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      Superstars Like Rihanna Are Renting Off-Market Private Properties to Stay at When They Travel

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      When a celeb goes on vacation, they could stay at a luxury resort with tons of amenities and people to tend to their every need. Or they can rent out a private home, often one that isn’t available on the rental market and that might actually be owned and occupied by a family.

      The Wall Street Journal got a peek inside several U.S. properties where celebrities have resided in recent years, whether during a vacation or while working in a city where they don’t have their own home base. Many of these stays are handled in off-market, behind-the-scenes deals, and sometimes they can displace homeowners. But for the price that’s being paid, many find the inconvenience worth it.

      For example, Spyro Malaspinas, a cybersecurity expert who lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona, rented out his five-bedroom home to Rihanna during this year’s Super Bowl. He bought the place for $7.3 million last year, and had no intention of renting it out to anyone. But when a property management firm he works with inquired with an offer for $500,000 a week, Malaspinas couldn’t say no. And at the time, he didn’t even know it was Rihanna who would be shacking up in his home. (Rihanna didn’t respond to the WSJ’s request for comment. Most other celebrities also didn’t respond, or they declined to comment to the newspaper.)

      Similar deals have played out across the country, as stars and notable names try to find getaways that meet their exacting standards. In the summer of 2020, Mariah Carey rented a Bedford Corners, New York home owned by the former financial exec Jay Dweck. For $125,000 a month, the singer was able to enjoy the property’s six bedrooms, theater, 900-gallon aquarium, and violin-shaped swimming pool. Dweck, meanwhile, relocated to an Airbnb. After Carey’s stay, the home’s wooden floors had to be replaced—to the tune of $90,000—thanks to pock marks from her high heels. “She’s not the kind of person where someone says, ‘Mariah, take your shoes off,’” Dweck said.

      The celebrity rental process requires a lot of dealmaking on the back end, with real-estate agents and others tapping into their networks to see what they can make work. Often, assistants or travel agents are liaising for VIPs, leaving their identities a secret and sometimes giving just a few days of lead time. And these renters are meticulous as to what they have in the house: Some bring their own bottled water, linens, flowers, air purifiers, or scents. One even had their bed shipped to Hawaii for vacation, a real-estate agent based in the state told The Wall Street Journal. Of course, none of that compares to how Prince made some crazy alterations to NBA star Carlos Boozer’s Bel Air manse in the early ’00s, including turning the weight room into a night club.

      At the end of the day, the quick turns and need to abandon ship might not be so bad for homeowners, though. Malaspinas said that the income he gained from Rihanna’s stay will cover his mortgage payments for two years. And he hasn’t actually moved back into his Paradise Valley home just yet—offers of “crazy amounts of money” have come in for him to sell the place.

      So although his rental allowed Rihanna to lie low for the week, it’s given Malaspinas more visibility than ever. More

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      Susie Hilfiger’s Historic Connecticut Estate Just Listed for a Cool $18 Million

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      Before fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and Susie Hilfiger, his wife of 20 years, called it quits, they shared a country house in Greenwich, Conn. Now, she’s hoisted the historic estate that the estranged couple bought in the ‘90s onto the market.  

      Originally built in 1775, the sprawling 17-acre property dubbed Denbigh Farm is asking just shy of $18 million—which is actually a steal considering what it was listed for just a few years prior. When the Hilfigers purchased the abode, it was owned by the late Joseph Verner Reed Jr.—a former U.S. ambassador to Morocco. At the time, the manor was thought of as a place where their family could seek refuge and maintain a low profile. Although, in speaking with Architectural Digest, Susie admitted that they “instantly fell in love with it.” 

      Susie Hilfiger’s Connecticut compound, also known as Denbigh Farm, just listed for $17.9 million

      Samuel Rodriguez & Steve Rossi for Sotheby’s International Realty

      The home has seen several renovations throughout its lifetime, one at the hands of New York-based firm Albro & Lindeberg in the early 20th century and another by architect Allan Greenberg that was completed in the early 2000s shortly after the couple moved in. “The house deserved sensitivity and attention to detail,” Susie explains to AD. “It had amazing bones and an even better spirit. We redid everything: the roof, the plumbing, all the infrastructure.”  

      Today, the spread comprises a main shingle-roofed residence, along with a detached guest cottage, and two additional apartments located above the garage. Equestrian enthusiasts will enjoy a horse stable with six stalls, multiple paddocks, and a riding arena. The grounds also sport a carriage house, chicken coops, an apple orchard, a tennis court, and a swimming pool. Though, a children’s playhouse modeled after George Washington’s Mount Vernon is one of the more peculiar perks.  

      Susie renovated the 18th-century estate alongside her ex-husband and fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger,

      Samuel Rodriguez & Steve Rossi for Sotheby’s International Realty

      For the Sister Parish–inspired interiors of the main house, Susie tapped London’s Colefax and Fowler to tackle the design. All of the living spaces, in addition to the seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms, are decked out with colorful textiles, hand-painted wallpaper, and antiques that the Hilfigers have collected—including pieces that once belonged to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor that were acquired at auction in 1997. “We bought carpets, a pair of eagle-shaped consoles, and the famous blue sofa she kept at the end of her bed where she would keep her pug dolls,” Susie tells the magazine. “We even bought her green Venetian secretary where she conducted all her household business.” 

      While we imagine it’ll be hard to part ways with the dwelling that she’s owned for close to three decades, Susie revealed to the publication that she plans on moving to the West Coast to be closer to her kids. “I loved raising my children at Denbigh Farm, but now I’ve started a new chapter.” 

      Janet Milligan of Sotheby’s International Realty holds the listing.

      Click here to see all the photos of Denbigh Farm.

      Samuel Rodriguez & Steve Rossi for Sotheby’s International Realty More

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      Inside the Roy Kids’ $83 Million L.A. Mega Manse That Starred in the ‘Succession’ Season 4 Premiere

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      In the season four premiere of Succession on Sunday night, Shiv (Sarah Snook), Kendall (Jeremy Strong), and Roman (Kieran Culkin) were busy plotting their new media start-up, The Hundred. However, more interesting than the bespoke information hub, described as “Substack meets Masterclass meets The Economist meets The New Yorker,” was the swanky Los Angeles mega-mansion they were holed up in.

      We all know the Roys have no shortage of luxury properties under their belt, and it turns out, the real star of this season’s opener was a hilltop behemoth known as the San Onofre estate. (Although, it’s not clear who on the show it actually belongs to.) Originally built by celebrity developer Ardie Tavangarian, the Pacific Palisades manse was sold to a 26-year-old crypto billionaire for a whopping $83 million in 2021 following a short stint on the rental market. At the time, the transaction broke two residential sales records for the area.  

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      Perched high up on a one-acre promontory, the modernist abode offers views of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Pacific Ocean, and Downtown LA. The exterior is characterized by a dramatic, curved wall that resembles the sail of a ship. According to Architectural Digest, it was made from board-formed concrete to look like natural wood. Altogether, the 20,000-square-foot spread features six bedrooms and a staggering 18 bathrooms. However, in “The Munsters,” the trio was predominantly seen in the living room and out by the pool. 

      In an aerial shot of the residence, we see Kendall venture up the private driveway which leads to a car gallery. Naturally, the amenities are extravagant as the abode itself. There’s a chef’s kitchen that was custom designed by Nobu, a sprawling 20-person movie theater, an outdoor cinema, and multiple pools. Plus, a jacuzzi is positioned on the roof deck. The pièce de résistance is the primary suite, which can only be accessed via a retinal scanner. Inside, there’s a crazy retractable ceiling that can remain open for stargazing. We wonder which one of the sibs called dibs on that.   More

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      Who Needs Music? Taylor Swift Has Amassed a Real-Estate Empire Worth More Than $150 Million.

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      Taylor Swift is in her homeowner era.

      The Ticketmaster-crashing pop star owns a number of properties in the United States, to the tune of more than $150 million, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. That’s true even though she’s shaken off a few homes throughout the years, including a Cape Cod mansion and two four-bedroom houses in Beverly Hills.

      In 2009, after releasing her first album, Swift paid more than $2 million for a spread at a luxury condo building in Nashville, where she initially moved with her family to pursue a music career. Then, in 2011, she put down $2.5 million for a Greek Revival estate where her mother now lives. Today, those properties are worth about $5 million and $8 million, respectively, local real-estate agents estimate.

      Swift later welcomed herself to New York with homes in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood. In 2014, she spent almost $20 million on two penthouse units in the Sugar Loaf building, where stars like Orlando Bloom and Steven Soderbergh have lived. In fact, Swift bought the units from the director Peter Jackson, combining them to create an 8,000-square-foot duplex. A few years later, the singer snapped up another $9.75 million apartment in the building, as well as an $18 million townhouse next door. In total, her N.Y.C. digs are now likely worth $45 million.

      If that seems like more than enough space for one person, Swift would beg to differ. Out on the West Coast, she owns the Samuel Goldwyn Estate, which she landed for $25 million in 2015. That house sits on two acres of land and features its original 1934 pool house, tennis court, and screening room, among other amenities. Despite being located in Beverly Hills, it’s a home truly fit for Hollywood.

      And of course, there’s Swift’s Rhode Island beach house, the home of her Instagram-worthy Fourth of July parties and the inspiration for her song “The Last Great American Dynasty.” Swift acquired the Colonial-style mansion for almost $18 million in 2013, and since then its value has skyrocketed to about $30 million.

      So where is Swift likely to set down roots next? Across the pond would be a good guess, given that London is the hometown of her boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. A person with knowledge of Swift’s actions told the WSJ that she was recently looking to buy a home in the Hampstead area, although it’s unclear if she completed a deal. Regardless, it seems like the star is building up a real-estate portfolio to rival the size—and value—of her music catalog. More

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      This Oceanfront Malibu Manse Was Robert De Niro’s Home in ‘Heat.’ Now It Can Now Be Yours for $21 Million.

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      A Malibu pad from a classic crime flick just hit the market. 

      Located at 26940 Malibu Cove Colony Dr, the oceanfront home famously starred on the silver screen as the residence of the Neil McCauley, the thief played by Robert De Niro in the 1995 movie Heat. The two-story residence, which has listed for $21 million, was designed by architect Ron Goldman and spans 3,502 square feet with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Dissolving walls, walkways, and private terraces blend the property’s indoor and outdoor spaces.

      Inside the informal living room with views of the outdoor patio.

      Sterling Reed

      The midcentury-modern home’s exterior is dressed in white with a decidedly minimalist design approach, accented primarily with structural lines. A roof of skylights floods the interior spaces with light, complementing the living room and dining room to the left of the entry foyer. The living room houses a fireplace and offers access to an expansive balcony with breathtaking ocean views. Off the living area, you’ll find the dining room and kitchen. The latter is a chef’s kitchen with professional-grade appliances. The space’s open design, meanwhile, offers views of the central staircase, upper level and ocean in one space. 

      An informal living room sits on the ground floor with ample space for your furniture, as well as your favorite books. To the left of that space, you can access the serene outdoor patio with wood flooring, lush landscaping and a floating staircase. The primary bedroom is one floor above, and offers its own private ocean-view balcony, fireplace and an en-suite bathroom with his and hers sinks. Other bedrooms can be found on this floor as well, including one with its own outdoor patio.

      Robert De Niro next to the home’s expansive balcony on ground level in 1995’s Heat.

      Courtesy of Youtube

      While the home doesn’t offer discrete entertainment spaces, its spacious garage could double as a gym for fitness buffs. It comes filled with storage cabinets, a washer and dryer unit, as well as space for at least two of your favorite rides. Speaking of which, newly installed Tesla chargers in the space should prove useful for those who’ve joined the electric revolution. One final perk? The property is gated and protected by guards 24/7 as part of the Malibu Cove Colony. So, chances are no one will be bringing heat to your doorstep.

      For more details, contact Jane Dorian at Carolwood Estates who holds the listing. 

      Click here for more images of the residence.

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      A Former Warner Bros. Exec Just Listed His Sprawling Calabasas Ranch for $25 Million

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      Okay, so it’s not Montana. However, a majestic ranch 10 miles from Malibu just popped onto the market.

      Former Warner Bros. CEO Bob Daly and his wife, Carole Bayer Sager, have listed their sprawling, 19-acre estate in Calabasas for a cool $24.9 million, The Wall Street Journal first reported. Known as Oaktree Ranch, the property comprises two houses: a 7,500-square-foot main residence, plus a caretaker’s cottage. The couple bought the spread back in 1999 following Daly’s departure from the movie studio. After tearing down the primary dwelling, they tapped architect Mark Rios to redesign the abode, which was completed in 2003.

      Former chairman and co-CEO of Warner Bros. Bob Daly is selling his California ranch for $24.9 million

      Anthony Barcelo

      Internally, the palatial pad has a rustic yet modern feel with three bedrooms spread across two levels. An expansive primary suite takes up the entire upstairs, decked out with its own office, a spa-like bathroom, and a massive walk-in closet. Down below on the main floor are two additional sleeping quarters, a gym, and a secondary workspace. The common spaces are laid out in an open concept. Think a central sitting area that’s anchored by a fireplace. Nearby is a dining room and a fully equipped chef’s kitchen. “The ranch gave me an instant vacation. When I go there I feel like I’m in a different world,” Daly told the WSJ.

      The 19-acre grounds include a horse stable, in addition to chicken and pigeon coops

      Anthony Barcelo

      The grounds include a large swimming pool and a private tennis court. Of course, fellow animal lovers can enjoy the eight-stall horse stable, two corrals, and multiple coops. Goats, ducks, and even ponies are just some of the creatures that Daly currently owns. In addition, there are dozens of birds from chickens to pigeons on the property. “My pigeons get a bath two or three times a week,” he added. Though, they won’t be coming with him back to his home in Bel Air, which his wife prefers. “The ranch doesn’t give her what it gives me,” he told the newspaper.

      Stephen Shapiro and Kurt Rappaport of Westside Estate Agency hold the listing together.

      Click here to see all the photos of Oaktree Ranch.

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      Trans Am Champ Simon Gregg’s $13 Million Florida Manse Comes With a Private Dock—and It’s Up for Grabs

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      It looks like three-time Trans Am champion Simon Gregg is shifting gears. The race car driver has put his South Florida mansion on the market, and now the prized pad can be yours. 

      Gregg’s five-bedroom, six-bathroom abode sits right on the border of Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter. The latter is where A-list professional athletes including Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods also own property. According to records, he paid roughly $9 million for the spread back in 2021. He recently hoisted it back onto the market for a cool $12.8 million with Holly Meyer Lucas of the Meyer Lucas Real Estate Team at Compass. 

      Sited on half an acre, the contemporary residence offers 100 feet of direct frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway. Naturally, there’s a private dock for you to park your yacht or to sit on while you watch the boats pass by. Other outdoor amenities include a summer kitchen, a fire pit, a sparkling swimming pool, and multiple sundecks. Essentially, it’s the perfect place for either entertainment or relaxation.  

      Trans Am champion Simon Gregg just listed his waterfront estate in South Florida for $12.8 million.

      Pelican Pix

      Internally, no expenses were spared in terms of the design. There are expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, a glass-enclosed wine room, and stone flooring throughout that was imported from Italy. The overall aesthetic is modern and minimal, which is a big departure from other addresses in the neighborhood. The kitchen feels super sleek, decked out with top-of-the-line Gaggenau and Miele appliances, a large center island, tons of storage, and even a hidden wet bar. “It’s a treat to show it,” Meyer Lucas told Mansion Global. “There’s no part of the home that’s not aesthetically pleasing, even the laundry room.”  

      The home spans two floors and has primary suites on both levels.

      Pelican Pix

      Elsewhere, a lavish first-level primary suite sports its own covered patio. Plus, the spa-like bathroom comes complete with a freestanding soaking tub, a double vanity, an oversized shower, and a custom walk-in closet. A solid wood floating staircase leads to the second floor and another primary suite. Here, you’ll have your own sitting area (which could double as an office), another custom walk-in dressing room, and en suite. The pièce de résistance, though, is a balcony that looks straight out to the water. It’s a view that can’t be beat. 

      Click here to see all the photos of 14844 Palmwood Road.

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