Beverly Hills Wants To Take Over Stewardship Of Robinson Gardens

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Work is underway in the city and county governments to have Beverly Hills take over stewardship of the Virginia Robinson Gardens, which has been under county control for over four decades.

The 6.2-acre historic estate and gardens were bequeathed to the county in 1977 upon the death of Virginia Robinson, the wife of Harry Robinson of Robinson department stores fame. In 2021 public access to the gardens were expanded with new operating hours and rules for special events.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on March 21 voted to study "alternative operational models," for the gardens — Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said that means handing over stewardship of the estate to Beverly Hills.

"We know the city of Beverly Hills will be an excellent steward of the property," she said at Mayor Julian Gold's swearing-in ceremony last month.

Gold worked with Horvath, letting her know that the handoff was a priority for Beverly Hills.

"We should be (stewards of the property) because it is in the middle of the community," Gold said at the ceremony. "We'll be able to administer it in a way that will preserve Robinson Gardens and all that happens there, but at the same time allow Beverly Hills to control the impacts."

Gold said he expects operations of the gardens to look similar to those of Greystone Mansion and Gardens.