Hollywood Hills Mansion Overtaken.
Another abandoned multimillion-dollar mansion in the Hollywood Hills has become a magnet for squatters, crime, and frustration for nearby residents.
The vacant property, located on Mulholland Drive near the Universal City Overlook, has been overtaken by squatters, creating an ongoing public safety concern in one of Los Angeles’ most exclusive neighborhoods. Despite repeated police efforts to clear the property, the squatters seem to return as quickly as they are removed, transforming the home into an eyesore and a potential danger zone.
Neighbors, speaking with FOX 11 Los Angeles, voiced their concerns about the situation, revealing that the mansion has been empty for several years and has become a hotspot for criminal activity. “Every time we call, the police will come, and they’ll clear it out. And then, within an hour or two, five more people are there and staying the night,” one neighbor explained.
The problem doesn’t end with trespassing—there have been violent incidents as well. According to the same neighbor, some squatters allegedly attacked a local resident with steel rebar and a beer bottle, heightening fears of escalating crime in the area.
This mansion is the second property in the Hollywood Hills to be taken over by squatters in recent months. Another abandoned home on Sunset Boulevard faced similar issues, with taggers destroying the property and covering it in graffiti, adding to the growing frustration among local homeowners.
Squatters have taken over a nearly 10,000 square foot, $6.5 million mansion in Hollywood Hills in CA.
According to locals, the squatters are attacking locals and are spreading their “artwork” to other properties now that the mansion is completely covered.
The home belongs to… pic.twitter.com/IT6J5fYyrD
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 21, 2024
Both properties, including the mansion at 7571 Mulholland Drive and the one at 1754 N Sunset Plaza Drive, are owned by John Powers Middleton, a film producer and son of Philadelphia Phillies owner John S. Middleton. Middleton is best known for producing films such as Oldboy (2013) and Manchester by the Sea (2016). A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Phillies confirmed Middleton’s ownership of the properties and distanced other members of the Middleton family from the situation.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman has acknowledged the severity of the issue, stressing that her office is working closely with both the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Department of Building and Safety to resolve the situation. “These properties are both owned by the same individual, who is in egregious violation of the law,” Raman said in a statement. She assured the public that the city is pushing for urgent action, and enforcement measures are being taken to prevent further illegal occupation of the properties.
In an attempt to secure the Mulholland property, LAPD officers have recently escorted squatters out of the mansion, added security personnel, and erected a chain-link fence to deter further break-ins. Despite these efforts, the problem persists. The Hollywood area has already seen 17 calls for service related to the property on Sunset Plaza Drive this year, with multiple reports of prowlers, burglary suspects, and vandalism.
The takeover of these abandoned mansions is more than just a nuisance—it poses real risks to the surrounding community. Residents and local officials alike are calling for stronger enforcement and accountability from property owners. As Councilwoman Raman emphasized, “Irresponsible property owners must take accountability for their property or face action from the city.”