AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: January 13, 2026
Item Number:
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Sara Scrimshaw, Venue Supervisor – Historic Site
Joana Torres, Community Services Manager
Subject: REQUEST FOR A FULL CLOSURE OF GREYSTONE
MANSION AND GARDENS: THE DOHENY ESTATE TO
THE PUBLIC ON JANUARY 26 AND JANUARY 27, 2026
FOR FILMING BY GLASS ENGINE
Attachments: None
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve the closure of Greystone Mansion & Gardens: The Doheny Estate (Greystone) to the public for two days: January 26 and 27, 2026 as part of a private rental.
INTRODUCTION
During the 2025-2026 review of Taxes, Fees, and Charges, City Council approved a daily Park Closure Private Rental fee of $25,000. This fee would allow the closure of Greystone to the public for private events and filming. This fee is in addition to all facility rental charges, filming permits, and staffing charges. This fee is subject to Council approval therefore, each request will be brought forward for City Council’s consideration.
DISCUSSION
Glass Engine, a production company, has submitted a film application for Greystone, to hold a press junket for an upcoming Warner Brothers film for a total of 6 days at the end of January. This rental will include two days to load-in on January 23 and 24, three days for the press junket on January 26, 27, and 28, with an invitation-only reception the evening of January 26, and one strike day on January 29. The rental will include usage of the interior of the mansion and multiple areas throughout the grounds.
Glass Engine has requested to close Greystone to the public on January 26 and January 27 for use of the full property for filming. Filming on January 28 will take place inside the mansion and on limited areas of the grounds as covered by the standard fees, so no park Meeting Date: January 13, 2026
closure is requested that day. The City is able to accommodate this request should City Council approve as there is no scheduled programming or other rental reservations during the requested closure time. Glass Engine has been working with the City to ensure the load-in has been scheduled around the first Music in the Mansion concert on Sunday, January 25 and will not impact the previously scheduled concerts.
Greystone Mansion and Gardens sees about 150-250 visitors per day on weekdays in late January. Staff will ensure notice is posted regarding the closure onsite and social media working with the Communication Office as well as the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Conference and Visitors Bureau. Staff will also work with local hotels to provide updated information on park access.
Use of the Greystone parking lot for construction parking rental may be affected by the closure, this detail is still being worked out between Glass Engine and City staff. If construction parking cannot take place due to need for the full parking lot, the revenue loss will be $800 for two days. Please note permits are not yet issued for construction parking during these two days and revenue loss is estimated based on current permits.
Operations will not be impacted as Park Rangers will be onsite and prepared to support the permitted parking of vehicles for hillside construction, in addition to vehicles related to the filming rental.
FISCAL IMPACT
This rental and full park closure will not result in a loss of revenue as the park is open daily for free and there are no scheduled ticketed events that will be impacted. If City Council approves the 2-day closure of Greystone, there will be an additional $50,000 in revenue to the estimated rental fees, for a total estimated revenue of $158,270 as further described below.
Filming Permits $76,209
Event Permits $14,704
Park Rangers $18,157
2 Day Park Closure (if approved) $50,000
Potential loss from construction parking
permits
($800)
Total Revenue $158,270
Stephanie Harris
Director of Community Services
Approved By