Villa Blanca Lifestyle Grand Opening Gala Benefiting the California Heritage Collective

Home, Restaurant Row, Style — By Buddy Sampson on July 11, 2026 at 8:56 am

The Historic 1929 Spanish Villa Opened as a Luxury Event & Social House in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, California- Villa Blanca Lifestyle, an elegant venue in Toluca Lake, opened in May, and it debuted with verve, sophistication and fun.

“What I wanted to bring to Los Angeles was hospitality, “said Ashley Murphy, Founding Partner, Villa Blanca Lifestyle. “I’m from Texas, and hospitality is a big deal for me, so I wanted to see more of that in the restaurant/hospitality space- just that feeling of being at home, being welcomed, a come and stay sort of thing, where you know everybody, a central hangout. I really wanted to create that in Toluca Lake. I’m a big history nerd, I researched the heck of this place, and it had an incredible backstory.”

Conveniently located in Toluca Lake, Villa Blanca Lifestyle celebrated the restoration and rebirth of one of Los Angeles’ treasured historic estates. The exclusive evening benefitted the California Heritage Collective, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving California history through educational programs, student field trips, and restoration of historic properties. “This is a historic cultural landmark,” said Sasha Kerbel, one of the co-founders. “Actually, the first person who suggested it was Roy Disney of the Disney family. It was the place to be in the 1930’s. We are restoring the villa, we brought back life here and we want to turn it into a cultural place and social event house.”

The extravaganza had an auction, a jazz group, various specialty cocktails, a dancer and personalities from all walks of life. Among the many colorful personalities was a personal favorite, The Caviar Guy Nomad, Skye Victoriano, who told jokes and made everyone in attendance feel special.

There were several special attendees at the event, including Katerina Touchon, Villa Blanca Lifestyle’s Art and Culture Ambassador, also the co-founder of Fading Square, a Foundational Marketing Agency.

Also in attendance was Anton Artemyev, a well-known entrepreneur, designer and meteorite enthusiast from Saint Petersburg,Russia, who specializes in creating jewelry and collectibles from space matter.

Located at 10623 Riverside Drive, the iconic Bakman House is a distinguished 1929 Spanish-style villa that has been thoughtfully transformed into a luxury event venue, social house, and private lifestyle destination for curated stays and cultural gatherings. The evening featured luxury event showcases, curated caviar and charcuterie experiences, signature handcrafted cocktails and had several of Los Angeles’ top event vendors.

The event also highlighted the rich history of the Bakman House and its significance within Los Angeles preservation efforts. The property was officially deemed a historical landmark through the advocacy of Roy Disney, whose commitment to preserving California’s architectural heritage helped secure recognition for the estate’s cultural and historical importance. Proceeds and awareness generated from the gala will support the California Heritage Collective’s initiatives focused on historical education, preservation advocacy, and restoration projects throughout California.

Villa Blanca Lifestyle is a one-of-a-kind gathering place where history, culture, and community come together. Housed within the iconic The Bakman House, a beautifully preserved Spanish Colonial Revival estate, Villa Blanca offers a warm “home away from home” atmosphere for weddings, private celebrations, corporate events, filming, photo shoots, and exclusive cultural experiences.

More than just a venue, Villa Blanca is a destination—hosting an ever-evolving calendar of curated events, from elegant soirées and networking mixers to wellness experiences, live entertainment, art exhibitions, and community gatherings. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, creating content, or simply looking for a place to connect and be inspired, Villa Blanca invites you to experience the charm, beauty, and hospitality of one of Toluca Lake’s most distinctive historic landmarks.

If you’d like to host your gathering, including birthdays, anniversaries, wedding parties or musical events in an elegant, sophisticated, but comfortable space, then you must contact Villa Blanca. It is simply an amazing venue. “This is actually a luxury stay,” said Ashley Murphy. “You can have your rehearsal dinner on a Friday night, your wedding on a Saturday and a brunch on Sunday- you can have the property all to yourself.”

For press inquiries, sponsorships, or RSVP information, please contact: Ashley Murphy, Founding Partner- Villa Blanca Lifestyle 424.355.5580 info@villablancalifestyle.com.

Upcoming Events:

July 12th & 26th – Amalfi Summer Pop-Up Markets. Sponsored by AT&T. Free entrance. Vendors and sponsors – please contact info@villablancalifestyle.com.

July 19th – Wellness Day: meditation, food, rest, and sunset disco! From 11:00 am till 10:00 pm. Dogs are welcome. Tickets $25 early bird till July 17th to @villablancalifestyle, or $35 at the door after that.

July 25th – Garden Tea with Queens. $115 per ticket. Fundraiser benefitting charity (will give you details later). Two winners of the USA leg of Mrs. Globe are hosting. Ticket includes: tea and dessert buffet table; crochet class with everyone leaving with a handmade item crocheted by themselves; beauty class, one raffle ticket. Sponsors encouraged to apply. operations@villablancalifestyle.com, subject “Garden Tea Sponsorship”. Various sponsor packages. Tickets? operations@villablancalifestyle.com.