - 251 to 275 people, $28,329
Rate #25 - 276 to 300 people, $30,509
Rate #26 - 301 to 350 people, $34,869
Rate #27 - 351 to 400 people, $39,229
Rate #28 - 401 to 450 people, $43,589
Rate #29 - 451 to 500 people, $47,949
There is a $250 penalty charge for each additional person actually attending the event above the rate you contracted for and a charge of 10% of the rental amount for each extra hour beyond eight hours the event overextends. Also, there is a 10% surcharge of the rental amount for national holidays, Valentine's Day, Easter, and related weekends for overtime personnel.
CHECK-IN AND CHECK OUT
You are welcome to arrive at 3 p.m. to prepare The Estate, have your celebration, and enjoy the property until departure at midnight. If you need additional time, you may book a half day or early access at 11 a.m. for half of the daily stay rate.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Cleaning: $475
Extra rollaway bed: $99 each
Outdoor heater service: $99 each
Pool heating: $99 each day, starting the day before.
City tax: 14% ONLY if you stay the night and for the overnight portion, not of the event.
PARKING
The three-gated Estate can park 70 cars for a typical gathering and up to 150 cars with a nearby valet. For more than 250 people, use shuttles, Uber, and Lyft.
MUSIC
Please note that outdoor music of moderate volume is allowed until 10 p.m. per city ordinance, with a semi-silent disco afterward.
Music can be played indoors until 1:30 a.m.
LIVE BAND performance surcharge: $5,000
OUTDOOR AMPLIFICATION at the Estate is limited to 90 decibels.
ADDITIONAL RENTALS
Weekend night for up to 15 people at the property at any one time: $3,750 (Friday - Saturday)
Weekday night for up to 15 people: $1,750 (Sunday - Thursday)
Each person beyond 15: $250.
An additional event during the rental term is half of the main event's rental rate.
Eight people can comfortably sleep in the house’s four bedrooms.
Inquire if you need nearby houses to lodge guests.
WINTER LOW-BUDGET OPTIONS
Events receive a 20% discount in January, 15% discount in February, 10% discount in March. In addition, weekdays are heavily discounted year-round.
PAYMENT
A 10% reservation fee, with a $2,000 minimum, holds your desired dates and is cancellable within three business days. After that, a 10% surcharge applies for the cancellation or postponement of a reserved date. The first third of the remaining balance is due 45 days after paying the reservation down payment, and the second third is due 120 days before your arrival. The last payment is due no later than 90 days before the event. Events occurring within 45 days of a reservation require total payment up front. Checks, wires, Zelle, ACH, and cash are accepted. No handling fee on down payments with a credit card.
SECURITY DEPOSIT
Events need a minimum 40% security deposit with a maximum of $10,000.
Please visit us at www.TheHoudiniEstate.com. For questions not covered in this letter or on our website, please e-mail us at info@TheHoudiniEstate.com. We’ll be glad to hear from you!
Regards,
Aris Simon
WE CAN ANSWER MORE QUICKLY WHEN GIVEN THIS INFORMATION:
Proposed date(s) of the booking and hours of the booking:
Type: charity dinner, filming, personal celebration, wedding, etc.:
Approximate number of hosts, guests, vendors, staff, and performers (we count heads):
Using the rate lists above, which rate(s) would you like more information about?:
