A historic Hollywood Hills home once owned by longtime ‘The Price Is Right’ host Bob Barker has changed hands again, this time after an extensive restoration by interior designer Julia Dempster. The 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival estate at 1851 Outpost Drive was bought by Dempster in April 2024 for $3.874 million, according to Mansion Global. After a renovation that preserved original architectural details while modernising key parts of the house, the 5,906-square-foot property sold in April 2026 for $6.325 million, according to public sale records and real estate listings.The sale marks a notable chapter for one of Outpost Estates’ most storied properties. Barker purchased the home in 1969 and lived there for more than five decades until his death in 2023, while the land beneath it is tied to Hollywood’s earliest residential history. The renovation did not simply refresh the interiors; it aimed to make a nearly century-old house functional for contemporary living without erasing the character that made it distinctive.
A home with Hollywood history
The property sits in Outpost Estates, an enclave in the Hollywood Hills known for its early Los Angeles history and celebrity residents. The current house was completed in 1929 on the site of what has been described as Hollywood’s original adobe home. Before Barker, the estate was associated with Los Angeles Times publisher General Harrison Gray Otis and developer Charles E. Toberman, who helped shape parts of early Hollywood, as per the reports.Barker acquired the Spanish Revival residence in 1969 and made it his primary home for more than 50 years. The late television host, who won 19 Emmy Awards and was known for his animal-rights advocacy, lived there until his death in August 2023, shortly before his 100th birthday. His long ownership gave the house a personal history that extended far beyond its architectural value.When the home first came to market after Barker’s death, it was presented as a restoration opportunity. Robb Report reported that the property retained original stained-glass windows, wrought-iron detailing, antique light fixtures and a delicate fresco on the wood-beamed ceiling above the switchback staircase. The house needed updating, but it also carried rare period features that made a sensitive renovation especially important.
Julia Dempster’s renovation
Dempster, a London-based interior designer, purchased the home in April 2024 for $3.784 million, according to Cottages and Gardens, which cited Mansion Global. The reported price was $800,000 above asking, reflecting competition for a property with both historic significance and strong potential in one of Los Angeles’ desirable hillside neighbourhoods.Her renovation focused on restoring rather than replacing the home’s original character. The project included modifying the original ironwork balustrade, preserving and replacing wood floors, restoring original doors and applying Portola Roman clay to the walls. Dempster also modernised the bathrooms, redid the clay-tile roof and carried out other work intended to bring the 1929 residence up to modern standards.The result was a five-bedroom, seven-bathroom home with 5,906 square feet of interior space. Listing details describe beamed, coffered and tray ceilings, crown mouldings, stained or leaded windows, wood flooring, a family room with a fireplace, an office and a kitchen with granite counters, an island and a breakfast area. The house also includes indoor laundry, multiple patios and a primary suite with a walk-in closet.
From $3.874 million to $6.325 million
The property’s recent sales history shows how much the renovation changed its market position. Realtor.com’s property history records an April 25, 2024 sale at $3.788 million, or $641 per square foot. The home returned to market in June 2025 at $8.195 million, a jump of more than 116 percent from its previous sale price, before the asking price was reduced to $7.798 million in July 2025.The final sale did not reach the original asking price, but it still represented a substantial increase from the 2024 purchase. Public records and market reports show the home sold for $6.325 million on April 30, 2026, with the transaction recorded around April 29. That is roughly $2.45 million above the price Dempster paid in 2024, although the final figure excludes renovation costs, selling expenses and the time involved in the project.The Outpost Neighborhood Association noted that the estate ultimately sold for $6.325 million after debuting at $8.195 million in June 2025. It described the outcome as evidence of how important pricing alignment has become in the current market, even for homes with strong history and high-end finishes.
A new owner with a connection to Hollywood magic
The buyer was reported as Randy Pitchford, the video-game executive and magician who owns Los Angeles’ historic Magic Castle. Mansion Global reported that Pitchford and his wife, Kristy, bought the former Barker home for $6.235 million, while other property records and market reports list the final sale price as $6.325 million. The slight difference appears to reflect reporting variations or transaction details, but both accounts identify the buyer as Pitchford and place the sale in spring 2026.For Pitchford, the purchase adds another piece of Hollywood heritage to a portfolio already connected to the city’s entertainment history. The Magic Castle, located in the Hollywood Hills, is a private club for magicians and magic enthusiasts, while 1851 Outpost Drive carries its own links to early Hollywood and television history.
Why the renovation mattered
The story of 1851 Outpost Drive shows how a well-executed restoration can add value without treating history as an obstacle. Dempster preserved original doors, floors, ironwork and other period elements while updating bathrooms, roofing and finishes for present-day comfort. That balance helped the home appeal to buyers seeking both character and practicality.It also demonstrates that celebrity history alone does not guarantee a sale at any price. The home initially listed above $8 million, was reduced and eventually sold for $6.325 million. Yet the property still achieved a strong outcome relative to its 2024 purchase price, supported by its rare provenance, restored condition and location in Outpost Estates.For Los Angeles real estate watchers, the sale is a reminder that the most valuable homes are often those with a clear story. In this case, the story included Hollywood’s first adobe site, Bob Barker’s five-decade residence and a designer-led renovation that gave a 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival a carefully updated second life.