More stories

  • in

    This $5.9 Million Canyonside Home in L.A. Was Once Owned by a Songwriter for the Eagles

    Not too far from Los Angeles’s famed Laurel Canyon—which has long served as a respite for artists—sits a house with similar musical pedigree.

    The five-bedroom property, originally built in 1941, was once the home of the late singer-songwriter JD Souther, best known for co-writing the Eagles’ hits “Best of My Love” and “New Kid in Town.” Tax records show the pop ditty scribe bought the treehouse-like abode in 1990 for $875,000 from television producer Ilene Chaiken (The L Word, The Handmaid’s Tale) and owned it for about a dozen years. During his tenure, Souther enlisted third-generation L.A. architect Stephen Kanner to redesign and expand the residence, which is clad in natural materials like wood and stone. It’s now on the market for $5.9 million, listed by the George Penner Team at Compass.

    Skylights fill the living room with natural light.

    Gavin Cater

    The secluded structure sits among almost an acre of lush greenery, including its own vineyard. On the main floor, there’s a separate living and dining room—the former includes several skylights cut into the wood-beam ceiling, allowing natural light to flood the space. The nearby chef’s kitchen has been updated with modern stainless-steel appliances, which contrast with the wooden cabinetry. Other hangouts down here include a den and a library, with multiple fireplaces for keeping cozy.

    Upstairs, the sizable primary suite includes an entire wall of windows, double closets, and its own built-in reading alcove with yet another fireplace. The stone bathroom’s glass corner picture windows look out onto the surrounding treetops. Two additional bedrooms are found in an adjacent wing, while another guest bedroom with an en suite bathroom is downstairs.

    A snug home theater is tucked down on the lower level along with a wine cellar.

    GavinCater

    Elsewhere, hobbyists will find several spaces suited to their interests. A small screening room is ideal for catching up on your favorite director’s repertoire, while the climatized lower-level wine cellar keeps your bottle collection in tip-top shape. Outside, there are several lounging spaces, including a verdant glade with overhead lights and a fire pit. The pool is accompanied by a pool bath and a detached studio, which could serve as a space for making music, art, or other creative work. With its own veranda and stone fireplace, you can comfortably post up either inside or out.

    Nichols Canyon is navigated by a serpentine road that climbs into the mountains above Hollywood and is home to some pretty spectacular dwellings. Just last month, a 1960s Spanish villa there hit the market for $8.5 million, following a five-year renovation that added features like arched steel windows and handcrafted terracotta tiles.

    Click here to see all the photos of the L.A. home.

    Gavin Cater

    Authors

    Tori Latham

    Tori Latham is a digital staff writer at Robb Report. She was previously a copy editor at The Atlantic, and has written for publications including The Cut and The Hollywood Reporter. When not…

    Read More More

  • in

    The 1917 Spanish Mansion With a Cameo in ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ Can Be Yours for $28.3 Million

    If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a scene from Vicky Cristina Barcelona—preferably one where Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) offers you a glass of Rioja on a sun-drenched terrace—here’s your chance. The real-life villa that served as Judy’s (Patricia Clarkson) house in director Woody Allen’s sultry, award-winning film from 2008 starring Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, and Penélope Cruz is officially on the market, and it’s every bit as romantic, mysterious, and architecturally captivating as you’d expect. 

    Perched atop Putxet Hill near Barcelona’s Tibidabo, the home is the work of Enric Sagnier, the prolific Catalan architect known for his elegant, eclectic style. Sagnier may not be as much of a household name as Antoni Gaudí, but in Barcelona’s architectural scene, he was a star. Known for his refined blend of modernism, art nouveau, and classical flair, Sagnier designed everything from opulent villas to landmark churches. This specific creation, completed in 1917, is a love letter to the Spanish Renaissance, blending the rustic charm of a European country house with ornate Plateresque details—think arched windows, intricate wrought iron, and a grand entrance that feels equal parts palace and movie set. 

    RELATED: Apple TV’s ‘The Studio’ Filmed at These 3 Scene-Stealing John Lautner Houses in L.A.

    A carved wooden staircase hovers over a cozy fireside sitting area.

    Lucas Fox

    On the market for €25 million (about $28.3 million) with Lucas Fox, the house appeared throughout the 2008 rom-com, serving as the atmospheric backdrop for romantic entanglements, philosophical conversations, and plenty of dramatic glances. Spanning roughly 11,000 square feet, the home is packed with cinematic grandeur. The main level opens with a show-stopping arched oak door that leads into a soaring foyer. From there, you’ll find an almost 800-square-foot living and dining space, anchored by a fireplace and flanked by a sunlit gallery. Step through to the terrace, and you’re greeted by a grotto-esque swimming pool framed by the rocky walls of Mount Putxet.

    RELATED: In Rome, a Historic Villa That Starred in “The Equalizer 3” Is Listed at $5.5 Million

    In the eclectically furnished dining room, arched windows opens to a planted terrace.

    Lucas Fox

    The kitchen wing includes a breakfast nook, wine cellar, and a fully outfitted service area. Upstairs, the primary suite sprawls across nearly the entire floor, complete with dual dressing rooms, a nearly 550-square-foot bedroom, and a private terrace. In total, the home comprises seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms, including a third floor with exposed wooden beams and postcard-worthy views of the city. 

    Click here to see more photos of Judy’s house from Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 

    Lucas Fox

    Authors

    Abby Montanez

    Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, entertainment, dining, travel to…

    Read More More

  • in

    Meg Ryan Has Relisted Her Revamped Montecito Estate for $19.5 Million

    Back in summer 2021, soon after Meg Ryan sold a Santa Barbara abode for nearly triple the $5 million she paid for the place just 18 months before, the beloved Sleepless in Seattle actress and interior design enthusiast doled out $9.5 million for a large estate on one of Montecito’s most prestigious streets. Now, after first putting that property up for sale earlier this year at $22.5 million with no takers, the revamped residence has returned to the market with a substantially reduced $19.5 million asking price. Riskin Partners Estate Group at Village Properties has the listing.

    Records show the popular rom-com star, who last appeared on the silver screen in 2023 opposite David Duchovny in What Happens Later, acquired the two-acre estate from Alicia McFarlane, the granddaughter of John Wayne, and her husband James, who had just bought it in 2020 for $5.4 million. Before that, it was owned by the late mystery novelist Sue Grafton and her husband Steve Humphrey. Originally built in 2010, the premises were extensively remodeled during Ryan’s tenure, complete with an additional 3,000 square feet of living space and a new ocean-view front porch donning a fireplace and swinging chair.

    An oversized entry porch is perfect for whiling away a cozy evening in front of the fire.

    Jason Rick for Riskin Partners Estate Group/Luxury Portfolio International

    RELATED: ‘NYPD Blue’ Star Dennis Franz Is Asking $18 Million for His Bucolic Montecito Retreat

    Hidden away from the street beyond a lengthy gated driveway lined with dense greenery, the compound features three separate structures on two acres of hillside land offering up stunning views of the surrounding Santa Ynez Mountains. Among them is the gray and white wood-shingled main house, plus guest quarters atop the three-car garage and a detached cabin—for a grand total of seven bedrooms and six baths in 8,400 square feet.

    Within the primary dwelling, 7,100 square feet of elegant living space boasts dark hardwood floors, lime-washed walls, whitewashed wood-beam ceilings, arched doorways, and an elevator that travels to all three floors. Highlights include a media room and a sleeping porch, along with a spacious fireside living room topped with a statement chandelier. A dining area and a seating nook connect to the sleekly designed kitchen, which sports a marble-clad island, a built-in coffee station, top-tier appliances, a workstation, and a walk-in pantry.

    The living room is adorned with one of three fireplaces Ryan refinished in veined marble.

    Blake Bronstad for Riskin Partners Estate Group/Luxury Portfolio International

    RELATED: Ellen DeGeneres Just Sold a Midcentury Bungalow in Montecito for $5.2 Million

    An elegantly wallpapered primary retreat upstairs comes with a private balcony, a fireside seating area, a walk-in closet, and an indulgent bath spotlighted by a floating vanity and soaking tub, while the park-like grounds are dotted with gardens and a bubbling fountain, as well as numerous spots ideal for alfresco lounging and entertaining. There are also the aforementioned guest quarters—one over the garage coming in at roughly 800 square feet and a secluded cabin holding 454 square feet, and each with its own bedroom and bath.

    Before listing her estate in Montecito—where nearby neighbors include Prince Harry and Meghan Markle—Ryan had already set her real estate sights east, and records indicate that last fall she shelled out about $13.5 million for a 5,000-square-foot traditional shingled home in the Hamptons. We can’t wait to see how she Meg-anizes that one!

    Click here for more photos of the Picacho Lane residence.

    Blake Bronstad for Riskin Partners Estate Group/Luxury Portfolio International

    Authors

    Wendy Bowman

    Wendy Bowman is a real estate writer at Robb Report. Before that, she was a freelancer for Modern Luxury and several other media outlets, where she primarily covered luxury properties for…

    Read More More

  • in

    Inside Taylor Swift’s $150 Million Property Portfolio

    When Taylor Swift isn’t lighting up stadiums or sparking headlines with her professional football-playing boyfriend Travis Kelce, she’s orchestrating a real estate empire that rivals even the most seasoned property moguls. The Grammy-winning songstress, who achieved billionaire status in 2023, largely thanks to the immense success of her blockbuster Eras tour, has crafted an impressive portfolio of residences valued at over $150 million, from the bustling streets of Manhattan to sun-soaked Beverly Hills. 

    Much like her music, Swift’s homes are eclectic, polished, and unmistakably her. There’s the storied Rhode Island mansion that’s played host to her legendary Fourth of July parties—star-studded affairs attended by the likes of Emma Stone, Blake Lively, and Gigi Hadid—a sleek Nashville penthouse nodding to her country roots, and plenty more in between. Though she’s not known to have acquired any homes in the U.S. in a number of years, the Cruel Summer singer reportedly scooped up a home in London recently and has proven she’s equally as adept at navigating the world of ultra-luxury real estate as she is at conquering the charts. Let’s take a closer look at all the homes that anchor Swift’s glamorous yet grounded lifestyle. 

    Hendersonville Hideaway 

    Long before she filled stadiums and dominated the charts, Swift’s real estate journey began in Hendersonville, Tennessee, where her family relocated in 2003 to support her budding music career. In March 2004, they purchased a 6,800-square-foot waterfront home for $790,000. Set on over an acre along the Cumberland River, the spacious abode features four bedrooms and five bathrooms, offering serene views and quiet privacy just outside Nashville. Still owned by Swift’s parents, the property remains a sentimental cornerstone of her early years. 

    Nashville Condo 

    In 2009, Taylor Swift bought her first home, a $1.99 million penthouse in Nashville.

    Jason Kempin/Getty Images

    At just 20 years old, Swift made her first real estate move with the purchase of a luxury penthouse condo in Nashville’s upscale Adelicia building. Picked up in 2009 for $1.99 million, the 4,100-square-foot Music City crash pad features three bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms, with soaring floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of Music Row. Swift personally designed the interiors in a whimsically girlie, shabby-chic-meets-Alice-in-Wonderland style. 

    Forest Hills Home 

    It was long before the crossover entertainer added another Southern gem to her real estate portfolio with the $2.5 million purchase of a stately Greek Revival estate in Nashville’s exclusive Forest Hills neighborhood in mid-2011. Set on six manicured acres, the 5,600-square-foot main residence includes four bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms, complemented by a 2,000-square-foot guesthouse. The elegant interiors feature vaulted ceilings, herringbone wood floors, and marble fireplaces. The grand estate, nicknamed Northumberland, is still owned by Swift and is where her mother Andrea resides. 

    Rhode Island Mansion 

    The singer’s $17.75 million Rhode Island mansion was once owned by Rebekah Harkness.

    Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

    Perched atop the highest point of Watch Hill, Swift’s sprawling Rhode Island estate is one of her most iconic purchases. Hoovered up in April 2013 for $17.75 million, the 11,700-square-foot mansion boasts seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, eight fireplaces, and panoramic views of Block Island Sound and Montauk Point. The historic property was once home to eccentric heiress Rebekah Harkness, whom Swift immortalized in her 2020 track The Last Great American Dynasty. Known for hosting legendary Fourth of July parties at the estate, Swift is reportedly undertaking a $1.7 million expansion—a new bedroom suite, additional bathrooms, and a full kitchen renovation—solidifying the estate’s status as a coastal palace befitting pop royalty. 

    New York City Penthouses 

    Swift’s Tribeca holdings include two penthouses bought in 2014 for $19.95 million

    Google Earth

    Swift’s Tribeca takeover began in 2014, when she purchased two adjacent penthouses from Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson for a combined $19.95 million. The penthouses—one about 5,900 square feet with seven bedrooms and five baths, the other roughly 2,400 square feet with three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths—were seamlessly combined into a sprawling 10-bedroom, 10-bathroom duplex complete with a billiards room and sweeping staircase. In November 2017, Swift expanded her domain, purchasing a 3,500-square-foot, three-bedroom loft on the building’s second floor for $9.75 million from financier Jeremy Phillips.

    Beverly Hills Estate 

    In 2015, Swift bought a historic Georgian Revival mansion in Beverly Hills for $25 million.

    Google Earth

    Having already owned a couple of homes in L.A., in September 2015, Swift set her sights on a storied slice of Hollywood history: an 11,000-square-foot Georgian Revival estate in Beverly Hills formerly owned by legendary film producer Samuel Goldwyn. The $25 million mansion, built in 1934, comprises seven bedrooms and six bathrooms. Swift successfully petitioned the Beverly Hills City Council in 2017 to designate the home as a historic city landmark. Of the three Los Angeles homes Swift has owned over the years, this pedigreed residence stands as the crown jewel.

    Tribeca Townhouse 

    In September 2017, Taylor Swift added a Tribeca trophy to her real estate portfolio, snapping up a historic townhouse for $18 million. The 5,148-square-foot, 27-foot-wide residence—once owned by disgraced French diplomat Dominique Strauss-Kahn—was purchased via Euro Tribeca LLC, a shell company tied to Swift’s longtime real estate attorney. Built in 1915 and masterfully renovated by architect Leopoldo Rosati, the three-story home features four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a gym, a spa with a steam bath, radiant-heated limestone floors, and a paparazzi-proof garage. A Japanese glass wall frames the planted terrace, ensuring privacy and serenity in the heart of downtown Manhattan. 

    For So Long, London

    Rumor has it that in 2023, Swift quietly snapped up a £10 million (roughly $13 million) home in one of North London’s most exclusive enclaves. Swift is no stranger to U.K. real estate—she’s previously rented homes in the Cotswolds and famously shared a Primrose Hill townhouse with ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn. But this time, numerous unconfirmed reports say she’s officially pulled the trigger, turning her long-running love affair with the British capital into something a little more permanent. The spread, reportedly once owned by an English politician, is undergoing significant renovations, with planning documents hinting at a private compound that includes a swimming pool and an orangery.  

    Authors

    Abby Montanez

    Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, entertainment, dining, travel to…

    Read More More

  • in

    Stevie Nicks’s Former Beachfront Condo in L.A. Lists for $4 Million

    Having dreams (or maybe crystal visions) of owning a SoCal beach house with a celeb-pedigreed history? Then you might want to stop draggin’ your feet around and make your way over to this iconic Los Angeles property before it’s gone!

    An ultra-cool beachfront condo owned by legendary singer, songwriter, and storyteller Stevie Nicks in the 1970s and early 1980s has just popped up for sale in the Venice-adjacent neighborhood of Marina del Rey for the first time in more than three decades. The asking price is a dash under $4 million, with the listing held by Shelton Wilder and Elana Besserman of Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California.

    The condo building sits directly on the beach, within walking distance of the Venice Pier.

    Neue focus

    RELATED: Rocker Gene Simmons Is Rolling Out of His $14 Million Ultra-Modern Villa in Beverly Hills

    Nicks—the first woman to be inducted twice into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist—handed over the keys to her residence within the boutique three-unit building along Outrigger Street to Madeline and Philip Schwarzman in 1982. The couple, who just so happen to be Besserman’s parents, decided to move to another spot in the complex when the listing agent was 5 years old and ultimately sold the place to its current owners in 1991.

    On the second floor of the 1970s-built structure, the two-bedroom, three-bath abode features a little more than 2,000 square feet of era-appropriate living space offering sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. An elevator opens directly into a small foyer, which flows to a sunken fireside living room lined with a wall of slanted picture windows. Holding court a couple of steps above the living room is a den leading out to a covered balcony, as well as a dining area that connects to a wood-clad kitchen outfitted with a granite backsplash and countertops, newer appliances, and an eat-in island.

    Though it still retains a 1980s vibe, the kitchen has been updated with modern appliances.

    Neue focus

    RELATED: Courtney Love’s Former Manhattan Loft Is Up for Grabs at $9.5 Million

    Sequestered down a hallway are the bedrooms, which include a primary suite hosting a fireplace, a spacious walk-in closet, and a bath equipped with dual vanities, a built-in soaking tub, and a glass-encased shower, along with an en-suite guest bedroom/sitting room that has an adjoining sunroom. There’s also an in-unit washer and dryer, along with a $1,000-per-month HOA fee that allows access to a communal rooftop patio, plus two assigned parking spots in the attached garage.

    At 76, Nicks is currently working on a new album and preparing to embark upon a nine-city concert tour that kicks off in August and runs through October. On the residential front, the eight-time Grammy winner has long owned a $9 million home and a nearby condo in the Pacific Palisades area of L.A.

    Click here for more photos of the Marina del Rey residence.

    Neue focus

    Authors

    Wendy Bowman

    Wendy Bowman is a real estate writer at Robb Report. Before that, she was a freelancer for Modern Luxury and several other media outlets, where she primarily covered luxury properties for…

    Read More More

  • in

    David Duchovny’s Longtime Malibu Home Lists for $12.5 Million

    David Duchovny acquired a landlocked 1950s abode in the gated Point Dume enclave of Malibu almost a decade ago and then proceeded to build a brand-new modern home in its stead. There, amid the site that he’s referred to as his “magical place,” the veteran film and TV actor also kitted out an existing train caboose where he went on to pen his 2021 novel Truly Like Lightning and record episodes of his Fail Better podcast.

    The X-Files and Californication star has now chosen to part ways with his beloved digs and has the spot up for sale, asking $12.5 million—around $7.8 million more than he paid back in mid-2016. Based in New York at the time, Duchovny first rented the property from The X-Files writer/producer Chris Carter as a Los Angeles pied-à-terre before buying the property and making it his primary residence, according to The Wall Street Journal.

    The living area has a wall of pivoting glass doors opening out to the backyard.

    Cristian Cruzio

    RELATED: Kanye West’s Former Malibu Home Sells for More Than $30 Million After Less Than a Week

    Nestled beyond a gated driveway on just over an acre of land, the wood-sided structure has three bedrooms and five baths in roughly 3,580 square feet of open-plan living space with polished cement floors, high ceilings dotted with clerestory windows and skylights, and smart-home systems. Large pivoting glass doors provide seamless indoor/outdoor environs.

    Standing out is the spacious great room, which holds a living room, a dining area, and a kitchen outfitted with custom cabinetry, stone countertops, and top-tier Miele and Fisher & Paykel appliances. The primary suite flaunts a walk-in closet, plus a luxe bath sporting a clawfoot soaking tub and a steam shower. Two more en-suite bedrooms each have white oak floors and built-in closets, while an office overlooks picturesque grounds hosting a lap pool and a sunken fire pit.

    A vintage train caboose at the far end of the estate has been converted into a guest retreat.

    Cristian Cruzio

    RELATED: The Epic Pool at This $25 Million Malibu Home Will Make Your Favorite 5-Star Jealous

    Topping off the listing, which is held by Chris Cortazzo of Compass, is a detached building that currently serves as a gym, as well as the aforementioned caboose-turned-guesthouse, which has its own living and sleeping area, kitchen, built-in dining nook, bath, and rooftop deck. The property also transfers with a deeded access key to a secluded beach.

    Per WSJ, the 64-year-old New York native and two-time Golden Globe-winning actor has decided to sell because his children are grown. Duchovny, who recently launched his Secrets Declassified docuseries on the History Channel, reportedly still owns an apartment in New York and a house in Costa Rica.

    Click here for more photos of the Point Dume residence.

    Cristian Cruzio

    Authors

    Wendy Bowman

    Wendy Bowman is a real estate writer at Robb Report. Before that, she was a freelancer for Modern Luxury and several other media outlets, where she primarily covered luxury properties for…

    Read More More