The Freshest House in Los Angeles: Step Inside The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Home!

This one goes out to all you ’90s kids, because today we’re tackling the iconic house from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. That’s right, folks, we’re diving into the history of the Banks family home.

It all began in 1937, when a sprawling Colonial-style home was built in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Located at 251 N. Bristol Ave. and measuring a whopping 6,538 sq. ft., the house certainly makes a statement. On the outside, its large columns add stately charm; inside, the home features five bedrooms, five bathrooms, multiple fireplaces, and a finished basement.

251 N Bristol Ave., c. 2011

Our earliest record of who lived in the home comes from the 1940 Census, which lists the Arnheims as its occupants. Harry Arnheim, his wife Vette, and their daughter Doris Byers lived there with their maid, Evelyn Brown. Harry Arnheim’s occupation was listed as music conductor, while no occupations were recorded for his wife or daughter.

The Arnheims may not have stayed long, as the next document in our timeline (see link below) is a “For Sale” ad from 1940. The ad emphasized a quick sale with the line, “Important we get offer at once,” which makes one wonder why they were in such a hurry. It also noted that the home was being sold at a “sacrifice cost.”

The Los Angeles Times, Jun. 9, 1940

Perhaps that “sacrifice cost” caught the attention of Howard Lang, who purchased the property from Harry Arnheim in September 1940. A sale notice from that year reported that Lang made renovations to the home, increasing its estimated value.

The Los Angeles Times, Sept. 22, 1940

Not much else is known about Lang, but presumably he tried to sell the house in 1949, when another “For Sale” ad appeared. Printed in The Los Angeles Times, the detailed ad described a landscaped yard, a playroom with large windows, a paneled library, and a breakfast room.

The Los Angeles Times, Oct. 30, 1949

The ad may have reached many readers, but only Jesse Kellems took the offer, purchasing the home in late 1949 or early 1950. The 1950 Census lists the Kellems family, including Jesse, his wife Inez, and their son Randolph, along with their servant, Palmera Perez. Jesse Kellems’s occupation was recorded as minister, while no occupation was listed for his wife.

The Kellems remained in the home and appear to have been a socially active family, with several newspaper articles highlighting their gatherings. One article, printed in 1952 by the West Los Angeles Independent, described how the Women’s Guild of the Westwood Hills Christian Church planned a tea at the Kellems’ home.

West Los Angeles Independent, May 15, 1952

A decade later, a 1962 article emphasized the family’s ongoing community presence. Published in the West Los Angeles Independent, it described an event celebrating Jesse Kellems for his contributions to the community, including founding the Westwood Hills Christian Church. The celebration also marked his 70th birthday and the 33rd wedding anniversary of Jesse and Inez.

The Independent, Sept. 13, 1962

Little is known about the Kellems family during the following years until 1977, when The Los Angeles Times published a notice about the death of Inez Kellems. She was survived by her husband Jesse, their son Randolph, and a grandson. Inez passed away on June 29, 1977, at the age of 71.

The Los Angeles Times, Jul. 1, 1977

About a year later, in July 1978, the house was put on the market again, and a notice appeared in The Los Angeles Times. The ad offered only the time and directions for an open house with no description of the property. Records show that the home sold soon after, and Jesse Kellems moved to Vancouver, B.C., to live with his son Randolph. He passed away in 1980 at the age of 87.

The Los Angeles Times, Jul. 6, 1978

The home remained quiet until 1990, when The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air burst onto television screens. The house was used for exterior shots of the Banks family residence, including the iconic moment when Will Smith arrives at the front door in the show’s opening credits. Interior scenes, however, were filmed on a soundstage.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air poster, c. 1990

Even though it was only used for exterior shots, the iconic house instantly became recognizable and forever etched in fans’ memories long after The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ended in 1996.

In 2020, on the 30th anniversary of the show, Will Smith and the current homeowner decided to let fans get a glimpse inside. They turned part of the home into an Airbnb, allowing a few lucky guests to step inside TV history. Guests had access to the pool, a closet full of Will Smith’s clothes to try on, and received a virtual welcome from DJ Jazzy Jeff. At just $30 per night, it was the ultimate dose of ’90s nostalgia, but with limited dates and the fact that only two people were allowed to stay at the same time, only a select few got the chance of a lifetime.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air bedroom, photo courtesy of Airbnb

Today, the house is no longer open to fans and remains private property. If it ever returns to the market, estimates suggest it would fetch around $12 million. Those hoping to catch a glimpse will find only a wall of hedges and a large gate, but while the real house is hidden from view, our 251 N Bristol Ave. timeline is wide open. So if you’re curious about this famous home and want to learn more about its past, you can drive your computer mouse over to the link above explore the full story.