North Beverly Park Development

A Mulholland Drive developer whose white stucco wall blocks motorists' panoramic vistas has agreed to enlarge a viewer-friendly window of wrought-iron bars on the structure. The six-foot wall, which borders 600 feet of the scenic hilltop corridor, sparked protests from drivers, homeowners and environmentalists when it was erected this summer by developer Brian Adler as security for estates in exclusive North Beverly Park, above Beverly Hills.

A gated domain of sports stars, A-list actors, media billionaires and nouveau riche Angelenos -- where 11,000 square feet constitutes a "cozy" house and a developer once built a $20-million manse on spec -- is embroiled in a legal fracas that shows once and for all that money can't buy happiness. The court battle began in May, when residents of South Beverly Park sued their confreres in North Beverly Park. These aren't just any residents.

A gated domain of sports stars, A-list actors, media billionaires and nouveau riche Angelenos -- where 11,000 square feet constitutes a "cozy" house and a developer once built a $20-million manse on spec -- is embroiled in a legal fracas that shows once and for all that money can't buy happiness. The court battle began in May, when residents of South Beverly Park sued their confreres in North Beverly Park. These aren't just any residents.

Homeowners and environmentalists opposed to a six-foot-high wall that blocks the view from Mulholland Drive protested in front of the white, stucco structure Saturday, proclaiming that they want the wall torn down. About 15 people carrying placards reading "Rise up, fight this wall" gathered at the rally across the street from the 600-foot-long structure, which was built as security for developer Brian Adler's exclusive North Beverly Park.

Homeowners and environmentalists opposed to a six-foot-high wall that blocks the view from Mulholland Drive protested in front of the white, stucco structure Saturday, proclaiming that they want the wall torn down. About 15 people carrying placards reading "Rise up, fight this wall" gathered at the rally across the street from the 600-foot-long structure, which was built as security for developer Brian Adler's exclusive North Beverly Park.

Earlier this summer you could motor along a stretch of Mulholland Drive above Studio City and see the ocean. Today, drivers see a six-foot-tall white stucco wall. Dubbed by some "the great white monster" and others "our Berlin Wall," most area residents refer to it simply as "The Wall." "It's cinder blocks with plaster on top," said Judy Marx, founder of the L.A. Urban Wilderness Coalition. "Everybody is up in arms. It's like cutting off access to the ocean. It's unconscionable."

A Mulholland Drive developer whose white stucco wall blocks motorists' panoramic vistas has agreed to enlarge a viewer-friendly window of wrought-iron bars on the structure. The six-foot wall, which borders 600 feet of the scenic hilltop corridor, sparked protests from drivers, homeowners and environmentalists when it was erected this summer by developer Brian Adler as security for estates in exclusive North Beverly Park, above Beverly Hills.

Earlier this summer you could motor along a stretch of Mulholland Drive above Studio City and see the ocean. Today, drivers see a six-foot-tall white stucco wall. Dubbed by some "the great white monster" and others "our Berlin Wall," most area residents refer to it simply as "The Wall." "It's cinder blocks with plaster on top," said Judy Marx, founder of the L.A. Urban Wilderness Coalition. "Everybody is up in arms. It's like cutting off access to the ocean. It's unconscionable."