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After Two Years, an Heiress’s Bel Air Mansion Finally Sells to a Fashion Entrepreneur
After a little more than two years and a couple of substantial price chops, media heiress and former actress Taylor Thomson has finally managed to unload her longtime Bel Air home for $27 million in an off-market deal. And though that’s far less than the member of one of Canada’s wealthiest families originally wanted, it’s still a whopping $19.6 million more than she paid for the place some 23 years ago.
Records indicate the discount-minded buyers who bought the English Tudor-style estate are digital entrepreneur Katherine Power and her husband, celebrity photographer Justin Coit. A cofounder of the Los Angeles-based fashion and shopping website Who What Wear—which was acquired by the British media company Future for an undisclosed sum in 2022—Power served as CEO of parent company Clique Brands for several years. She now operates the beauty brands Merit and Versed, and also owns the organic wine brand Avaline with actress Cameron Diaz.
As for the pair’s new digs, they were constructed and designed way back in 1926 by noted Hoover Dam architect Gordon Kaufmann. One of the first homes ever built in Bel Air, the premises underwent an expensive renovation and restoration by Thomson during her lengthy tenure.
An aerial view of the Bel Air property.
Google Images
Resting on a prime street, amid an acre-plus parcel dotted by mature sycamore and redwood trees, the property features a six-bedroom main house boasting nearly 9,000 square feet of living space punctuated throughout with colorful tile, vintage light fixtures, metal window frames, arched doorways and soaring wood-beam ceilings. There’s also a two-story guest house with a duo of bedrooms and an attached three-car garage.
Among the highlights: a formal living room displaying a stone-clad fireplace, an adjacent wood-paneled library and a fireside dining room that opens to a terrace. There’s also a gourmet kitchen decked out with marble countertops, top-tier stainless appliances, a spacious center island and floor-to-ceiling tile, as well as a plush master retreat flaunting a fireplace, walk-in closets and a spa-like bath.
Elsewhere in the house are five additional bedrooms, including a Moroccan/Turkish-inspired guest suite spotlighted by a French copper cheese vat that’s been converted into a tub; and outdoors, the lush A.E. Hanson-designed grounds host a large pool and spa enveloped by a grassy lawn, along with hidden meadows and pocket gardens.
With an estimated net worth of around $3 billion, Thomson is currently ranked as Canada’s second-richest woman. She’s a member of the Thomson family, which has amassed a collective fortune of about $44 billion as stewards of a media empire founded by her grandfather Roy Thomson; their biggest asset is Woodbridge, a holding company with a controlling stake in Thomson Reuters.
In addition to her just-sold Bel Air property, Thomson still maintains a multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio that includes a Santa Monica compound that had a starring role in Beverly Hills Cop and an 1880s mansion once owned by Gordon Lightfoot in Toronto’s pricey Bridle Path neighborhood, where one of her nearest neighbors is Drake. Power and Coit still lay claim to a 1920s Spanish-Colonial residence in the Little Holmby neighborhood of L.A. they picked up for $4.2 million in 2015 that has since been revamped and showcased in Architectural Digest.
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Marshmello Spins Out of His $15 Million Beverly Hills Mansion
Chris Comstock is only 31 years old, but the Philadelphia native is already cashing in big, having sold his lavish mansion in the mountains above Beverly Hills for exactly $15 million in an off-market deal. That’s way more than the $10.8 million Comstock—better known to his millions of EDM fans as Marshmello, the bucket-hat wearing DJ—paid for the place less than four years ago, back in summer 2020. The all-cash buyers, according to tax records, are Hovig and Annie Safoian—the married co-founders of cloud solutions provider SADA Systems. SADA, long a family-owned company, was recently acquired in a landmark deal valued at approximately $800 million.
It’s been a nonstop party since 2015 for Comstock and his chewily sweet alter-ego, which established itself as one of the world’s top electronic music acts seemingly overnight. Behind the slickly produced hit records (“Silence,” “Wolves,” “Friends,” “Alone”) and the omnipresent smiley bucket head is Marshmello’s well-oiled marketing dream team; his hard-charging manager Moe Shalizi is often credited for the speedy creation of the Marshmello brand, and networking has helped, too—early shoutouts from other big-name EDM acts like Skrillex and Tiesto proved invaluable to his early success.
The former Marshmello house is located in Mulholland Estates, a guard-gated community where other residents include Kendall Jenner, Paris Hilton and Christina Aguilera.
Google Earth
Built in 1992 and designed by Richard Landry—the celebrity-favored architect who frequently puts the “extra” in extravagant—the stylistically opaque house boasts interiors by celebrity designer Jeff Lewis, who was hired to right previous decor wrongs. The blindingly white result has more than a subtle Miami vibe.
While the house itself is not gated, the property lies within a 24/7 guarded community with frequent patrols and a plethora of security cameras. Glass front doors open into a double-height foyer with marble floors. Flanking the foyer are a fireplace-equipped living room and a dining room with dual chandeliers. Just beyond lies an eat-in kitchen with dual islands and all the expected top-of-the-line stainless appliances.
There’s also a library/office and a family room that opens, via French doors, to a sprawling back patio. Upstairs are four ensuite bedrooms, including a jazzed-up master with its own kitchenette, plus spa-style bath and dual closets. The nearly 8,000-square-foot mansion also boasts a finished basement level; a lounge/entertainment center with a snazzy wet bar await downstairs. Out back, the hillside lot is steep but nicely terraced with adequate patches of grassy lawn and concrete terraces for al fresco dining.
No word yet regarding where Comstock plans to move, but the musical sensation still owns three smaller but still multimillion-dollar homes scattered around Los Angeles. At least two of those properties are reportedly occupied by family members. More
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A Hawaii Hideaway Once Owned by ‘Firefly Lane’ Writer Kristin Hannah Just Listed for $9 Million
Always wanted to live like a celebrity—specifically, a successful and prolific novelist with countless bestselling books under her belt? Now’s your chance, because the striking Hawaii estate that Kristin Hannah once called home just popped up for sale on Kauai‘s north shore, asking a dash under $9 million.
With three bedrooms and a matching number of baths spread across nearly 2,800 square feet of open-concept living space, the residence offers plenty of room for any like-minded writer to easily conjure up ideas in style while enjoying sweeping ocean views. Famously owned by Hannah for nearly 18 years, property records show the place was last sold for just over $7 million in spring 2021 to Aranzazu Casal, the widow of Apple software engineer François Jouaux.
“For me, paradise begins on this pink, shell-strewn ribbon of Anini Beach,” Hannah said of her island home when it first hit the market back in 2018. “From the moment you pull into the crushed coral driveway and park under the giant palms, you feel it: a stillness that soothes the busiest soul.”
A wraparound lanai overlooks the lush backyard and ocean beyond.
Keani Andrade
Built and designed by architect Norman Lacayo in the late 1990s—and tucked away on a lush half-acre parcel offering 150 feet of frontage on Anini Beach, not far from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s vast compound—the multi-level structure boasts a mix of travertine and bamboo floors, high ceilings and pocketing glass doors spilling out to a wraparound lanai.
Upon entering the antique carved-wood front door, steps lead up to a spacious living room that connects via a dining area to a gourmet kitchen boasting custom Koa cabinetry, a breakfast bar and stainless appliances. Other highlights include two downstairs bedrooms that share a bath, and an upstairs master retreat featuring an oceanfront office with a built-in desk where Hannah penned many of her novels, plus a spa-like bath sporting a dressing area, sunken tub and separate walk-in shower.
An attached two-car garage has been transformed into a multi-purpose bonus space.
Keani Andrade
Elsewhere is a two-car garage that’s been converted into a lounge and recreation area; and outdoors, the picturesque backyard hosts an al fresco shower, along with a grassy swath of lawn and pathway heading directly to the sand. An added bonus: The home transfers with a coveted short-term vacation rental license.
The lawyer-turned-writer—who bought the house with her husband Benjamin for $4.4 million back in 2003—has written numerous novels, including The Nightingale, The Great Alone, The Four Winds and Firefly Lane, the latter of which became a Netflix series starring Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke.
The listing is held by Amy Frazier of Hawaii Life.
Click here for more photos of Kristin Hannah’s former Hawaii house.
Keani Andrade More
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Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer Are Selling Their Custom-Built L.A. Home for $8 Million
Known for their co-starring roles on HBO’s hit vampire drama True Blood, real-life couple Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer are parting ways—with their home, that is. And if you want to sink your teeth into their stately abode in Southern California, it’ll cost you a cool $8 million.
The property, which measures 7,102 square feet, sits on a large double lot not far from the world-famous (and always entertaining) Venice Beach Boardwalk. According to records, the Hollywood duo purchased the property back in 2009 for $2.2 million. They’ve since transformed the humble beach cottage that stood on the property into a sprawling contemporary residence. They first tried to sell in 2020, listing the beachy spread for a hefty $14 million. It did not entice a buyer, and since then, the residence has been on and off the market at lower prices.
The third floor has an open kitchen, dining, and living area that extends to a rooftop deck.
Anthony Barcelo
The actors tapped architect David Hertz—who designed Hank Moody’s (David Duchovny) house on Showtime’s Californication—to re-imainge the property shortly after they bought it. The project ended up taking seven years. Today, the boxy structure is wrapped head-to-toe in Alaskan yellow cedar. Specifically, Hertz opted to recycle the original, circa-1919 benches from the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles to craft the façade. He told Architectural Digest that he wanted “the outside to look like driftwood” and that the goal was for the home to resemble a ship, complete with steel railings and teak decks.
When it comes to the layout, the floor plan is flipped, meaning all common areas are on the third floor to maximize access to light, breezes, and views, while the bedrooms are nestled underneath. The open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area on the top floor leads to a rooftop deck that overlooks the ocean. Other standout features include a Zen garden, a partially covered swimming pool, a sauna, a spa, and a fitness room.
The home was custom-built in 2017 by architect David Hertz.
Anthony Barcelo
The compound comprises a five-bed, eight-bath main house. The original beach bungalow was renovated is now incorporated into the existing home. In terms of décor, the salt-air-licked house fits right in with the neighborhood’s free-spirited, bohemian vibe. There’s concrete flooring and tons of eco-friendly touches, including energy-efficient lighting. “There are also skylights that open to draw prevailing breezes in to passively cool the house with natural ventilation,” Hertz told the magazine.
Click here to see all the photos of Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer’s L.A. home.
Anthony Barcelo
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, dining, travel and topics…
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In San Diego, a Documentary Filmmaker’s Longtime Victorian Beach House Lists at $3.6 Million
Just across the bay from downtown San Diego—on a charming isle best known as the site of the famed Hotel del Coronado—a historic residence long owned by Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker/psychotherapist Ira Wohl has recently come on the market for the first time in almost three decades, asking a smidge over $3.6 million.
Built way back in 1890—and affectionately referred to by locals as the “red Victorian”—the two-story dwelling lies in the desirable Golden Triangle area and is said to be one of the oldest surviving Queen Anne Victorian-style structures on all of Coronado Island. Three bedrooms and two baths can be found in 1,200 square feet of well-preserved and updated living space, all of it boasting vividly hued rooms complemented by fir floors, wide arched doorways, high ceilings, detailed woodwork, and the original doorknobs and double-hung wood windows. There’s an unfinished attic to boot.
Steps lead up to a gated and ornately columned wraparound porch, with the front door opening into an entrance foyer displaying a vintage fireplace, as well as a powder room resting beneath a curving staircase. From there, colorful living and dining rooms flow to a small but modernized kitchen outfitted with newer stainless appliances, and other main-level highlights include a window-lined family room.
Constructed in 1890, the home is one of the oldest surviving Queen Anne Victorian-style structures on Coronado Island.
John Phillips
Elsewhere is an upstairs primary bedroom featuring a cozy window seat, plus a tiled bath equipped with a pedestal sink, clawfoot soaking tub and separate shower. Outdoors, the private grounds span less than a quarter-acre, and host an al fresco dining patio flanked by a grassy lawn, along with a lounging spot warmed by a stone fireplace.
Probably most recognized as the 1979 recipient of a “Best Documentary Feature” Oscar for his film Best Boy, portraying his intellectually disabled cousin’s journey toward greater independence, Wohl went on to produce the sequels Best Man and Best Sister, as well as People Say I’m Crazy, which tells the story of his own struggle with schizophrenia. He’s also a licensed social worker, and has been active in the Academy of Motion Picture’s documentary division and Coronado Island International Film Festival.
Last sold to Wohl in 1997 for $500,000, and listed by Whitney Benzian of Douglas Elliman, the property falls under the Mills Act, meaning homeowners are eligible for reduced property taxes in exchange for preserving the historic house.
Click here for more photos of Ira Wohl’s Victorian beach house.
John Phillips More
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‘Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’ Cast Member Hoists Impressive Utah Home Up for Sale
Immediately following a particularly volatile season of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, the hit reality TV show on which she’s starred since 2020, O.G. cast member Whitney Rose and her businessman husband Justin Rose have put their luxurious main Utah residence on the market. Asking $2.1 million, the 6,000-square-foot South Jordan house features a bevy of lavish amenities, plus lake and mountain views.
The Roses bought the modern farmhouse-style home in 2019, the same year it was built; while it remains unclear exactly how much they paid—the Beehive State is stingy about revealing sales prices—tax records show the 0.26-acre property was last assessed at less than $1 million. Should the place sell for anywhere near Rose’s ask, she will likely walk with an impressive profit.
Astute reality TV junkies will surely recognize Rose’s house, which frequently popped up on RHOSLC. Painted a two-tone cream over medium blue, the wood-sided residence features a covered front porch and a cherry-red front door. Inside the open-concept floorplan “exudes sophistication and glamor,” per the listing. Highlights include a large kitchen with commercial-grade appliances, a private office with head-on lake views, a living room equipped with a concrete fireplace and numerous sets of French doors that spill out to the garden.
There’s also a fully finished basement level with a speakeasy-style wet bar hidden behind sliding walls of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. A central lounge area connects to a movie theater with a state-of-the-art sound system; also on tap downstairs is a gym with a sauna and steam room.
Three of the home’s seven bedrooms are located on its top floor. All are equipped with ensuite full bathrooms and walk-in closets, while the swanky primary suite is decked out with rose-themed wallpaper, two boutique-style closets and a spa-style bath with stone finishes and a cozy bathtub for one person.
Although the yard isn’t particularly huge, it is admirably well-equipped with a fire-pit seating area, a covered hot tub, an in-ground trampoline, grassy lawns and generous patio space overlooking Oquirrh Lake. The property is also a short walk from playgrounds, a skatepark and various shopping and dining destinations.
Rose, 37, has publicly said that she plans to remain in South Jordan, a suburban city in the southern reaches of the greater Salt Lake City area, even after her house is sold. More
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‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ Director Lands an Upgraded L.A. House
As the story goes, Steven Caple Jr. couldn’t afford to buy a Transformer toy when he was a kid. But that was then. As director of the 2023 blockbuster film Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, as well as The Land and Creed II under his belt, the 35-year-old producer’s finances have obviously improved. Today, he likely has more than enough cash to dole out on an Optimus Prime or Bumblebee toy—heck, as many ’bots in the franchise as his heart desires. And late last year, he also picked up new Los Angeles-area home.
Records show the Ohio native and USC School of Cinematic Arts graduate doled out $2.7 million for a modern residence in the San Gabriel Valley neighborhood of Altadena late last year, receiving a discount off of the original $3.2 million asking price. Originally built in the 1940s, but completely remodeled by Bowden Development in recent years, the split-level abode features five bedrooms and an equal number of baths in a little more than 4,600 square feet of open-concept living space highlighted by hardwood floors, high ceilings, and large expanses of glass offering picturesque views of the surrounding valley and mountains.
A circular driveway bolstered by a mature tree fronts the split-level structure, which has steps leading up to covered porch and front door opening into a wide-open space anchored by a formal living room sporting a striking fireplace, picture windows and glass sliders spilling outside. A dining area connects to the gourmet kitchen, which is outfitted with sleek cabinetry, a waterfall-edge island and top-tier Viking appliances; and a family room sits adjacent to a movie theater/game room secluded behind glass doors.
Five en-suite bedrooms filtered throughout two floors include a primary retreat spotlighted by a sitting area, custom walk-in closet, and spa-like bath equipped with dual vanities, a soaking tub and frameless shower. Elsewhere is an office, a gym and glass-enclosed wine cellar; and outdoors, the grounds span nearly a third of an acre, and host an irregular-shaped pool and spa, plus several spots ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining. There’s also a sport court and an attached two-car garage.
The listing was held by Ash Rizk of Coldwell Banker Realty; Caple was repped by Ikem T. Chukumerije of IKEM. More
