Awesome Authors: Exclusive Interview with Mover and Shaker Michael Gross on the Release of Unreal Estate Today, November 1, 2011 Sponsored by Stribling and Associates
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Earlier today, Whom You Know highly recommended Unreal Estate:
We are pleased to present an exclusive interview with its author, Michael Gross.
Peachy Deegan interviewed Michael Gross for Whom You Know.
Peachy Deegan: If Unreal Estate was made into a movie, what character would you want to be and why (presumably a man since you are one)?
Michael Gross: Tony Curtis. I’d get to live in some pretty awesome houses, make some amazing movies, hook up with the hottest women in the world and live a long time.
What do you think would be the most coveted female role, and if you were female would that be the one you want?
It’s a four-way tie for the Oscar nod between Hilda Boldt Weber Olsen, who built the greatest house in Bel Air before going broke and killing herself, who is tragic, Dolly Green, the eldest daughter of Beverly Hills co-founder Burton Green, who is Gothic, Dona Powell, who is quite noir, and Cher, who is…well…Cher. As for me, I think I’d make a great Heidi Fleiss, and ending up in a laundry in Pahrump, Nevada, makes a great comic exit.
What aspect or fact presented in Unreal Estate do you think will shock the world the most and why?
There are shockers every few pages. It’s almost impossible to choose. But the great-estate owner with the literal taste for ladies of the night wins by a nibble, I think.
What was the most challenging aspect of writing Unreal Estate?
Choosing which communities and houses to write about. I narrowed it down to the so-called Triangle of Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Holmby Hills and Beverly Park first. Then I started with a list of over fifty estates. I finally got it down to seven starring houses and nine in supporting roles.
Which aspect did you enjoy the most of writing this book?
Every single page. It was fascinating to research, and a joy to write. I hope that will be obvious to readers.
What have you not seen yet in the Platinum Triangle that you would want to see?
I’d like to get inside two of the houses in particular: 10644 Bellagio Road in Bel Air and 9481 Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills. The first because of the architecture and the décor. The second, because I’ve heard it’s somewhere beyond over the top.
How were you able to negotiate your way into seeing the estates that you did see?
I was invited into a number of the “supporting” houses. I suspect that’s because the owners knew they wouldn’t be featured. But I’ve always maintained that access is overrated—and I still do. I’d rather read a juicy write-around than a toothless, manicured, negotiated “official” story, and I think anyone with any discernment agrees.
What is the most effective way to conduct research into writing any of your books?
Nose to the grindstone. Pedal to the metal. And always kick over that last rock. You never know what you’ll find there.
If you could live in any one property there, which one would it be and why and if you had the option to, would you change your answer from decade to decade?
If I could afford to live in any of the houses, I’d buy a small house in Rustic Canyon, upgrade to a penthouse in New York, spend some of the change on amazing travel and the rest on a jet share to fly between them all.
If you could build your own estate on any one acre property in the Platinum Triangle, which lot would you want, what would you tear down, and what would you build up?
A one acre property? Why are you thinking so small? And anyway, I wrote a book about historic houses and I live in a 1909 building. I don’t believe in tear-downs!
Who would be your architect and interior designer?
No need for an architect if you’re buying instead of building. And my wife I decorate our own homes.
What is the Swifty’s of The Platinum Triangle if there is one?
The Bistro. But it’s long gone.
If you lived in the Platinum Triangle today, who would you say are the Top 10 Most Fascinating People that live there that you have personally met and why?
I just wrote a book about them and no one wants to read 488 pages on a web site!
Who have you not personally met there that you would like to meet and why?
The man or woman who will say, “I like your book so much, I’m giving you my house and enough money to maintain it.” Then, I’d give up on that idea about the jet share, keep my own place in New York and fly on frequent flier miles.
