Mayor of Nice to Build in Canyon Area

"The mayor's wife is spending a great deal of time designing the house, which he described as 'an authentic English country estate to be built on an extensive lot in Benedict Canyon.' The Medecins' new home will have a long winding drive to a cobblestone courtyard. 'Old street lamps will add to the European character,' along with hand-carved stone, used in the house."

"'Madame Medecin is a native of Los Angeles and when not entertaining her husband's distinguished international guests in the south of France, she will be performing similar duties in her new Beverly Hills home,' he said. 'The mayor is also a well-known gourmet cook, and the new residence will include a specially equipped gourmet kitchen and an authentic tea garden.'"

"Skibben should know something about 'authentic English' estates: He's from Leeds, in the north of England, and has been building custom homes resembling the great houses of his homeland for 30 years, 11 of them in Los Angeles, he said. 'We build strictly for our clients, not on spec,' he explained."

Jacques Medecin, mayor of Nice and former French minister of tourism, and his wife Ilene are constructing a custom home in Beverly Hills' Benedict Canyon area. Trafalgar Developments, led by president Bernard D. Skibben, is handling the project. The residence will feature English country estate architecture with a winding drive, cobblestone courtyard, old street lamps, hand-carved stone, and European design elements. The home will include a gourmet kitchen, tea garden, waterfall, spa, and swimming pool. Display cabinets will showcase the Medecins' Lalique crystal collection. Ilene, a Los Angeles native, will use the home to entertain international guests. Construction is expected to begin in seven to eight weeks.

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