Whitley Heights 101

2034 Grace Avenue

2034 Grace Avenue was built in 1922 by architect Arthur S. Barnes and owners Arthur and Hazel Aurand. Arthur owned the Los Angeles Cement Gun Company and in 1912, his company constructed the Gunite reservoir in Pasadena which was 80 feet wide. The Aurand’s owned this property for almost 40 years. In 1931, the Aurand’s added a sunroom constructed by Nathan Coleman. They had one daughter, Margaret, who attended Hollywood High School and then UCLA. Mr. Aurand died in the home in 1956 and Mrs. Aurand in 1960. The house went up for sale in 1962 and the next owner remodeled the kitchen.

The house at 2034 Grace Avenue is partially obscured as it sits behind a gate and overgrown trees and shrubs that enclose the property. The Aurand’s literally circled themselves around the elite in Whitley Heights. Francis X. Bushman and Burton Holmes lived next door to him on the right and Eugene O’Neil lived next door on the other side. H.J. Whitley, Barbara LaMarr, and Ruldolph Valentino were all down the street from them. Below is an aerial of the area and 2034 Grace Avenue. To the right is Francis X. Bushman’s home at 2020 Grace Avenue.

In 1991, director Francis Ford Coppola and his wife, Eleanor, purchased this property for his deceased son’s fiancee, Jacqui de la Fontaine and their four year old granddaughter, Gia Coppola. Gian-Carlo Coppola, died at the age of 22 from a tragic boating accident on Memorial Day in Annapolis, MD. Griffin O’Neal, Ryan O’Neal’s son, was driving the boat and attempted to pass between two other boats. O’Neal was not aware the boats were connected by a towline. O’Neal was able to duck under the towline in time, but Coppola was struck by it and killed. O’Neal pled guilty to negligently operating a boat. At the time of his death, 19 year old Jacqui was two months pregnant with Gia. Jacqui met Gian-Carlo when they both attended Hollywood High School.

Jacqui, a costume designer and actress, worked on the costumes and wardrobe on Single White Female (1992) and The Godfather Part III (1990). She also had minor acting parts on Jack (1996) and her daughter’s directing debut of Palo Alto in 2013. Jacqui spent time decorating the home and having “hipster” parties that Leonardo DiCaprio and the Olsen twins would attend. She also worked as a stylist at Harper’s Bazaar and as a costume stylist for music videos (Bob Dylan, Beastie Boys, Faith Hill). Below, Jacqui sits on the original staircase of the 1922 house.

Then Jacqui met Peter Getty, the billionaire grandson of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty and spent 9 years together before they got married in Napa in 2000. She first met Peter when he was dating Lauren Hutton, who was 24 years older than him. Jacqui and Peter led a most lavish life, buying a million dollar bed for their San Francisco home and vacationing to Hawaii, to the 10,000 Getty compound, flying in a $40,000 private plane several times a year. Francis Ford Coppola actually walked Jacqui down the aisle when they married.

Her daughter Gian-Carla “Gia” was named after her father and grew up in this house and also at the Coppola family vineyard in Napa Valley. She also spent a lot of time on her aunt, Sofia Coppola, on movie sets while she was directing. Gia made her directing debut in the 2013 movie, Palo Alto and more recently, Mainstream (2019). Below, Gia, bares some resemblance to her aunt Sofia.

After the wedding, Jacqui and Peter moved into her Whitley Heights home and drove matching Mercedes S500s. Things started going downhill for Jacqui and Peter’s marriage. Jacqui found a pair of earrings and women’s sunglasses in her kitchen; neither belonged to her. At first, Peter denied the affair, but Jacqui found a full frontal shot of a woman, who she knew, on his desktop. Jacqui then learned the woman was living down the street and Peter paid for the home! Jacqui claims Peter had a cocaine and pornography addiction and became physically and emotionally abusive toward her. Jacqui filed for divorce, which became very public and very nasty. Although she wanted $200,000 monthly support, the judge granted her only $83,000.

Peter, a Harvard graduate, grew up in San Francisco, but struggled with a professional identity. He attempted a publishing company, a record label, and a screenplay-all financed by his mother. Peter had two brothers, who also struggled with addiction. Just before his wedding in 2000, his mother found out that his father had a secret affair and fathered 3 other children during the 14 year relationship. Peter’s drug use got out of control when Gia went to college in 2005. Peter would retreat to the converted garage, his “man-cave” to knit and play computer games and internet pornography.

In court, Peter did admit to drug use but denied breaking Jacqui’s arm in 2008. Unfortunately, Jacqui had her own substance abuse struggles and became dependent on Vicodin after a painful back surgery. Jacqui recognized her addiction and sought treatment hoping Peter would do the same. When Peter indicated he would not change his lifestyle, that is when Jacqui knew the marriage was over.

Jacqui had indeed led a tragic life with her relationships. However, this house looks like a sanctuary for those tough times in life. Below, Jacqui decorated the patio with a Bohemian looks, which she says reflects her personality. The 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,931 square foot home was put up for sale and sold in 2013 for one million dollars. Currently the house is assessed at $2,000,000.