LOS ANGELES _ Former Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Adrian Gonzalez, who was playing for the New York Mets earlier this year, has bought a grand estate in L.A.'s Hancock Park neighborhood for $10.5 million.
Set on two lots totaling about an acre, the Mediterranean Revival-style home was built in 1926 for J.B. Leonis, a banker and industrial developer who founded the city of Vernon. It remained in the Leonis family until the sale to Gonzalez, which closed toward the end of August.
The two-story mansion, which blends Palladian and Italianate elements, was designed by architect Richard D. King.
Within the 8,500 square feet of interiors are a beamed-ceiling entry hall, a paneled library with a fireplace, five bedrooms and staff quarters. Built as a showplace for entertaining, the home boasts large-scale living and dining rooms and multiple loggias set beneath groin-vault ceilings.
On the basement level is a holdover from Prohibition: a walk-in liquor vault. Recreation and media rooms also lie on the lower floor. Rolling lawns, specimen trees, fountains, a swimming pool and a pool house make up the grounds. A three-car garage and detached cottage sit at the rear of the property.
Gonzalez, a five-time all-star, was released by the Mets in June after appearing in 54 games for the team. The 36-year-old first baseman began last offseason as a member of the Dodgers, with whom he spent the previous 5 { years, but was traded to the Atlanta Braves in December. He was released by the Braves two days after the trade and signed by the Mets in January.
