Hollynook Court (1913-1953)
- Feb 26
- 2 min read
Hollynook Court was aptly named, tucked away on a verdant acre at the bend of Highland and Franklin avenues in Hollywood.
The seven bungalows were built in 1913, originally as Sabin Court after landlord Nat Sabin. There were two duplexes, four single-family cottages, and a fourplex in the rear for a total of 12 units. Sabin’s mother Effie was the first resident at 1803A Highland, until she swallowed strychnine on October 15, 1913.
Five years later, the court was purchased by Thomas A. McNamara and renamed Hollynook. Tenants of the time included actress Dorothy Mackaill (a 1924 WAMPAS Baby Star), poet Hart Crane, and astrologer Ruth Skeen who dubbed her home Libra-Leo Studio.
In 1942, the bungalow court became the $3-a-night Holly Motel. A decade later, the cottages were sold off piece by piece—and at least two still exist, at 248 S. Carondelet Street in Westlake. For the past 70 years, 1803-1807 Highland has been a parking lot for Hollywood United Methodist Church, which was built next to Hollynook in 1930.
Looking closely on the hill behind Hollynook Court, you can see 1908-1910 Hillcrest Road, a duplex and one of three Swiss Chalet apartment houses on the property designed by architects Needham & Cline for Hollywood pioneer Thomas Rattray (who lived here with his wife Bessie and their three children).
Incredibly, the historic trio are still up there, nestled in a rustic perch that feels frozen in time. Known as Highland Estates, the complex is currently on the market for $5 million. The listing highlights the “character-rich property” as a chance to own a piece of Hollywood Hills history.
That’s a relief, as a previous attempt to sell described the three chalets as “a great opportunity for redevelopment.”
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