James Hughes says the open, flowing floor plan of his 1947 Mediterranean-style home in the Hollywood/Santa Monica neighborhood was made to accommodate guests.

This month, he expects more than 1,000 of them.

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Hughes’ home at 918 Monte Vista Drive is one of five featured in the 14th Annual Hollywood Home Tour, scheduled April 29-May 1.

“My neighbors were asking me for several years, and I guess I just felt like this was my year,” says Hughes, who bought his house nine years ago.

The Hollywood/Santa Monica Neighborhood Association holds its home tour each year to provide a peek at the area’s historic and varied architectural styles. A city conservation district protects the neighborhood.

Three Tudors and a French revival round out the homes on the tour. Residents believe the neighborhood features the largest collection of stone-embellished Tudor cottages in the nation.

The tour runs from noon-6 p.m. April 30 & May 1. But an additional public event was added this year to kick off the weekend.

A candlelight tour followed by a party at the old Major Theatre, which now houses the Propel Group offices and conference center at 2830 Samuell, will be held Friday night. Previous opening night parties were invitation-only to limit attendance because they were held in neighborhood homes.

“This is the first time this has really been open to the public,” says committee member Michael Cheever.

Party guests will tour the homes from 6-8 p.m., then move to the Latin-themed party featuring live music, hors d’oeuvres and silent and live auctions.

“The party should really be a blast,” Cheever says.

Proceeds from the home tour primarily benefit J.L. Long Middle School, but some money will go to neighborhood charities and projects such as park improvements, Cheever says. The association pays for additional landscaping and extra summer trash cleanup at Lindsley Park.

Past home tours have raised between $15,000 and $20,000. All of the party proceeds are designated for Long, which should allow the association to double its donation to the school, Cheever says.

The home tour selection committee chooses houses that reflect a variety of the neighborhood’s architectural styles with an eye on renovations that preserve the homes’ history.

Michael Gregory’s French revival at 510 Newell features floor-to-ceiling diamond-paned windows across the front and a collection of antiques and art that gives it the air of an English Country Manor.

Dan and Diane Nipper own a Tudor at 722 Newell that has an expansive kitchen opening to a tiered, gardened deck and is decorated with a French antique flair.

The 1927 traditional Tudor cottage at 803 Cordova was remodeled in 1996 by owners Jenny and Nina Connally to include a gourmet kitchen with a hand-hammered copper farmhouse sink.

A 1930s Tudor at 7000 San Mateo was neglected as a rent house for years before new owner Sydney Staff revived it by removing paint from the stone exterior and adding period tiles and fixtures to the bathrooms.

Home tour organizers say Hughes has turned his one-of-a-kind Austin-stone house into a showpiece of craftsmanship and luxury. The pie-shaped lot, rounded features and angled walls make it unique, Hughes says. His Realtor even remembered the house from childhood visits to her grandfather’s home one street away.

“I wanted something no one else had,” Hughes says.

Tickets to the April 29 candlelight tour and preview party must be purchased in advance on the Hollywood/Santa Monica Neighborhood Association’s Web site at hsmna.org or by calling 214-328-1851. Tickets are $40 per person.

Tickets for April 30 & May 1 can be purchased beginning one week before the tour at Minyard Food Stores in Lakewood, Blow Salon and Larry Davidson Salon. Tickets will be available at Lindsley Park and all of the homes on tour days. Tickets are $10 per person.