In 2018, Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman bought a $6.85 million traditional ranch estate in Sherman Oaks. They left behind a 3,200-square-foot midcentury-modern home in Studio City, which was later sold for $2.255 million in 2020. The upgrade tells you what they value: space, privacy, and a layout built for work and family.
The Elizabeth Banks house sits on over an acre in the Silver Triangle neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. Five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and more than 6,500 square feet of single-story living space — the property pairs European elegance with California ranch practicality.
Banks has said she looks for “great bones” in a home. This estate has them. Here is what makes the property stand out.
The Appeal of the Sherman Oaks Location
The Elizabeth Banks house sits in one of Los Angeles’ most desirable residential pockets. Unlike the gated estates of Beverly Hills or the glass-walled compounds of the Hollywood Hills, the Silver Triangle is a family neighborhood — quiet, private, and genuinely residential.
A Prime Location in the Silver Triangle
The Silver Triangle is a small sub-neighborhood within Sherman Oaks, in the eastern San Fernando Valley, bordered by Studio City and major entertainment corridors. For Banks and Handelman — who run Brownstone Productions and need proximity to studios — the location works on every level.
Large lots, tree-lined streets, low foot traffic, and almost no commercial development — the Silver Triangle offers a suburban calm rare this close to the studios.
From Studio City to Sherman Oaks
Before the Sherman Oaks purchase, the couple lived in a midcentury-modern home in Studio City — roughly 3,200 square feet, which sold in 2020 for $2.255 million. As their family and production company grew, they needed more room.
The San Fernando Valley has drawn more entertainment professionals in recent years, attracted by larger lots, strong schools, and a slower pace. For Banks and Handelman, raising two sons, the trade-off made sense — more space without losing access to Hollywood.
Ranch Architecture with European Influences
The home is a traditional ranch-style residence at its core — single-story, spread wide across the lot — but with European details that set it apart from the typical California ranch.
European-Influenced Ranch Design
The architecture draws from Provence and Tuscany — exposed wood-beam ceilings, arched doorways, and three antique stone fireplaces. But the open floor plan, natural light, and modern finishes keep it grounded in California.
The single-story layout connects every room without the interruptions of stairs or hallways. Floor-to-ceiling windows and wide French doors link the interior to the outdoor spaces.
How Over 6,500 Square Feet Is Organized
More than 6,500 square feet on a single level, divided into distinct zones:
| Area Type | Design Focus | Role in the Home |
|---|---|---|
| Common Areas | Open-concept flow | Family gathering, casual entertaining |
| Private Quarters | Secluded comfort | Bedrooms and spa-like master bath |
| Work Spaces | Creative productivity | Brownstone Productions offices |
| Outdoor Access | Indoor-outdoor living | French doors to a terraced patio and yard |
This zoning lets the couple work, create, and raise a family under one roof.
Interior Design and Materials
The interior reflects Banks’ design sensibility. In a 2017 interview with Architectural Digest, she explained her approach: she tends “to use a lot of neutrals and then use color in accessories” because, as she put it, “you can always change a pillow, but it’s a bit harder to replace wallpaper.”
That approach runs through the Sherman Oaks estate. The material palette is warm, natural, and restrained.
French Oak Floors
French oak flooring runs through the main living areas, its warm grain tying the rooms together and keeping the large spaces from feeling stark.
Wood-Beamed Ceilings and Antique Stone Fireplaces
The exposed wood-beamed ceilings reinforce the ranch character. Combined with three antique stone fireplaces, the interiors have a weight and warmth few Los Angeles homes match.
These are structural, not decorative — exactly the kind of features Banks means when she talks about “great bones.”
The Marble Chef’s Kitchen
The marble-clad chef’s kitchen connects to a casual eat-in dining area and a small den — the family’s everyday center. A separate formal dining room takes care of larger gatherings.
Banks has said that if she walks into a home and “can feel how I am going to entertain my girlfriends for wine and cheese on a Friday night, then that feels like a home to me.” This kitchen delivers that.
A Live-Work Setup for Brownstone Productions
This home doubles as a workplace. Banks and Handelman co-own Brownstone Productions, behind projects like the Pitch Perfect franchise and Cocaine Bear. The house is set up to support that work.
Designing for Brownstone Productions
Dedicated workspaces are built into the layout, so the couple can shift between home and work without leaving the property. For Handelman — a sportswriter, author, and blogger from Portland, Oregon — that quiet matters.
Handelman, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and UCLA, co-authored Why Fantasy Football Matters (And Our Lives Do Not). His shift from sports journalism to film production tracks alongside Banks’ rise in Hollywood.
Balancing Work and Home
The single-story layout helps here. Work zones sit apart from bedrooms and family areas — close enough to stay connected, far enough to keep boundaries.
Outdoor Spaces
The outdoor areas cover most of the over-one-acre lot.
Backyard, Swimming Pool, and Hot Tub
The terraced patio extends from the main living areas through French doors. Beyond it: a swimming pool and hot tub set in manicured landscaping.
The entertaining space is large enough for big groups without losing its sense of seclusion. The listing noted views of the Los Angeles skyline “from every room” in the house.
Over an Acre of Landscaped Grounds
Over an acre of land is rare for the San Fernando Valley. The lot has mature trees, terraced garden levels, and open space for the couple’s two sons to play.
How It Compares to Other Celebrity Homes
Celebrity real estate in Los Angeles tends to follow the same playbook: ultra-modern architecture, maximum square footage, fortress-level security. The Elizabeth Banks house follows a different one.
What Makes This Estate Different
Most high-profile Los Angeles homes prioritize spectacle. This estate prioritizes daily life. The ranch style, single-story layout, and European materials add up to a home built for comfort — not for show.
| Feature | Typical Celebrity Mansion | This Estate |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Grandeur and Hosting | Live-Work Family Balance |
| Architectural Style | Ultra-Modern / Minimalist | Traditional European Ranch |
| Layout | Multi-story | Single-story |
| Lot Size | Compact hillside | Over one acre |
| Location | Beverly Hills / Hollywood Hills | Sherman Oaks (Silver Triangle) |
| Privacy Strategy | Walls and gates | Natural screening and lot size |
High-End Los Angeles Residential Trends
Luxury buyers in Los Angeles are shifting away from oversized showpiece mansions toward homes that support everyday living. The San Fernando Valley — with its larger lots, family neighborhoods, and lower density — benefits from this trend. The Elizabeth Banks house fits squarely in that direction.
Investment Outlook
The $6.85 million price tag is not just a lifestyle choice. The Silver Triangle’s limited inventory and steady demand from high-net-worth buyers make it one of the more stable luxury sub-markets in Los Angeles.
Market Dynamics in the Silver Triangle
Large lots in the Silver Triangle rarely come to market, which keeps prices firm even when the broader market softens. Banks and Handelman bought in 2018, and the property has likely appreciated well since.
Long-Term Appreciation Potential
Ranch-style homes on large lots are disappearing in Los Angeles as developers favor denser construction. That scarcity — combined with the property’s architectural quality and location — should support long-term value.
| Factor | Market Impact | Appreciation Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Location Scarcity | Limited large lots in Silver Triangle | Strong |
| Architectural Style | Rare European-ranch blend | Moderate to High |
| Lot Size (1+ acre) | Premium pricing for Valley | High |
| Renovation Flexibility | “Great bones” allow updates | High |
Conclusion
The Elizabeth Banks house in Sherman Oaks is more than a $6.85 million property. Ranch architecture, European materials, over an acre of private grounds, and built-in workspaces make it unusually functional for the price.
From the Studio City midcentury they sold for $2.255 million to this Silver Triangle compound, Banks and Handelman have made real estate choices that match how they actually live.
Whether you follow celebrity real estate or San Fernando Valley market trends, this estate is a case study in matching a home to its owners.
FAQs
Where is Elizabeth Banks’ house located, and what is it worth?
The Elizabeth Banks house is in the Silver Triangle neighborhood of Sherman Oaks, in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. It was purchased in 2018 for $6.85 million.
What style is the home, and how large is it?
The home is a traditional European-influenced ranch-style residence on a single-story layout. It covers more than 6,500 square feet on a lot of over one acre, with five bedrooms and five bathrooms.
What are the standout interior features?
The interior features French oak floors, exposed wood-beamed ceilings, three antique stone fireplaces, a marble-clad chef’s kitchen, floor-to-ceiling windows, wide French doors, and a spa-like master bathroom.
Where did Elizabeth Banks live before Sherman Oaks?
Before the Sherman Oaks estate, Banks and Handelman lived in a midcentury-modern home in Studio City — approximately 3,200 square feet. That property sold in 2020 for $2.255 million.
What is Max Handelman’s professional background?
Max Handelman is a producer, sportswriter, author, and blogger from Portland, Oregon. He holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and UCLA. He co-authored Why Fantasy Football Matters (And Our Lives Do Not) and co-founded Brownstone Productions with Elizabeth Banks.
What outdoor amenities does the property have?
The estate includes a swimming pool, hot tub, terraced patio, manicured landscaping, and sweeping views of the Los Angeles skyline — all spread across more than one acre.
Why are celebrities choosing Sherman Oaks over Beverly Hills?
Sherman Oaks — particularly the Silver Triangle — offers larger lots, family-friendly neighborhoods, privacy through natural screening, and proximity to studios without the congestion of traditional celebrity enclaves. For families like Banks and Handelman, who have two sons, the area provides the right balance of luxury and normalcy.
Is the $6.85 million property a good investment?
Yes. The Silver Triangle’s limited inventory and the rarity of large-lot ranch properties in Los Angeles give this estate strong long-term appreciation potential.
