It ain't much -- just 32,000 square feet -- but it's home

Pictured: "In Beverly Hills, a 32,000-square-foot beaux arts mansion that will be sheathed in Portuguese limestone and adorned with gold-plated doorknobs fashioned in France is rising on Sunset Boulevard."

The L.A. Times' Jessica Garrison reports that people with more money than taste who want room enough to hide from their spouses inside their houses are still building obscenely large homes in greater L.A.

Actually those are my words, not hers; she reports: "Anyone who assumed that the construction of mega-mansions would grind to a halt as the economy worsens must not be familiar with the customs of the very rich."

Aside: The economy is not worsening if you make your money getting oil out of the ground in Russia or Saudi Arabia and then selling it to Americans. My guess is some of these edifice wrecks are being built with oil money. You know, black gold. Texas tea. The Holmby Hills Hillbillies.

More from Garrison's article: "Builder John Finton, who is overseeing construction of the 32,000-square-foot house on Sunset Boulevard for businessman C. Frederick Wehba Sr. and his wife, Susan, said he knows of at least 20 20,000-plus square-foot homes under construction or about to break ground in what he called the "platinum triangle" of wealthy areas in Los Angeles County: Beverly Hills, Bel-Air and Holmby Hills.

Uncle Billy, can you please do your thing and give us a little background on C. Frederick Wehba Sr.? Thanks, U.B. Update: Many of you have suggested this website -- C. Frederick Wehba -- for more on the 32,000-square-foot man.

Your thoughts? Comments? E-mail story tips to peter.viles@latimes.com.
Photo credit: L.A. Times

Comments

[Charlotte Martin]

I moved from Kentucky to Texas in the mid '80's. I was a single mother raising my son. I had extraordinary shorthand and typing skills and Fred Wehba hired me as a secretary. Even with 12 years experience as a court reporter for circuit and federal judges, I had to work really hard to keep up with Mr. Wehba. He was very good to all his employees.

I moved back to Kentucky to get married, but stayed in touch with Mr. Wehba and some of the employees after they moved to CA. Then my only son died. I pretty much dropped out of life and lost contact with just about everyone I had ever known. It was very hard to find compassion to the extent one needs it after the death of a child.

Recently I thought about Fred Wehba and I did google his name and decided to send him a message telling him that my son had died 11 years ago. After reading about his success in CA, I doubted that he would e-mail me back and figured that he probably wouldn't even remember me. He called and talked to my mom and then to me. Even though it's been 11 years since my son died, Fred Wehba was just as compassionate as though it had been yesterday. The test of a person's character is to see how they treat those who can do nothing to help them. There are things about a person that are a lot more important than how big of a house they live in - - like how big their heart is.

[Burt Noriega]

Fred and Susan Wehba demostrate the highest level of class and compassion for every human being they have come in contact with. I have been to their home and have communicated with each from time to time and their response is very consistant. They understand and know what is important in life and generousy share with others. I hope they enjoy their new home. Let's not criticize instead, cheer them on! Maybe one day with diligence and similar qualities you may be building your own dream home. The world is yours....make something of it!

[Mike]

I attended the same church as Fred Wehba several years ago and found him to be very personable and down to earth. I have been to his house and ate chili dogs with him and his family. The only difference between Fred and most of the people on this board is, perhaps, the balance in their checking account. Just because a person has a lot of money does not mean that have no regard for people or the environment. I think most of us, if we had the means to do so, would build a larger home in a nicer neighborhood.

[roger]

Did you guys know that C. Frederick Wehba pleaded guilty to feloony charges for fraud. This guy was caught stealling money and what I noticed is that somebody is pushing all the fraud stuff down to hide these cases. Is this guy rich because he is just like all the banking people who are stealing money??? Look up C. Frederick Wehba FRAUD and you will see what I am talking about!!!!