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      Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers Just Bought This $14 Million Beverly Hills Compound

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      Michael “Flea” Balzary already owns two enviable homes in the Los Angeles area, a $7.5 million cottage in the Malibu Colony gated community and a funky $4.25 million compound in the La Crescenta foothills. The Red Hot Chili Pepper has always done well in real estate—last year, he sold a spicy oceanfront Malibu estate for $20 million to hedge fund manager Ross Laser, more than double what Balzary originally paid for the place—so he’s bolstering his real estate portfolio yet again, this time doling out an impressive $14 million for a 1.38-acre Mulholland Drive spread.

      Though the house has a coveted 90210 zip code, it’s technically located in the steep mountains above LA’s Studio City neighborhood. Built way back in 1948, but completely renovated in the early 2000s by LA architect Aleks Istanbullu, the three-story architectural estate sold to Flea and his fashion designer wife Melody Ehsani for a nearly $2 million discount off the original $16.9 million ask. The sellers were former Paramount chief Adam Goodman and his wife Jessica, who acquired the formerly ranch-style estate in 2010 for $4.2 million from Emmy-winning animator Gábor Csupó of “Rugrats” fame. Before that, the property had been owned in the ’90s by Blue Note Records president Don Was.

      The interior of the light-filled mansion. 

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      Out of sight from the street and resting beyond a long gated driveway, the private residence is secluded amid resort-like grounds and surrounded by famous neighbors — directly across the street is Jack Nicholson’s longtime main residence; also nearby are Warren Beatty’s massive mansion and Lana Del Rey’s multimillion-dollar compound.
      Trimmed in green steel and redwood, the heavily modified architectural structure includes seven bedrooms and eight baths in over 7,300 square feet of living space. There are skylights and hardwood floors throughout, and glitzy amenities include a state-of-the-art Bel Air Circuit movie theater with a 15-foot screen and soda machine, plus an underground wine room — climate-controlled, naturally.

      The home’s movie theater with a 15-foot screen. 

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      The front door opens into a double-height living room ideal for entertaining, complete with walls of glass spilling out to an al fresco dining deck. Back inside, a set of steps leads past a library and up to a dining room, which in turn abuts a sleekly contemporary kitchen outfitted with luxe stainless appliances. Overlooking the living room is a mezzanine level holding a family room with its own cantilevered balcony; the home’s entire third level encompasses a sumptuous master suite with a sitting room, copper-faced fireplace, gym, steam shower, sauna and two rooftop decks offering up mountain views. A spa-like bath is equipped with a concrete soaking tub set beneath a big window.

      Outside are lush, ultra-private grounds laden with custom amenities. A kitchen and wood-burning fireplace are great for outdoor catering, a firepit lounge area is perfect for s’mores, and a hepatica leaf-shaped pool boasts an “underwater viewing room.” Kids will love the trio of whimsical treehouses, which are connected by a suspension bridge. Adults may favor the putting green and the detached four-car garage. There are also guest quarters and an “art cabin,” per the listing.

      The outdoor bar next to the hepatica leaf-shaped pool. 

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      Born in Australia but bred in New York, Flea remains best known as a founding member and bassist of L.A.-based rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, whose recordings have garnered them six Grammy awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The 59-year-old has also dabbled in acting, with roles in more than 20 films and TV shows including “Suburbia,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and “The Big Lebowski.” Flea cofounded the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, a nonprofit music education organization for underprivileged children; in 2019, he published “Acid for the Children,” a memoir of his early life.
      Josh Altman and Matt Altman of the Altman Brothers Team at Douglas Elliman were the listing agents; Sherri Rogers and Anthony Stellini of Compass repped the buyer.
      Check out more images of the property below.

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      Nicole Richie and Joel Madden Just Dropped $10.2 Million on This Stunning Beverly Hills Mansion

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      Earlier this summer, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden sold their 90210 home to music superstar Adele, Nicole’s close friend and the couple’s longtime next-door neighbor. But the Richie-Maddens aren’t straying far from their proverbial neck of the woods. Records reveal they’ve have splashed out $10.2 million to upgrade into a bigger, fancier house just up the hill, as it were.

      The new house is actually only a five minutes’ drive away from the old house — and both are located high in the mountains above Beverly Hills, near the Coldwater Canyon section of town. While the former digs were in the exclusive Hidden Valley Estates enclave, the current place is tucked away within another guard-gated community known as The Summit, where other celebrity residents include Serena Williams, Hilary Duff, Pete Wentz and Sebastian Maniscalco. Britney Spears also owned a mansion within The Summit’s gates back in 2007, during the time of her infamous public breakdown.

      Richie, 39, is the eldest child of Lionel Richie, who adopted her as a toddler. She rose to fame by appearing on “The Simple Life” with then-BFF Paris Hilton, and has continued to appear in various television projects ever since (“Fashion Star,” “Candidly Nicole,” “Great News”). She’s also recently expanded House of Harlow, her lifestyle brand that sells a line of jewelry, apparel and home goods products.

      Madden, 42, is best known for cofounding pop punk band Good Charlotte, which came to prominence in the early 2000s with hits like “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” “The Anthem” and “Girls & Boys.” He’s since appeared as a judge on “The Voice Australia” reality TV competition show.
      Drew Fenton and Justin Paul Huchel of Hilton & Hyland held the listing; Brett Lawyer of Hilton & Hyland repped the buyers.

      The welcoming front exterior of the property. 

      Redfin

      Originally built in 1987 and initially styled as a rather unattractive, quasi-French chateau, the house underwent a big remodel in 2019 by the talented folks at SIMO Design. Husband-and-wife duo Sam Gnatovich and Alexi Rennalls—SIMO’s founders—subsequently used the 6,100-square-foot house as their personal residence.
      Last year, the property was photographed and featured in Architectural Digest.

      The expansive backyard with scenic views. 

      Redfin

      Gnatovich and Rennalls, who’ve previously designed a stunning 90210 mansion for music executive Aaron Bay-Schuck and a house for actor Jon Hamm, drew inspiration for their latest project from “the Chanel store in Paris and ancient stone [Parisian] buildings” to “honor the push and pull of old and new.”
      Indeed, the Richie-Madden home’s interiors are a mix of old-world details and contemporary trimmings, with intricate millwork, wide-plank hardwood floors and book-matched, decidedly graphic slab of Carrara marble throughout.

      The minimalist dining room. 

      Redfin

      In the dining room, the off-white wall paint contrasts neatly with the dark floorboards. The library sports a fireplace with a veiny black marble mantle, and there’s a daybed for photogenic lounging about. The kitchen features top-of-the-line appliances, naturally, and the striking marble countertops and backsplash take visual center stage. Open to the kitchen is a combo family room/casual dining area, which in turn opens to the backyard.

      The home’s library. 

      Redfin

      The hilltop lot spans about a third of an acre, with a swimming pool, outdoor fireplace and grassy lawn out back. Views take in both the San Fernando Valley skyline and the hills of Beverly, with the Pacific Ocean visible on a clear day. There’s also a picture-perfect alfresco dining patio shaded by four olive trees.

      Glowing views of the landscape from the backyard. 

      Redfin

      The entryway hosts a curved staircase. All of the home’s family bedrooms — all of them with ensuite baths — are located upstairs. There’s also a service wing on the main floor, ideal for a live-in staff member, with direct access to the three-car garage.
      Upstairs, the master bedroom hosts a sitting area and cavernous fireplace, plus a private balcony with city lights views. A spa-style master bath is slathered in marble, and connects to private dressing room/closet.

      The cool-toned master bedroom. 

      Redfin

      Check out more photos of the home below:

      The spacious kitchen island. 

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      The indoor-outdoor dining room area. 

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      The quaint outdoor dining area on the grounds. 

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      The distinct curved staircase in the home’s entrance. 

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      The master bathroom. 

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      The luxe private dressing room with lots of space. 

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      John Legend and Chrissy Teigen Just Sold This Beverly Hills Home for $16.8 Million

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      Sometimes, a good price cut can work wonders.

      Chrissy Teigen and John Legend certainly found that to be true, anyway. The model and musician lowered the price of their Beverly Hills home from $24 million to $18 million about three months ago, and it’s already found a buyer, selling for a whopping $16.8 million. Not a bad payout considering the couple purchased the home for $14 million back in 2016.

      The home was previously owned by Rihanna. Teigen and Legend brought on Don Stewart of Desiderata Design to completely redo the interiors, which were much more glossy and contemporary when they purchased it. Stewart has worked with them on homes in both New York and Los Angeles.

      The great room 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo

      Stewart added incredible finishes to the 8,500-square-foot home, most notably a hand-carved teak ceiling in the great room imported from Thailand. The home has seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms in total and includes amenities such as a home cinema, a gym and a playroom with ocean views. Those staying in the primary suite get a sprawling sanctuary all to themselves, with a private balcony, dual walk-in closets featuring lit display shelves and a bathroom with a soaking tub made of Italian marble.
      It’s an .84-acre estate, so there’s activities to do outside, too. The couple installed a heated saltwater pool and additional hot tub, as well as an expansive outdoor kitchen area.

      The kitchen 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo

      Why leave it all behind? The couple plan to expand their family in the future, which means more space. They’ve since shelled out $17.5 million and upgraded to a 10,500-square-foot home in Beverly Hills. In a recent Instagram Live session, Legend showed viewers around the home, which features a tree in its center. Dubbed “the tree of life”, it’s a tribute to their son Jack, whom they lost at 20 weeks gestation.
      The buyer of their previous home is a mysterious “private-equity executive,” according to The Wall Street Journal. Whoever they are, they can expect Teigen to drop by on occasion, as she told Architectural Digest that she and her mother still stop by and visit one of the couple’s other old homes in the area.
      Check out more photos of the place below:

      The dining room 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo

      The primary bedroom 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo

      One of the walk-in closets 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo

      The outdoor dining area 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo

      The children’s playroom 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo

      The pool 

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      You Can Now Rent Rihanna’s Swanky Beverly Hills Mansion for $80,000 a Month

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      On top of Rihanna’s myriad other business endeavors—she sings, she’s a cosmetics mogul with her own Fenty Beauty brand, she’s a lingerie tycoon and fashion designer—the “Umbrella” crooner is also a budding real estate mogul, with five multimillion-dollar homes in Los Angeles alone. And if you’ve got an extra $80,000 burning a proverbial hole in your pocket, you could have the honor of calling Rihanna your landlord for a full month.

      With five bedrooms and seven bathrooms spread across 7,600 square feet of mansion-sized living space, the Coldwater Canyon mansion is the ideal place for any oligarch to recover from the COVID blues in style. Rihanna purchased the house late last year for $13.8 million, adding to her impressive cache of homes. She also owns the house right next door, picked up in March for $10 million, along with a $6.8 million Hollywood Hills estate, a high-floor condo along the Wilshire Corridor, and her longtime main residence—a $5.5 million penthouse in L.A.’s The Century skyscraper.

      A stunning sunset view of the home from the enclosed backyard. 

      Realtor.com

      The newly-listed rental estate is sited on a coveted cul-de-sac in the mountains above Beverly Hills, where the lucky new renter just might wind up rubbing elbows with high-profile nearby neighbors like Sir Paul McCartney. Originally built in the 1930s, the estate was long owned by novelist Mary Sheldon, daughter of “I Dream of Jeanie” creator Sidney Sheldon, who sold the dated house to entrepreneur and investor Daniel Starr; Starr demolished and rebuilt nearly every inch of the house before Rihanna swept into the real estate picture.
      David Parnes and James Harris of The Agency hold the listing.

      Views of the common areas throughout the home. 

      Realtor.com

      Securely hidden away from the street by soaring hedges and gates, the mansion is accessed via a sloping driveway that drops out at a detached two-car garage. A curved set of stairs leads up to the house, which sports a contemporary façade featuring white paint set against a black metal roof and black trim. Once inside, the modern yet traditional interiors give a nod to the trendy modern farmhouse via an open floorplan accented by French white oak hardwood floors.
      A glass front door pivots into the foyer overlooking a central courtyard replete with an al fresco terrace, pool and spa, cabana and firepit lounge area.

      Backyard seating centered between the main and guest houses. 

      Realtor.com

      Among the main-level highlights: a living room with a fireplace and floor-to-ceiling Fleetwood glass sliding door that opens to the outdoors, plus a walk-in bar area that services an intimate family room/lounge/library space with another fireplace and built-in bookshelves.
      There’s also a gourmet marble-clad kitchen outfitted with dual islands, high-end appliances and a breakfast banquette boasting tufted black leather seating.

      The refined bar area equipped with a fireplace. 

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      Heading upstairs, one will find a master retreat overlooking Coldwater Canyon, which is showcased by a custom walk-in closet with black lacquer cabinetry, and a spa-like bath encased in veined marble that opens to a private outdoor sitting area.
      The place also has its own gym and media room, along with a guesthouse.
      Check out more images of the mansion below.

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      Ryan Murphy Just Sold His Spanish Colonial Revival-Style Home in Beverly Hills for $16.5 Million

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      Though it took about a year and a half, and he was compelled to come down a considerable amount off its original price of nearly $18 million, film and television dynamo Ryan Murphy has sold his celeb-pedigreed Beverly Hills mansion for its full $16.25 million final asking price.

      The six-time Emmy winner, whose full slate of projects is hardly limited to “Ratched,” Lone Star” and “Pose,” bought the encyclopedically refurbished and fastidiously maintained, Ralph Flewelling-designed 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival-style residence more than 11 years ago for $10 million from famously architecture and design savvy Oscar-winning actor Diane Keaton. However, he hasn’t lived there—at least not full time—since he and his growing family moved to an even bigger spread in nearby Brentwood a couple of years ago.

      Initially restored by Keaton, after which it was featured Architectural Digest, the nearly 8,500-square-foot home is uniquely entered through a combination foyer/library under a soaring groin-vaulted ceiling and showcases dark wood and glossy terra-cotta tile floors, numerous arched fireplaces, hand-forged wrought iron accents, exposed wood ceiling and period light fixtures.

      Plush and refined with a total of seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms (plus two powder rooms), the home’s main living spaces include ample formal living and dining rooms, a gourmet kitchen and a den that doubles as a media room. Many rooms open through French doors to the backyard and/or to an arched colonnade that wraps around a bricked courtyard that’s shaded by a couple of pepper trees with a fountain at its center.
      Two of the main-house’s six bedrooms are on the main floor and suitable for guests or staff, while the sprawling owner’s suite offers a fireplace, two bathrooms and two balconies, one that overlooks the courtyard and the other with a view over the backyard. The house also includes a study, a fitness room and a multi-room guesthouse.
      Strands of light that span the backyard are reflected in the simply rectangular, ever-so-slightly above-ground swimming pool, and towering cacti make a prickly fence around a large patio between the main house and guest house.
      The one-of-a-kind property was jointly listed with Kevin Augunas and Chris Cortazzo at Compass, while the buyer was repped in the deal by Crosby Doe at Crosby Doe Associates.

      Last year Murphy and his husband, photographer David Miller, sold a Laguna Beach, Calif., compound for $10.65 million, while at the same time two of their homes, the aforementioned Brentwood spread and a bespoke New York City townhouse, were featured in an Architectural Digest article penned by Murphy with photos by Miller.
      See more images of the mansion below:

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      Chrissy Teigen and John Legend Just Gave Their Beverly Hills Mansion a $6 Million Price Cut

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      You may already recognize this house from Chrissy Teigen’s social media posts and her cooking demos. But you might not have seen the entire spectacular eight-bedroom, nine-bath home. The place is nothing short of a design masterpiece, with only the best finishes and incredible attention to detail. This all makes sense, considering it’s owned by such stylish stars: Teigen and her musician husband, John Legend.

      The property was originally developed in 1966, but that first house is long gone, replaced by a more contemporary structure built by a developer before Rihanna purchased the estate. When Legend and Teigen took it over in 2016, they redid every bit of the interior with the help of designer Don Stewart, never cutting corners and always opting for top-of-the-line finishes. Take the solid brass doors to the dining room, which echo the stunning brass surrounds used on the fireplaces in the living room and the primary bedroom suite. Then there’s the teak ceiling they imported from Thailand and the marble Teuco soaking tub brought in from Italy.

      When the couple originally put the house up for sale last fall—they needed a home with more space for their growing family—it was listed for $23.95 million. They’ve since dropped the price to $17.95 million. Now, says broker Marshall Peck with Douglas Elliman, “This is the best deal in Beverly Hills. The finishes are just mind-blowing. And people are also blown away by the ceiling heights—33 feet in the living room—and 22 feet high in the master bedroom on the second floor. That’s just unheard of.”

      Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s former Beverly Hills home. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo/Douglas Elliman

      The kitchen, naturally, is a showpiece, as it served as Teigen’s studio, with its blond wood cabinetry and unique waterfall-style marble countertops (a design mimicked for the vanity countertops in the primary suite’s bathroom). The oak floors were given a ceruse treatment (essentially a lime wash that brings out the wood’s grain). The cinema room has an incredible sound system and projector, and its cozy style will make you want to stay for a double feature. A home gym, a safe room and a massive playroom with ocean views round out some of the other special spaces within the house, each lovingly designed.
      But perhaps the most special space of all is the primary bedroom suite, with pocket doors that open wide to a private balcony that looks over the pool as well as Coldwater Canyon, all the way to downtown Los Angeles. “The view of the sunset from the master and from the living room at night is just magical,” says Peck. While the bedroom feels like a serene but stylish oasis—that fireplace!—its extra rooms really put it over the top in a good way. The “glam room” is perfect for hair and makeup to get camera ready, and a lovely place to relax in the massage chair. The bathroom has that incredible black marble tub with a view as well as a spacious double shower. But the piece de resistance within this suite are the substantial dual closets with their glass doors and lit display shelves. They look better than those in a Rodeo Drive boutique and, according to Peck, they took many months to get just right.

      The grand entryway with Legend’s piano on display. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo/Douglas Elliman

      The outdoors got a similarly luxe treatment. The couple spared no expense in building the heated saltwater pool, hot tub and wood deck, as well as an outdoor kitchen with a stunning shaded pavilion draped with grapevines. “It feels like you’re in Napa Valley” when you’re out there, says Peck. Lush plantings add to the feeling of a sanctuary. Located at the end of a lane, gated with security, the entire 0.84-acre estate feels private and far from the bustle of LA and the commercial district of Beverly Hills, though it’s just minutes away.

      The living room. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo

      The formal dining room has dramatic finishes. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo/Douglas Elliman

      The remodeled kitchen that starred in Teigen’s cooking demos. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo/Douglas Elliman

      The TV room, just off the kitchen. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo/Douglas Elliman

      The primary bedroom with a brass-fronted fireplace. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo/Douglas Elliman

      The primary suite’s bathroom with the marble tub imported from Italy. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo

      The walk-in closet. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo/Douglas Elliman

      Plenty of room for shoes. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo/Douglas Elliman

      Teigen’s walk-in closet. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo/Douglas Elliman

      The “glam” room for hair and makeup includes massage chairs. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo

      The kids’ playroom. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo/Douglas Elliman

      The screening room. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo/Douglas Elliman

      The personal fitness studio. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo/Douglas Elliman

      The outdoor terrace. 

      Photo: Anthony Barcelo/Douglas Elliman

      The pool. 

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      Twice KISS’d: Gene Simmons Just Relisted His Beverly Hills Mansion for $25 Million

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      Usually when a home is taken off the market and then relisted, the price gets a shave. Not in this case. Gene Simmons of KISS gave the asking price on his Beverly Hills mansion a $3 million hike, raising it from $22 million in October 2020 to $25 million this week.

      The property still has a house with over 13,000 square feet, seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, formal and informal dining rooms, office, bar and bonus room. Plus, the full-sized tennis court, parking for 30 cars and a pool with a 60-foot waterslide. So what’s changed?

      The estate got a few upgrades over the winter months. “We didn’t want anyone to come in and complain,” Simmons tells Robb Report. So they replaced some of the electrical, added a new roof system to prevent leaves from clogging the gutters, changed some remaining wood parts of the home to poured concrete and added more foliage. The five lead-lined safety rooms dotted throughout the house were also made more secure and easier for residents to access. “If a bad guy breaks in,” Simmons says, “he’ll never find you.” The estate also sits on nearly two acres, with lush greenery helping to keep it private.

      The home has four levels on one side and three on the other, meeting in the middle at the gorgeous great room with those tall windows on each side. On the lower level, there’s a six-car garage, a billiards room and a wine cellar, though the musician doesn’t drink. While one wing was used for meeting and his KISS museum memorabilia, he decided against building a music or recording room, instead opting to keep the place as an escape.

      The patio and pool. 

      Photo: Christopher Amitrano and Marc Angeles

      While Simmons and his wife, model-actor Shannon Tweed, bought the property in 1987, it didn’t always look so spectacular, but it did have a storied past. The home that was originally on-site was a 3,500-square-foot wooden farmhouse. “We flattened it and brought in tons of soil, spent close to $11 million sprucing up the place,” Simmons says.
      They bought the acreage from Irving Azoff, who went on to manage Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles. “The Eagles were put together on the property,” Simmons says. And before that, Nicholas Schenk, one of the original Hollywood moguls, used to keep his mistress at the estate.

      A regulation-size tennis court is on site. 

      Photo: Christopher Amitrano and Marc Angeles

      The Simmonses gradually renovated it and completed the build on the estate’s current house in 2000. While the exterior of the home has plenty of drama with its enormous windows, dual staircases and multiple wings, inside, the vibe is less rockstar and more family-traditional, with a flair for comfort and simplicity (though admittedly on a grand scale) rather than excess. Much of which was showcased on their television show, Gene Simmons Family Jewels. 

      In October, when the couple first listed the Benedict Canyon place, it was said that they were moving to another residence they already owned in tax-free Washington state. But that is inaccurate—Simmons has never owned property there. And recently, there have been murmurings about Simmons and Tweed purchasing a house in a gated Malibu community, atop a secluded peak in the Santa Monica Mountains. Simmons is now setting the record straight—Tweed has purchased the house as a personal investment with her own money, but they do not plan to live there. She also bought a lakefront property in Whistler, Simmons says. The duo has apparently long kept their accounts, taxes, investments and business interests separate. “Good fences make good neighbors,” he says.

      The grand foyer. 

      Photo: Christopher Amitrano and Marc Angeles

      That said, the couple still plans to leave LA for a quieter lifestyle and escape the celebrity map listings and tour buses. “We’ve always loved LA, but you do have to deal with fires every year, every once in a while the ground shakes, and those tourist buses. Everything has its time,” Simmons says. “The house is too big for us. It’s just Shannon and myself and four dogs. The empty nest thing is happening.” They’re headed for neighboring Nevada. “In Nevada, we’re close enough. The kids have their homes here in LA. It’s just an hour flight.”
      He’s already purchased a 12,000-square-foot home there with an indoor swimming pool with slides and is considering buying an adjacent 90-acre parcel. What’s with all the slides? “If you’re going to entertain, some folks want to sip coffee but others want to swing from the chandeliers,” he says. “A home shouldn’t just be a home, but a place where you have parties and enjoy yourself.”
      The Beverly Hills listing remains in the hands of Million Dollar Listing brokers Matt and Josh Altman of the Altman Brothers for Douglas Elliman.

      Wide-plank flooring and incredible woodwork elevate the living room. 

      Photo: Christopher Amitrano and Marc Angeles

      The home office. 

      Photo: Christopher Amitrano and Marc Angeles

      The dining room. 

      Photo: Christopher Amitrano and Marc Angeles

      The kitchen. 

      Photo: Christopher Amitrano and Marc Angeles

      Soaring windows let sunshine in, even to the upper floor. 

      Photo: Christopher Amitrano and Marc Angeles

      The primary bedroom suite. 

      Photo: Christopher Amitrano and Marc Angeles

      Simmons’ Beverly Hills estate. 

      Photo: Christopher Amitrano and Marc Angeles

      The mansion has seven bedrooms and nine baths. 

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      Rihanna Snaps Up a Luxurious 1930s-Era Beverly Hills Mansion for $13.8 Million

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      Rihanna apparently caused a big stir by skipping the 2021 Grammy awards, leaving the spotlight to other music superstars like Beyoncé, Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift. Reports said the Barbadian singer’s absence was due to not being nominated—and then there’s the pesky fact that her much-anticipated upcoming album “R9” still has yet to surface, despite being years in the works. Of course, Rihanna’s also been busy with other things, too, like becoming a retail mogul. Sales of the burgeoning cosmetics tycoon’s Fenty Beauty makeup line have gone bonkers, and her Savage x Fenty lingerie brand is now reportedly valued at a whopping $1 billion.

      The Grammys skip might also have something to do with the fact that Rihanna recently found residential love in a not-so-hopeless place. The singer has just acquired a new house—a $13.8 million mansion, to be exact—and the property is located on a highly coveted cul-de-sac in the mountains above Beverly Hills. Neighbors include Sir Paul McCartney, and a few doors away lies a sumptuous estate that was leased for several years to Mariah Carey, and was more recently rented by Madonna during the Covid-19 pandemic.
      Originally built in the 1930s, the Rihanna estate was formerly owned by Mary Sheldon, the daughter of I Dream of Jeanie creator Sidney Sheldon. In 2016, Sheldon sold the dated house for $4.3 million to entrepreneur and investor Daniel Starr, whose acquisition of the property was chronicled on Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing.

      The mansion blends both contemporary and traditional elements. 

      Alexis Adam

      Starr subsequently spent millions to demolish and rebuild nearly every inch of the house (and he would later sue his contractors for those millions, alleging fraud and shoddy workmanship.) Last year, the property was put up for sale, asking $15 million. The transfer to Rihanna appears to have gone down off-market, but the Umbrella empress forked over $13.8 million for the premises, according to tax records.
      Invisible from the street behind tall hedges and big gates, the 7,600-square-foot mansion is approached a driveway that slopes up to meet the two-car attached garage. A curved flight of stairs ascends to the house, which sports a crisply contemporary look with white paint paired against a black metal roof and black trim. The mansion features a “sophisticated design” that “blends both contemporary and traditional elements,” per the listing, and the place pays clear homage to the trendy modern farmhouse look, with its French white oak hardwood floors and open floorplan.

      A glass front door pivots into the foyer, which is dominated by a giant black bull sculpture—grab life by the horns, if you will—and overlooks the proverbial heart of the property: an open-air central courtyard with an al fresco terrace, pool, spa, and firepit.

      The open-air central courtyard features a pool, spa, and firepit. 

      Alexis Adam

      Public spaces of note include a fireplace-equipped living room with walls of Fleetwood glass sliders opening to the outdoors, while the luxe wet bar area goes for a more masculine look with its moody splash of dark gray hues. The bar services an intimate family room/lounge/library with another fireplace, plus floor-to-ceiling built-in bookshelves.
      The listing describes the kitchen as “stunningly executed.” Indeed, nearly every surface is slathered in marble, and there are not one but two islands, both with brass fixtures. Top-of-the-line stainless appliances service a breakfast banquette that goes way glam with tufted black leather seating.
      Upstairs, the master suite looks as though it just stepped out of a Bali resort travel guide, with a five-star bedroom that overlooks Coldwater Canyon, and a custom closet with black lacquer cabinetry. Decked out in a unique, thickly-veined marble, the spa-esque master bath opens to an al fresco lounge area.

      The estate offers plenty of privacy for the star. 

      Alexis Adam

      The half-acre property is steeply sloped, so tall retaining walls encircle the house and yard, providing security plus privacy—ideal for a big celebrity.
      In case anyone didn’t know, Rihanna is a real estate mogul in the making who owns at least four other multimillion-dollar homes, including a $6.8 million Hollywood Hills estate, a vacation retreat in her native Barbados, and a high-floor condo along LA’s Wilshire Corridor. The 33-year-old’s current main residence, however, is a $5.5 million penthouse in Century City’s coveted The Century skyscraper, where residents have 24/7 concierge and doorman services, plus gym, spa, and in-house restaurant facilities. Some of the high-profile neighbors in that building include Candy Spelling, Matthew Perry, and celeb chef Nobu Matsuhisa.

      Check out more photos below:

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