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Inside the Robin’s Nest: Why the Original Magnum P.I. House Was Demolished
The Robin's Nest is an iconic part of Magnum, P.I. but it's no longer standing these days.
On Magnum P.I. many of the settings are as beautiful and colorful as the characters.
That includes the Robin’s Nest, the gorgeous Hawaiian estate where private investigator Thomas Magnum, played by Jay Hernandez, resides rent-free thanks to the generosity of the mysterious multimillionaire author Robin Masters.
Prime-time crash pads don’t come more deluxe than this — and it’s easy to see why the palatial property plays a prominent role in the reboot, as well as the original 1980s series starring Tom Selleck.
Where Was the Original Robin's Nest in Magnum, P.I.?
But a little birdie tells us not to go looking for the actual Robin’s Nest today. The estate that became known as the Robin's Nest was demolished in April 2018, around the same time the Magnum P.I. reboot came into being.
The oceanfront estate in Waimanalo had plenty of history. It was built in 1933, according to Honolulu Magazine, and was designed by Louis Davis, an American architect known for homes and public buildings in Hawaii. One of the showpieces of the estate was a lovely tidal pool.
For many years the Robin’s Nest was owned by Eve Anderson, a local politician. It was alternately called the Anderson Estate and the Robin’s Nest.
RELATED: Yes, You Can Now Take A Magnum P.I.-Inspired Helicopter Tour
Why Was the Original Robin's Nest Estate in Magnum, P.I. Torn Down?
But in 2014, the estate was listed for sale for $15.8 million. It sold for $8.7 million in March 2015, which is when the plans to raze the sprawling property were formulated, according to Hawaii News Now.
The property, which has been used in other TV series, including Hawaii Five-0, was reportedly in need of major repair.
Just like on Magnum P.I., where the sleuths are always knee-deep in drama, the demolition of the Robin’s Nest raised some controversy, according to the Historic Hawaii Foundation.
After news of the demolition was announced, the Historic Hawaii Foundation was “contacted by several members of the community with questions about how an iconic and historically significant property could be demolished without review,” the organization reported.
However, the move still went through.
Where Is the Robin's Nest in the New Magnum P.I. Series?
On the NBC series reboot, Thomas Magnum takes full advantage of the Robin’s Nest amenities as he and Juliet Higgins (Perdita Weeks) take their romance to the next level (and out from under wraps) with the wine cellar stocked with rare vintages and the oversize spa-style showers big enough for two.
In the same way, the show takes full advantage of the breathtaking beauty of Hawaii as it shoots on the island of Oahu.
“We used every inch of that Island,” Eric Guggenheim, showrunner for Magnum P.I., told NBC Insider. “No matter where you are, it’s beautiful. It’s so picturesque. There are no bad angles on that island.”
And if the Robin’s Nest is no longer part of the landscape, you can still savor the new version on Magnum P.I.
Watch Magnum P.I. on NBC Sundays at 9/8c and next day on Peacock.
