EXCL: ‘Booksmart’ Screenwriter Lists Stylish West Hollywood Compound for $2.7 Million

by Hannah Chambers

The 2019 coming-of-age comedy, “Booksmart,” is all about the importance of fostering connection—so it’s no surprise that the film’s co-writer, Emily Halpern, is the owner of a West Hollywood compound centered around closeness.

Halpern, who also wrote the star-studded “80 for Brady,” is looking to offload the storied property, which has hit the market for $2.699 million.

The writer purchased the California Craftsman bungalow for $1.2 million in May 2012 from Terry Masear, the founder of the Los Angeles Hummingbird Rescue, whose story was featured in the 2024 documentary, “Every Little Thing.”

Perched behind private gates on a quiet street, the property features two structures—a three-bedroom, two-bathroom front house and a two-story, one-bedroom back house.

The dwellings are connected by a tiled courtyard, striking the perfect balance of connection and privacy. The outdoor space includes a fountain, a pergola covered in passionfruit, and a pizza oven—perfect for relaxed gatherings.

Residential Gated Entryway with Brick Paver Path and Surrounding Green Hedges — "Booksmart" co-writer Emily Halpern turned this West Hollywood property into a multigenerational compound. (Anthony Barcelo)

Garden Patio Seating Area with Blue Sofa, White Chairs, and Pergola Canopy — The home features two structures connected by a private courtyard with a pizza kitchen, ideal for gathering. (Anthony Barcelo)

Modern Living Room Interior with Neutral Sofa, Leather Armchairs, and Jute Rug — Purchasing the home while single in her 30s, the home evolved as her life did and eventually became a home she shared with her mother, husband, and daughter. (Anthony Barcelo)

Open-Concept Dining Space and Kitchen View with Oval Table and Slender Metal Chairs — The kitchen in the front house is filled with color and natural light.

Halpern moved into the property while single, residing in the front house while her mother called the back structure home.

The property became a true multigenerational home years later, after Halpern married her college friend, a Northern California scientist named Evan. Eventually, the couple would bring home a dog and welcome a baby.

“The home was the first house I purchased, on my own as a single working woman in my 30s,” Halpern tells Realtor.com®. “At that time, it served as my office, my yoga studio, and the place I loved to hang out with friends, and/or my dog.”

Halpern explains that the compound’s layout led to one of her “greatest joys,” which was watching a close relationship develop between her mother and her daughter.

“My daughter would wake up and run out to ‘grandma’s house,’ and my mom, who loves birdwatching, would bring my daughter up to her porch and they’d watch the birds together in the early mornings,” she says.

Spacious Kitchen with Muted Green Lower Cabinets, Tan Tile Countertops, and Stainless Appliances — Indoor and outdoor spaces flow together naturally. (Anthony Barcelo)

Rustic Bathroom with Tiled Soaking Tub, Large Canvas Wall Art, and Walk-In Shower — The primary suite of the front house boasts a sizable bathroom. (Anthony Barcelo)

Home Office Nook with White Desk, Wicker Chair, Area Rug, and Modern Wall Art — Halpern and her husband each created their own dedicated office spaces to work from. (Anthony Barcelo)

Home Gym Setup featuring Stationary Exercise Bike, Weight Bench, and Skateboard Wall Art — The home's garage was converted to a home gym. (Anthony Barcelo)

Covered Outdoor Balcony Deck with Dark Slatted Railing and Modern Mesh Chair — There are plenty of spaces to enjoy the outdoors privately. (Anthony Barcelo)

The homeowner describes the house as a “wonderful gift” to her family, having “become a home for three generations.”

Over the years, the home continued to transform as the family’s needs changed.

The garage was converted to a gym. Workplaces with dedicated office spaces for both Halpern and her husband were added after the COVID-19 pandemic, when many professionals saw a shift to remote work. And the oven outside became a place to make pizza and memories “under the stars.”

“The residences have classic West Hollywood bungalow vibes; charming details, hidden behind gates with dreamy outdoor spaces that make the whole property feel like the neighborhood’s best kept secret,” explain the property’s listing agents, Learka Bosnak and Heather T. Roy of Douglas Elliman.

Bosnak and Roy both agree on the property’s best feature: “Is it too predictable if we both shout ‘pizza oven’ in unison?”

Covered Terracotta Tile Patio with White Lounge Chairs and Entrance Door — The back home is an entire residence of its own, and is where Halpern's mother lived. (Anthony Barcelo)

Bright Galley Kitchen with Off-White Cabinets, Apron Sink, and Hardwood Floors — The back house includes its own gorgeous kitchen. (Anthony Barcelo)

Dining Nook with Built-In Corner Bench, Round Tulip Table, and Round Wall Mirror — The newly updated kitchen is paired with banquet seating bursting with character. (Anthony Barcelo)

Spacious Bedroom Suite featuring Wood-Paneled Nook, Armchair with Stacked Books, and Blue Vases — This reading nook is a favorite spot of listing agents Learka Bosnak and Heather T. Roy. (Anthony Barcelo)

Primary Bedroom View featuring Skylight, Reading Chair Corner, and Area Rug — The back house has a large bedroom. (Anthony Barcelo)

“It is so fun, and they’ve made that space wildly special,” they add.

Pizza isn’t the only delicious food the courtyard produces.

“Every night during the passion fruit season, Emily’s husband, Evan, turns the kitchen into a passion fruit processing station, splitting them open and scooping the sweet and tangy fruit into oversized ice cube trays,” Roy shares.

The listing agents also gush over a cozy space in the back house—a reading nook upstairs that features a warm-wood finish and a peaceful view of the property’s olive trees.

“We’ve always loved intentional living,” shares the real estate duo, whose professional relationship began with the sale of a duplex with a similarly wholesome story.

“Doing things side by side is a lovely way to share all the ups and downs life gives you,” they continue. “You share the responsibilities and then have a built-in crew to share the highlights.”

Bosnak and Roy also believe that whether it’s referred to as co-living, podding, multigenerational living, or friend-based living, this style of life is not new, but rather, a solution people have leaned on for a safe, happy life for a very long time.

“These ideas are trending because there are so many upsides,” they add. “A single example is being able to share a mortgage and taxes when living is very expensive. A more romantic example is Emily’s story.”