Famous ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ mansion slashes $7million off its price to $23million – and it isn’t even in Bel-Air
The house from the Fresh Prince opening credits just dropped $7 million, and it's now asking $23 million. It isn't in Bel-Air, none of the show was filmed inside it, and for five nights in 2020 you could sleep there for $30.
The real house
First thing to know: this is Brentwood. North Bristol Avenue. The show just borrowed the fancier name.
Built in 1937. That rotunda did more work on the show than half the guest stars.
One commenter: "For a really nice mansion the yard looks really bad." I'd argue with that. Those hedges are doing geometry.
Every room you remember was a set
Now the bit that ruins your childhood a little. Every interior scene was shot on a soundstage. The inside of the real house never made it on screen.
Even the driveway with the hoop. Set.
Honestly, the breakfast table got more screen time than the fancy dining room.
Season one kitchen. Copper pots, light oak, extremely 1990.
The cast back on a rebuilt living room for the HBO Max reunion.
Cindy Crawford coming through a front door that opens onto a studio floor.
Tilt the camera up and there's the lighting rig. So much for the Banks' ceiling.
Checkered floor. I liked this kitchen better than the one that replaced it.
Top comment energy: "Where's Carlton." Probably in this foyer, about to dance.
Season two knocked a wall through
After season one they rebuilt the sets. Bigger kitchen, bigger living room, and an archway between them so the camera could follow people straight through.
Glass cabinets up top, a bigger island, more room for Aunt Viv to be unimpressed.
Will in 1990. A viewer points out Will has said the character was based on Benny Medina, one of the show's executive producers, who really did move from Compton in with a family in Beverly Hills.
They built a whole ski cabin too. For a sitcom about a guy in LA.
The $30 Airbnb
Back to the real house. In 2020 Airbnb ran five one-night stays here, two guests max, $30 a night.
"Only $30 bucks? Did I hear that right?" asked one viewer. You did. You also had to live in LA County.
Guests got Will's wing. Gold carved headboard, purple runner, a grand piano just past the bed. No kitchen, though. That stayed off limits.
Six pairs of Jordans and Bel-Air Academy snapbacks on their own little pedestals. I'd have touched one within ten minutes and been asked to leave.
Remember the mini hoop over the bedroom door? They brought it back.
And then painted a giant graffiti wall in a 1937 Georgian Colonial. I love it. The original architect probably wouldn't.
Foosball with 90s Will watching you from the wall the whole game. I'd lose on purpose.
The old wet bar is a DJ booth now, for Jazzy Jeff. He also taught a $100 online DJ class through Airbnb on October 1, the day before the first stay.
Dinner was Philly cheesesteaks under a silver cloche. Part of the money went to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia.
Out back
Guests got the pool lounge and the patio too. Palms, pergola, the lot.
Somebody left a tape deck on the daybed. Good touch.
$23 million now, $7 million less than before. Nobody's said whether the Jordans come with it.
