Spelling mansion sold to Formula One heiress

The late TV producer Aaron Spelling's mansion and 5-acre estate, ranked as America's most expensive home when it went on the market in 2009, is near the final stages of a sale, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The 57,000-square-foot French chateau-style house originally was listed at an asking price of $150 million, though the amount being paid for it has yet to be reported, the Journal said.

The buyer, according to the newspaper, is Petra Ecclestone, a 22-year-old heiress to her billionaire father Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One racing empire.

She plans on splitting her time between London and Los Angeles in advance of her August wedding to businessman James Stunt, the Journal said.

The home, dubbed "The Manor," was built by Spelling and his wife, Candy, in 1991 in Los Angeles' exclusive Holmby Hills neighborhood.

The property sprawls over 5 acres and features more than 100 rooms, a staircase inspired by the sweeping stairway in the film "Gone with the Wind," and multiple flower-cutting and gift-wrapping rooms.

Jeff Highland of the real estate firm Hilton and Highland, which has had the listing of the home since it went on the market, had no comment in response to inquiries.

A publicist for Candy Spelling also declined comment.

Aaron Spelling, who died in 2006 at age 83, was one of Hollywood's most prolific television producers. His credits included such prime-time series as "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Melrose Place," "Dynasty" and "The Love Boat."