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James Cagney’s former estate at 9631 Cedarbrook Drive, a roughly five-acre compound tucked beneath Franklin Canyon, was once listed for $38.5 million and is now asking $29.995 million (Image Credit: Luan Pernia via Christie's)
A piece of Hollywood history is back on the Beverly Hills market, but with a considerably smaller price tag. James Cagney’s former estate at 9631 Cedarbrook Drive, a roughly five-acre compound tucked beneath Franklin Canyon, was once listed for $38.5 million and is now asking $29.995 million, according to The Beverly Hills Estates.
The property has also undergone years of restoration, with its original fireplaces, leaded glass and other period details carefully retained alongside modern updates. The Christie’s listing highlights how its historic character has been preserved across the sprawling compound, which once served as a private retreat for the celebrated actor.
A secluded retreat from Hollywood
Cagney established the five-acre estate in Beverly Hills in the 1930s.
The actor, who lived from 1899 to 1986, became famous for a string of memorable film roles, particularly the tough-guy characters that helped define his screen image. Away from the cameras, however, the estate offered a considerably quieter setting. Set beneath Franklin Canyon, the property has the feel of a private country retreat rather than a conventional celebrity compound.
Its large grounds and natural surroundings gave Cagney a degree of separation from the city while still keeping him close to Beverly Hills.
The estate has since grown into a substantial residential compound. The current listing puts the living area at about 10,778 square feet, with seven bedrooms, seven full bathrooms and three half-bathrooms.
Cagney established the five-acre estate in Beverly Hills in the 1930s (Image Credit: Christian Cruzio via Christie's)
Historic details were kept during the restoration
Much of the interest in the property comes from what has survived from its earlier years. The main villa retains exposed trussed-beam ceilings, leaded glass windows, reclaimed European terracotta roof tiles and original fireplaces that have been restored.
Rather than replacing those features with an entirely contemporary interior, the restoration appears to have been approached with the property's history in mind.
Christie’s describes years of work on the estate, with updated finishes incorporated alongside older architectural elements.Inside, the house includes a wine cellar, kitchen, formal dining room and living areas that open towards shaded terraces.
Reclaimed 19th-century French oak is also among the materials used in the restoration, bringing another historic element into the interiors. The compound is not limited to the main residence. It includes a guest residence, a carriage house and a separate guest cottage. That cottage has an especially personal connection to Cagney because it was originally used as his art studio.
Cagney’s interest in painting is another side of the actor that is often less prominent than his film career, making the preserved studio an unusual part of the property’s story.
Inside, the house includes a wine cellar, kitchen, formal dining room and living areas that open towards shaded terraces (Image Credit: Christian Cruzio via Christie's)
More than just a large Beverly Hills house
The layout of the estate is one of its defining features. Several buildings are connected by stone pathways, gardens and courtyards, creating a collection of spaces rather than making the property feel like one oversized mansion. There is also plenty built into the grounds for recreation and entertaining. The estate has a regulation tennis court, pickleball court and half basketball court, along with a swimming pool and spa.
Outdoor chef’s kitchens and a poolside cabana add to the entertaining spaces.Yet it is the surrounding landscape that gives the compound much of its character. The estate is set in a canyon setting surrounded by natural landscape. At the same time, the estate remains close to the centre of Beverly Hills. Landscaping adds another layer of privacy, with mature greenery surrounding the buildings and a large banyan tree positioned near the motor court.
A sizeable price cut
The property's price history changed notably in 2026. It was listed for $38.5 million on February 6 before being withdrawn on June 11. A new listing went live on June 12 with an asking price of $29.995 million. The reduction puts the estate back on the market at a price nearly $8.5 million below its earlier asking figure.But the property is being presented as more than a luxury home with a long list of amenities. Its connection to Cagney, the age of the main residence and the restoration of its period features give it a story that a newly constructed mansion cannot easily replicate. Nearly a century after Cagney made the estate his home, the compound still combines the privacy of a large hillside property with access to Beverly Hills. Its restored fireplaces, leaded glass, old timber and former art studio offer reminders of the people and period that shaped the estate, while the newer amenities make the sprawling property suited to contemporary use.
