One shining example

DAVID HOWARD MURDOCK II, son of the chairman of the Westlake Village-headquartered Dole Food Co., was 36 when he died in a car crash in 2004. This house is part of his legacy.

Like his father, David Howard Murdock of Lake Sherwood, young Murdock was a real estate developer. Unlike his father, who completed hundreds of homes before he became head of Dole, he had built only a few custom houses on the Westside before he died.

This Mediterranean Palladian-style estate in Bel-Air exemplifies his work.

About this house: Built in 1999 and sited on a promontory, the estate has unobstructed city-to-ocean and mountain views. Formal gates open onto a tree-lined drive and 1.44 acres of manicured grounds. On the first floor, the formal living room, wood-paneled study and a family room have fireplaces.

Asking price: $28.5 million

Size: There are seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms in 13,000-plus square feet.

Features: The house has a courtyard with a fountain, an infinity pool, an outdoor grill, a two-story entrance with glass and wrought-iron doors, a sitting room, a steam shower, spa tubs, a media room and a gym. The intricate ceilings are custom designed. There is parking for about 13 cars. The ground-floor staff quarters have a living room and two bedrooms.

Where: The home is in the East Gate area of Bel-Air.

Listing agent: Barbara Duskin of Coldwell Banker, Beverly Hills, (310) 777-6255.

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To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, send color photos with caption information on a CD and a detailed description of the house to Ruth Ryon, Real Estate section, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A., CA 90012. Send questions to [email protected].