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The Miami Art Journal

The House

Rock Hudson’s Los Angeles Residences Documented in New Feature

The Editors ·

Rock Hudson’s Los Angeles Residences Documented in New Feature

The report examines the film star’s private sanctuaries through a curated selection of historical imagery.

The publication has released a compilation of ten photographs detailing the domestic spaces occupied by Rock Hudson during his career in Hollywood. The piece focuses on the transition from his early, modest living conditions in Chicago to the expansive estates he maintained in Los Angeles. The report frames these residences as personal refuges where the actor could escape public scrutiny, citing his own statements regarding the privacy his homes provided.

Hudson’s early life is described as beginning in suburban Chicago, where he lived with his maternal grandparents in a one-bedroom bungalow on Center Street. The article notes the crowded nature of this household, which included six adults and five children sharing a single bathroom. This period is presented as a stark contrast to the later stages of his life, when his rising fame necessitated larger, more secure living arrangements in Los Angeles.

The feature highlights a shared residence in North Hollywood on Avenida del Sol, occupied by Hudson and actor Bob Preble for three years beginning in 1952. The report describes this dwelling as futuristic for its time, featuring glass fixtures and views of the surrounding mountains. It notes that Preble departed the home upon his marriage to Yvonne Rivero, and references anecdotes from Preble regarding their relationship dynamics and the nature of their cohabitation.

Following his departure from the North Hollywood property, Hudson purchased a two-bedroom ranch-style house near Sunset Boulevard in 1954. He invited his wife, Phyllis Gates, who worked as a secretary and interior designer, to move in with him. The couple is documented at this location in 1955. The piece emphasizes Hudson’s hands-on approach to his properties, quoting his preference for working on the houses themselves, such as tearing down walls and laying bricks, as a means of relaxation.

The compilation concludes with images from the estate Hudson inhabited until his death in 1985. This final residence is characterized as sprawling and serves as the culmination of the architectural journey presented in the article. The report does not offer commentary on the design quality or historical significance of these homes beyond the actor’s personal connection to them. It presents the properties as evidence of his search for privacy and control within his public life.

The article relies on historical records and biographical sources, including Sara Davidson’s biography of Hudson, to contextualize the images. It avoids speculation on the architectural merits of the structures, focusing instead on their role as personal sanctuaries for the actor. The selection of homes illustrates the progression of his status and the changing nature of his need for seclusion as his career advanced.

Takeaway: Rock Hudson purchased his Sunset Boulevard ranch in 1954.

Source: Architectural Digest