Inside Philipp Plein House: Chateau Falconview’s Maximalist Luxury

The Philipp Plein House, known as Chateau Falconview, sits high on the hills of Bel Air with sweeping views of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean. Fashion designer Philipp Plein bought this prime real estate in 2014, starting his journey to create what might be LA’s most talked-about private mansion.

What makes this estate stand out from other celebrity homes? For starters, it sits on 3.6 acres of land once owned by business legend Howard Hughes, giving the property a rich history even before Plein’s vision took shape.

The German fashion mogul paid around $300 million just for the land, showing his commitment to building something truly special. After three years getting permits, construction began in 2018 with no rush to finish – Plein enjoys the creative process too much.

Plein has shared his excitement about the project on social media, calling it his “dream private house.” The property has gained such fame that it has its own Instagram account (@chateaufalconview) where fans follow its ongoing development.

Like other luxury mansions such as the Steve Cahillane house, the Philipp Plein House doesn’t try to blend in. Instead, it screams for attention with its bold design choices and over-the-top features that match its owner’s fashion aesthetic.

The most striking aspect of the Philipp Plein House is how it reflects its owner’s unapologetic approach to luxury. While many high-end homes aim for understated elegance, this mansion proudly displays excess as its defining characteristic.

Guest House: A Palace All Its Own

The Philipp Plein House complex features a completed guest house that many would consider a dream home by itself. This “small palace” sits in the middle of the driveway on a hill with stunning canyon views.

The guest accommodation boasts marble gladiator statues that greet visitors at the entrance. Hand-painted wallpaper printed with lyrics from Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” adds artistic flair to the walls, showing Plein’s attention to detail.

A giant chessboard sits on the terrace, complete with marble pieces lit by LEDs for nighttime games. This feature alone hints at the playful luxury that defines the entire Philipp Plein House aesthetic.

Inside, you’ll find an entrance hall, main lounge, “jungle room,” dining room, library, kitchen, terrace, and multiple bedrooms. Each space showcases Plein’s signature luxury style with no expense spared on materials or craftsmanship.

The jungle room deserves special mention with its wild mix of patterns and textures that would make most interior designers nervous. Yet somehow, in this context, the combination works perfectly to create an immersive experience.

YouTubers who’ve toured the guest house often struggle to find words that capture its grandeur. The blue guest bedroom and pink guest bedroom each offer distinct color schemes while maintaining the overall theme of opulent comfort.

The master bathroom in just the guest house rivals spa facilities at five-star hotels. With custom fixtures and rare materials sourced from around the world, even this “secondary” space shows Plein’s refusal to compromise on luxury.

The Main House: Hotel-Sized Luxury

While the guest house impresses, the main structure of the Philipp Plein House aims to be the true showpiece. Sitting atop its own hill, it enjoys sunlight throughout the day and commanding views of Los Angeles.

Plein himself describes the main house as looking “more like a hotel” than a private residence. With approximately 40,000 square feet of living space, this comparison makes sense – the scale rivals many commercial properties.

The main residence features enormous Italian windows in the dining room beneath nine-meter-high Gothic cathedral ceilings. These architectural choices create dramatic spaces that perfectly match Plein’s larger-than-life personality and design vision.

Construction updates shared on social media have shown the painstaking detail work going into each room. Artisans from Europe and America have been brought in to create custom elements that can’t be found anywhere else.

The property also includes extensive outdoor entertainment areas with multiple pools, gardens, and lounging spaces. True to form, even these outdoor spaces push boundaries with their dramatic lighting and sculptural elements.

Security at the Philipp Plein House matches what you’d expect for such a high-profile property. The half-mile private drive and sophisticated systems ensure privacy, allowing the designer to host exclusive events without public intrusion.

Much like the Ernesto Bertarelli house, the Philipp Plein House serves as both personal sanctuary and showcase of its owner’s taste. However, Plein takes maximalism several steps further than most luxury homeowners.

Maximalist Design: More Is More

What truly sets the Philipp Plein House apart is its interior design philosophy where more is absolutely more. Throughout the property, bold choices make clear statements about luxury without restraint.

The house features neoclassical columns that would make Versailles jealous. Ornate moldings and architectural details cover nearly every surface, refusing to leave any space unadorned or simple.

Leopard print ceilings make bold statements in several rooms, while a 24-karat gold gaming arcade provides entertainment. A “Beauty and the Beast”-inspired main staircase serves as a focal point, transporting visitors into a fairy tale setting.

Multiple Swarovski crystal chandeliers hang throughout the Philipp Plein House, adding sparkle to every room. A diamond-shaped bathtub imported from Portugal stands as just one example of custom fixtures throughout the property.

An enormous marble statue of a tattooed angel greets visitors in the foyer. This unexpected twist on classical sculpture perfectly represents how the Philipp Plein House blends traditional luxury with contemporary edge.

The property also includes quirky personal touches like a figure of UFO Robot Grendizer, a character from Japanese anime. These pop culture elements sit alongside classical pieces, creating an unexpected visual conversation between old and new.

Some critics have called the aesthetic “Versailles on steroids,” a description that seems to delight rather than offend its owner. Architectural experts often compare it to other famously excessive estates like Michael Jackson’s Neverland or William Randolph Hearst’s Castle.

The approximately 200 “costume vases” used as decorative elements throughout the property add another layer of visual interest. Each room tells its own story while maintaining connections to the overall design narrative.

The Man Behind the Mansion

Born in Munich in 1978, Philipp Plein studied law before switching to furniture design and eventually fashion. His maximalist designs featuring skulls, crystals, and bold statements have earned him both fans and critics in the fashion world.

Today, Plein controls a fashion empire including Philipp Plein, Plein Sport, and Billionaire brands with approximately 250 stores worldwide. His net worth was estimated at $800 million by German Forbes as of 2024.

Plein openly embraces his outsider status in fashion, saying: “I’m not Coca-Cola; I’m not here to make everybody happy.” This philosophy extends to his personal space at the Philipp Plein House, which makes no concessions to conventional taste.

The designer works closely with Italian and American architects plus furniture suppliers on his home project. He describes it as “probably the only hobby that I have, besides my job,” showing his passion for creating this space.

Events and Social Life at the Estate

While construction continues, the Philipp Plein House has already hosted several high-profile events that showcase its status as a luxury destination. The property serves as both private residence and extension of Plein’s brand identity.

The mansion has been used as a backdrop for exclusive photoshoots, including international campaigns for Plein’s eyewear line. These professional photos provide glimpses into rooms not usually seen by the public, feeding curiosity about the estate.

Musical performances have taken place on the grounds, with artists like Bonnie Tyler reportedly performing hits at private gatherings. The acoustics of the main spaces were apparently designed with such events in mind.

Exclusive parties featuring masked guests reminiscent of “Eyes Wide Shut” have added to the property’s mystique. During one fragrance launch, Plein emphasized that “our clients are all friends – everybody” and “we are a family company.”

A Living Work in Progress

What makes the Philipp Plein House unique among luxury properties is that its owner hopes it’s “never really finished.” Plein enjoys the process of designing and creating more than the idea of completion.

This approach mirrors his career as a fashion industry disruptor who pushes boundaries and ignores conventional rules. The Philipp Plein House stands as a physical extension of his brand’s bold luxury and self-expression.

For architecture fans and luxury home enthusiasts, Chateau Falconview offers a fascinating look at maximalist design taken to its limits. Whether viewed as a masterpiece or an extravagance, the mansion refuses to be ignored.

As Bel Air real estate values continue to climb, with luxury homes averaging $15 million and appreciating 8% yearly, the Philipp Plein House stands as a gleaming monument to personal style and vision in Los Angeles.