Bel Air Crest

Bel Air Crest is one of Los Angeles’ most secure and prestigious gated communities, located off Sepulveda Boulevard just north of Sunset. The neighborhood offers a mix of family-friendly living and world-class estates, with lush landscaping, wide streets, and a strong sense of privacy. Residents enjoy access to private amenities including tennis courts, a fitness center, and walking trails, making it feel like a resort community within the city.

Nearby, residents frequent dining at Beverly Glen Center with beloved spots like Vibrato GrillJazz and Fabrocini’s Italian Kitchen. A short drive brings world-class dining such as Spago Beverly Hills and Il Pastaio. Shopping options include high-end boutiques in Westfield Century City Mall and Rodeo Drive.

 

Homes in Bel Air Crest range from elegant Mediterranean villas to sleek modern compounds. Several notable estates are custom-designed by architects like Richard Landry, known for his large-scale contemporary residences. The neighborhood is split between “Custom Homes” and “Executive Homes,” the former often exceeding 10,000 square feet with state-of-the-art amenities.

The community itself has a strong HOA presence, hosting events and fostering cohesion among residents. Top nearby cultural institutions include the Skirball Cultural Center and Getty Center. Local schools include Roscomare Road Elementary and private institutions like Harvard Westlake and Marymount High.

 

Residents enjoy walking trails within the gates and access to nearby hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains. Entertainment options include concerts at The Hollywood Bowl and cultural exhibits at The Getty. UCLA’s Royce Hall is minutes away for world-class performances.

 

Coveted addresses include Bel Air Crest Road, Bellaire Avenue, and Stratford Circle, each home to some of the largest custom estates. Many homes sit on elevated lots with sweeping canyon and city views. Proximity to the north and south gates enhances exclusivity and access.

 

Bel Air Crest offers rare large parcels and double lots, allowing buyers to create grand compounds. With only a limited number of custom homes, inventory is scarce, which preserves long-term value. Buyers often seek this area for its unmatched blend of security and prestige.

Given its desirability, properties here often appreciate faster than other luxury enclaves. Rental demand is also high, especially among international tenants seeking turnkey luxury. The exclusivity ensures strong value retention in both buyer and investment markets.

 

Bel Air Crest provides the perfect combination of seclusion and accessibility. Its security gates and amenities attract families and celebrities alike, while proximity to Beverly Hills and the Westside makes it practical for business professionals. For those seeking both privacy and prestige, few places rival it.

Past celebrity residents include NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal (the estate at 1 Stratford Circle), as well as actress Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, who rented within the gates. Media outlets have also reported homes owned by Kathy Griffin and actress Jamie Gertz within Bel Air Crest.

– Gordon Ramsay owns here; NBA players among residents.
– Sales from $5–$12M, with some estates above $20M.

– Median: $8M; secure gated hillside community with country club amenities

– Families and global investors attracted to guard-gated pedigree.

 

2026

• Active Listings: Expected to remain elevated (~430–450). This mirrors Bel Air’s historical range (2019–2022 averaged 378–541 listings), suggesting inventory will stay high as owners test the market.
• Closed Sales: Around ~120–125, softer than pre-2017 averages (~148–180) and more in line with the subdued 2023–2025 closings (99–123).
• Median Prices: Stabilization phase. Anticipate list prices ~$4.6M–$4.7M, with sold prices slightly under at ~$4.4M–$4.5M, reflecting the cooling from 2021’s $3.3M–$3.5M bracket.
• $/Sq.Ft.: Holding near ~$1,200–$1,250, consistent with 2022–2025 ($1,174–$1,195), showing that while velocity slows, core value per square foot remains intact.
• Key Factor: Persistently high borrowing costs and insurance premiums suppress speculative activity, but ultra-high-net-worth buyers keep a floor under luxury valuations.

2027

• Active Listings: Inventory moderates to ~410–430, reflecting fewer speculative listings as only serious sellers remain.
• Closed Sales: Modest rebound to ~130–135, restoring absorption closer to healthier 2016–2018 levels (~137–153 sales).
• Median Prices: Modest appreciation resumes. Expect list ~$4.8M–$4.9M, sold ~$4.6M–$4.7M, reflecting cautious optimism compared to the 2024–2025 cooling period ($3.2M–$3.6M).
• $/Sq.Ft.: Rising toward ~$1,275–$1,300, narrowing the gap between 2025 (~$1,195) and the 2021 pandemic peak ($1,519).
• Key Factor: Global equity stabilization and renewed inflows of international capital reinvigorate Bel Air’s luxury segment, especially for new-construction trophy estates.

2028

• Active Listings: Balances near ~400–420, a more sustainable inventory level compared to the highs of 2016–2019 (~472–541).
• Closed Sales: Climbs to ~140–145, showing a stronger market cadence while still below the 2013–2015 highs (175–161 sales).
• Median Prices: Upward momentum strengthens. Expect list ~$5.0M–$5.1M, sold ~$4.8M–$4.9M, pushing back toward 2021’s all-time strength.
• $/Sq.Ft.: Could test ~$1,325–$1,350, consolidating gradual growth since 2018 (~$986) and continuing the rebound from the 2023–2025 soft patch.
• Key Factor: Interest rates likely stabilize or ease, offshore wealth flows into Bel Air “trophy assets,” and a limited supply of new mega-estates maintains premiums.

Summary Projection

• Short-term (2026): Market stabilizes, pricing flat-to-soft with sales subdued, reflecting the aftereffects of 2022–2025’s correction.
• Mid-term (2027): Recovery phase begins, as both global and domestic demand fuel modest absorption and appreciation.
• Long-term (2028): Gradual appreciation returns Bel Air close to 2021’s highs, but this time supported by healthier fundamentals rather than speculative frenzy.

Bottom Line: Bel Air is moving out of its 2022–2025 correction phase and into stabilization (2026) followed by recovery (2027–2028). While sales volumes may remain thinner than pre-pandemic highs, the neighborhood’s prestige, low turnover, and global appeal ensure long-term appreciation.