The golden age of Hollywood has left us with countless stories, but few homes carry as much weight in cultural memory as Sharon Tate’s house. When you think about the glamorous lifestyle of 1960s Hollywood, this residence stands as both a symbol of an era’s brilliance and its darkest moments.
Sharon Tate wasn’t just another starlet in the constellation of Hollywood celebrities. She was a rising talent whose beauty and charm captivated audiences worldwide. Her modern home became a reflection of everything the late 1960s represented – freedom, creativity, and the bohemian spirit that defined a generation.
Architectural and Interior Features of Sharon Tate’s House
The Distinctive Architectural Style
The house exemplified what architects call French Country meets California Ranch style. This unique combination created a structure that felt both elegant and approachable. The low-slung profile typical of ranch homes blended seamlessly with the romantic elements of French provincial design.
The main house, approximately 3,200 square feet, featured clean lines softened by rustic details. The exterior walls were finished in white stucco, which gleamed brilliantly under the California sun. Dark wood beam accents provided a striking contrast and added to the home’s cottage-like charm.
The roofline deserves special mention. Unlike the flat roofs popular in mid-century modern homes, this property featured gently sloping angles covered in traditional clay tiles. These tiles, in warm terracotta tones, gave the house an old-world feel despite its relatively recent construction.
Exterior Elements and Landscaping
The approach to the luxury house was nothing short of dramatic. A long, winding driveway led visitors up from Cielo Drive, building anticipation with every turn. Mature trees lined the path, creating a natural canopy that filtered the sunlight into dancing patterns.
The front entrance featured a heavy wooden door with wrought iron details. This door, painted in deep brown, stood beneath a small portico supported by white columns. To either side, large windows with divided lights offered glimpses into the home’s interior.
The property sprawled across several acres, with the landscape design taking full advantage of the hillside location. Native California plants mixed with more formal garden elements. Roses climbed trellises near the house, while wild sage and lavender grew on the slopes.
The Heart of the Home: Living Spaces
Step inside, and you’d find yourself in a living room that perfectly captured 1960s sophistication. The space featured exposed white ceiling beams, creating visual interest without overwhelming the room. A massive stone fireplace dominated one wall, its hearth often filled with fresh flowers during the summer months.
The furniture Sharon chose reflected the era’s love for clean lines and natural materials. Low-slung sofas in neutral fabrics provided comfortable seating. She accented these with colorful throw pillows featuring bold geometric patterns typical of the period.
Large windows on multiple walls flooded the space with natural light. These weren’t just windows – they were floor-to-ceiling glass panels that erased the boundary between indoor and outdoor living. On clear days, you could see all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
The Kitchen and Dining Areas
The kitchen represented a perfect time capsule of late 1960s design. Warm wood cabinets lined the walls, their simple shaker-style doors reflecting the era’s move toward unfussy elegance. The countertops were covered in small square tiles, a popular choice that added texture without overwhelming the space.
A breakfast nook tucked into one corner provided a cozy spot for morning coffee. Sharon had placed a small round table here, surrounded by ladder-back chairs painted white. Fresh flowers from the garden always graced this table, bringing nature inside.
The formal dining room could comfortably accommodate eight guests. A rustic wooden table served as the centerpiece, its surface showcasing the wood’s natural grain. Above it hung a wrought iron chandelier that cast warm, romantic light during evening gatherings.
Private Retreats: The Bedrooms
The main bedroom suite offered a peaceful escape from the modern home‘s more public spaces. Sharon had decorated it in soft, muted tones – creams, pale blues, and touches of gold. The bed, with its upholstered headboard, faced windows that looked out over the canyon.
She’d added personal touches throughout the room. Family photographs in silver frames dotted the surfaces. A comfortable reading chair sat in one corner, accompanied by a small table stacked with scripts and books. The room felt intimate despite its generous proportions.
Each guest bedroom had its own character. One featured bold wallpaper with a tropical print, very much in keeping with 1960s trends. Another was decorated more simply, with white walls and colorful artwork providing the primary visual interest.
The Iconic Pool Area
No discussion of Sharon Tate’s house would be complete without mentioning the pool. This wasn’t just any swimming pool—it was a kidney-shaped oasis that epitomized California outdoor living. The pool’s organic shape complemented the natural landscape, making it feel like a natural spring rather than an artificial feature.
A flagstone patio surrounded the pool, providing ample space for lounge chairs and outdoor furniture. Sharon had arranged several seating areas here, each offering a different view of the property and the canyon beyond. Umbrellas in bright stripes added pops of color to the neutral stone.
The pool house served as both a practical changing area and an extension of the home’s entertaining areas. With its own bathroom and bar area, it allowed pool parties to flow seamlessly without constant trips to the main house.
Cultural and Historical Significance of Sharon Tate’s House
A Symbol of Lost Innocence
The tragic events of 9 August 1969 forever changed how the world viewed Sharon Tate’s house. What had been a symbol of Hollywood glamour and success became a landmark of one of the most shocking crimes in American history. The house transformed overnight from a dream home into a site of collective mourning.
The impact rippled far beyond Hollywood. The events at Cielo Drive marked what many consider the end of the 1960s idealism. The free-spirited, open-door culture that Sharon and her friends embodied suddenly seemed dangerous and naive.
The House in Popular Culture
Over the decades, Sharon Tate’s house has appeared in numerous books, films, and television programs. Each portrayal adds another layer to its cultural significance. Some focus on the architectural beauty, others on the historical importance, and many grapple with the tragedy.
The property has inspired artists across media. Musicians have written songs, painters have created artworks, and photographers have documented every angle. The house serves as a canvas onto which people project their own interpretations of the 1960s, fame, and loss.
Here’s a table showing major cultural works featuring the house:
Year Work Medium Focus
1974 Helter Skelter Book Crime investigation
1976 Helter Skelter TV Movie Dramatization of events
1993 The Sharon Tate Story Biography Sharon’s life story
2019 Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Film Alternative history
2019 The Haunting of Sharon Tate, Film Psychological thriller
Preservation Efforts and Changes
The original house stood until 1994, when the owner, Alvin Weintraub, decided to demolish it. This decision sparked debate about preserving sites of historical significance versus allowing property owners to move forward. The demolition represented an attempt to separate the location from its tragic past.
Before demolition, extensive documentation captured every detail of the original structure. Photographers and historians worked to preserve the memory of the house’s architecture, if not the physical building itself. These records now serve as valuable resources for those studying 1960s residential house design.
A new house was built on the site, deliberately different from the original. The address was changed to 10066 Cielo Drive to discourage tragedy tourists. Yet the location’s significance remains unchanged in public consciousness.
The Broader Cultural Impact
Sharon Tate’s house has become a symbol of broader themes in American culture. It represents the dark side of fame, the vulnerability of privacy, and the way tragedy can transform places and perceptions. The property serves as a reminder of how quickly paradise can become something else entirely.
The house also highlights Hollywood’s relationship with its own history. The film industry simultaneously celebrates and struggles with its past, particularly the darker chapters. Sharon Tate’s house embodies this tension—it’s both a reminder of golden-age glamour and a cautionary tale.
For students of architecture and design, the house offers lessons about how buildings absorb and reflect the events that occur within them. The property demonstrates that architecture isn’t just about physical structures—it’s about the stories, memories, and meanings that accumulate over time.
Current Status and Ownership of Sharon Tate’s House
The New Structure on Familiar Ground
Today, the property at what was once 10050 Cielo Drive looks entirely different from the way it did during Sharon Tate’s time. The current house, built in 1996, is a sprawling Mediterranean-style villa that bears no resemblance to the original structure. This complete transformation was intentional, designed to create distance from the past.
The new construction spans approximately 12,000 square feet, nearly four times the size of the original house. It features modern amenities while maintaining the privacy that makes Benedict Canyon properties so desirable. The architects deliberately avoided any design elements that might recall the previous structure.
Despite these changes, the land itself remains unchanged. The same views that Sharon Tate enjoyed, the same canyon breezes, and the same California sunshine still define the property. Nature provides continuity where human construction has created discontinuity.
Real Estate Value and Market Interest
The property’s market value has fluctuated significantly over the years. Initial attempts to sell after 1969 proved challenging, with the tragic history deterring many potential buyers. However, as decades passed, the real estate market’s focus shifted from the past to the location’s inherent value.
Recent sales have demonstrated that prime Benedict Canyon real estate maintains its appeal regardless of history. The property last sold in 2020 for $11.7 million, reflecting both the location’s desirability and the quality of the current construction.
Real estate professionals note that properties with significant histories often develop two distinct buyer pools. Some are attracted by the notoriety, while others are drawn despite it. In this case, the complete reconstruction has helped shift focus toward the property’s practical attributes.
Modern Privacy and Security Measures
The current property features state-of-the-art Security systems that reflect lessons learned from the past. Multiple cameras, motion sensors, and controlled access points ensure residents’ privacy and safety. These measures have become standard in high-end Los Angeles real estate.
The address change to 10066 Cielo Drive has partially reduced unwanted attention. However, the location remains known to those interested in Hollywood history. The current owners maintain strict privacy, rarely acknowledging the property’s past.
Security extends beyond technology. The landscaping has been designed to create natural barriers, with strategically placed trees and hedges limiting visibility from the street. The long driveway now features a gate system that prevents unauthorized access.
Lessons and Inspiration from Sharon Tate’s House for Homeowners
Preserving Character While Embracing Change
The story of Sharon Tate’s luxury house offers valuable insights for anyone dealing with a historic property. Sometimes, a complete transformation serves a purpose beyond mere renovation. The decision to demolish and rebuild demonstrates that preserving memory doesn’t always mean preserving structures.
For homeowners facing similar decisions, consider what aspects of a property’s history deserve preservation. Is it the physical structure, the design elements, or simply the stories? Sometimes, photographing and documenting can preserve history while allowing for necessary changes.
The new construction on the site shows how modern amenities can coexist with historical significance. You don’t have to live in the past to acknowledge it. Smart integration of contemporary comfort with respectful nods to history creates homes that honor their heritage while serving current needs.
Incorporating 1960s Style Elements
Sharon Tate’s decorating choices offer inspiration for modern homeowners interested in mid-century modern aesthetics. The era’s emphasis on bringing the outdoors in remains remarkably relevant today. Large windows, natural materials, and organic shapes continue to define contemporary design.
Consider these specific elements from Sharon’s house:
- Open floor plans that encourage flow between spaces
- Natural wood finishes that add warmth without overwhelming
- Strategic use of stone and other natural materials
- Neutral base colors accented with bold patterns
- Integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces
The pool area notably demonstrates timeless design principles. Kidney-shaped pools have made a comeback, appreciated for their organic feel and visual appeal. The combination of natural stone patios with colorful outdoor furniture creates an inviting atmosphere that transcends decades.
Creating Meaningful Spaces
Sharon Tate’s approach to making the house a home offers lessons beyond design. She understood that personal touches transform spaces. The photographs, artwork, and carefully chosen objects she displayed made the grand house feel intimate and welcoming.
Modern homeowners can apply this principle regardless of their home’s size or style. Displaying items that tell your story, creating designated areas for specific activities, and choosing furnishings that reflect your personality make any space feel more meaningful.
The way Sharon used different areas for different purposes—the breakfast nook for quiet mornings, the pool for entertaining, the bedroom for retreat—shows how thoughtful space planning enhances daily life. Consider how each room in your stunning home can serve both practical and emotional needs.
Where Does Sharon Tate Currently Live?
Sharon Tate does not currently live anywhere as she was tragically murdered in 1969. She lived in the house at 10050 Cielo Drive in Los Angeles with her husband Roman Polanski at the time.
Sharon Tate’s House Photos
