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    Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez Just Bought a $61 Million Mega-Mansion in Beverly Hills

    House-hunting is hard—even if you’re Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.  

    The high-profile Hollywood couple has been mansion-shopping for months, and it seems as if they’ve finally settled on a super-sized estate in Beverly Hills. On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Bennifer just closed on a spectacular, five-acre spread in Los Angeles, which would add yet another gem to their growing real estate portfolio. The colossal 38,000-square-foot pad was originally listed at $135 million back in 2018, but the asking price was later slashed to $75 million in March. Naturally, the stars snagged the French-style residence at a steal: The new digs only cost just shy of $61 million. 

    Set in the gated Wallingford Estates community, the lavish mega-manse was rebuilt and significantly expanded upon by developer Gala Asher, as per Forbes. Altogether, the compound features a total of 12 bedrooms and a whopping 24 bathrooms split between a main house, a 5,000-square-foot guest penthouse, a caretaker’s cottage, and a guardhouse. A few of the behemoth’s most notable features include an epic 155-foot infinity pool, a boxing ring, a basketball court with a viewing gallery, and a sports lounge. Together, Lopez and Affleck share a pretty insane auto collection, but they won’t have to worry about space. There’s a 12-car garage on site, plus enough room to park 80 additional vehicles.

    You can bet that a property of this magnitude has heaps of other amenities, too. There’s a movie theater, a wine and whiskey cellar, and an on-site spa, which is decked out with a sauna, a massage room, and even a hair and nail salon. Outside, the grounds include not one but two tennis courts and a sprawling 2,500-square-foot covered patio. Did we mention it’s also heated? 

    For comparison, the reunited couple’s new crib far surpasses the $64 million Pacific Palisades estate they were in escrow in March. That one-acre abode stretched 16,000 square feet with eight bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and had an 800-square-foot gym. If they were holding out for something better, they definitely found it. You can check out a video of the home below:

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    Rihanna Is Selling One of Her Beverly Hills Mansions for $10.5 Million

    If Rihanna flips her Beverly Hills manse, she deserves to take a bow.  

    The “Diamonds” singer put her Tudor-style estate on the market a little over two years after she shelled out a cool $10 million for it, as reported by Mansion Global. Now, the modern-day Renaissance woman has listed the same palatial property for approximately $10.5 million. It’s unclear what specific upgrades have been made during that time, but we do know you’ll have good neighbors: In true rockstar fashion, RiRi actually owns the pad right next door, too.

    Located in the tony Beverly Hills Post Office neighborhood, the half-acre property is gated and positioned on a cul-de-sac for added privacy. Originally built in the 1930s, the 5,100-square-foot abode comprises four bedrooms and five bathrooms, as well as a detached guest house with a living room, kitchenette, office, and additional bedroom. Inside, the main residence oozes European elegance. You’ll find double-height beamed ceilings, original fireplaces, and a mix of stone and hardwood flooring throughout.

    Elsewhere, the kitchen is decked out with a cozy breakfast nook, while the family room features French doors that open to the lush yard. The stately dining room also leads to a covered outdoor seating area that can welcome guests year-round. Upstairs, the swanky primary suite steals the show with a fireplace and a private balcony. Hey, a nine-time Grammy Award-winning singer would expect no less.

    Back down below, the manicured grounds are equipped with a flourishing vegetable garden for green thumbs and a patio that is perfect for alfresco entertaining. You’ll also find a sparkling swimming pool with a cabana and a half-basketball court.

    Rhianna is no stranger to luxury real estate. The singer-turned-beauty mogul has a multimillion-dollar property portfolio, including a lavish penthouse atop The Century that used to be owned by Friends star Matthew Perry. Perhaps we should add “property tycoon” to her growing list of titles. More

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    The ‘Brady Bunch’ House Was Just Restored to Its Original Technicolor Glory. It Can Be Yours for $5.5 Million.

    There’s perhaps no fictional family more beloved than the Bradys, and now their equally iconic Los Angeles abode that starred in the ‘70s sitcom has hit the market.  

    Nearly 50 years after the show wrapped, the Studio City home where Carol, Mike, and their clan of six kids once lived is up for grabs. However, the residence at 11222 Dilling Street doesn’t exactly look like the original. In 2018, it was purchased by HGTV for $3.5 million and became the focus of a remodeling series that aired in 2019 dubbed A Very Brady Renovation. The original cast was in on the transformation, along with Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott. Altogether, the network put roughly $2 million worth of upgrades into the project, and the spread today can be yours for a cool $5.5 million.  

    After undergoing a renovation by HGTV, The Brady Bunch house has hit the market for $5.5 million

    Anthony Barcelo

    If you’re curious about the changes that the North Hollywood house underwent, the most dramatic includes the addition of a full second story which tacked on an extra 2,000 square feet. But don’t worry, the five-bed, five-bath spread still largely resembles the home fans remember. For instance, the living room is a near replica of the original set. HGTV faithfully recreated the famous floating staircase and green floral sofa. Plus, they even 3-D printed a horse statue that viewers saw positioned atop a credenza.

    The kitchen was kept close to the original orange and green color palette

    Anthony Barcelo

    As for the kitchen, it still features that familiar color palette. Think bright orange countertops and avocado green cabinets. There are also mid-century modern swivel chairs around the breakfast table, appropriate for the period. Plus, a functional cooktop that Alice would no doubt put to good use. In the backyard, you’ll find the same swing set, tetter-totter, and Tiger’s doghouse that appeared on TV. 

    Following the sale, HGTV revealed that it will be donating a portion of the proceeds to Turn Up! Fight Hunger, which will provide up to 250,000 meals to kids in need. Even cousin Oliver would think that’s groovy.

    Danny Brown of Compass holds the listing. 

    Click here to see all the photos of The Brady Bunch House.  

    Anthony Barcelo More

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    Suzanne Somers’s Fantastical 28-Acre Former Compound in Palm Springs Hits the Market for $13 Million

    A nearly century-old desert compound in Palm Springs is the talk of the town—and not just because it used to belong to Suzanne Somers.  

    The enchanting, 28-acre property is one of the most impressive residences in The Mesa community, and it recently reemerged on the market asking a cool $12.9 million. The Three’s Company star and her husband, Alan Hamel, bought the hillside spread in the ‘70s and decided to sell it back in 2021 after over 40 years of ownership.

    The seven-bedroom, 10-bathroom oasis comprises a European-inspired main house, four individual villas, a total of 10 outdoor venues including a hand-carved natural rock amphitheater, and a lagoon-style swimming pool. Even cooler, the residence comes with its own custom-built funicular that allows you to be ferried up and down via cable car.  

    A desert compound in Palm Springs where Suzanne Somers used to live just listed for $12.9 million

    Kelly Peak

    “The layout of our home is unique,” Somers said, speaking to People, prior to the sale. “It’s a great home for having guests because they can each go off to their own cottages at the end of the day and have privacy.”

    Originally built in 1939, the compound sports sweeping views of Mesa Canyon and a whopping 7,280 square feet of living space. In fact, one of the guest dwellings dubbed “The Rock House” was designed by prominent Palm Springs architect Albert Frey, best known for his midcentury modern creations. The stone-clad abode includes two suites, a fireplace, a meditation garden, a claw-foot tub, and walls of glass.

    The 28-acre property includes a pool, a natural waterfall, hiking trails, and secret patios

    Kelly Peak

    Overall, the property strikes us as the perfect place to entertain with its two-room chef’s kitchen, a hidden 2,000-bottle wine cellar, five outdoor fireplaces, and parking for over 20 cars. Of course, there’s also a formal dining room that can seat up to 32 guests, while that alfresco entertainment center has enough room for 50 of your closest friends, not to mention its own dance floor. 

    “It has all this acreage and hiking trails and a beautiful gated long driveway,” Somers told Homes and Gardens back in 2021. “There’s nothing like it and there never will be again.” 

    Scott Lyle of Compass holds the listing. 

    Click here to see all the photos of 252 Ridge Road. 

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    Gene Simmons’s Former Beverly Hills Estate Was Transformed Into a Modernist Retreat. Now It Can be Yours for $48 Million.

    The mansion that Gene Simmons called home for over three decades has reemerged on the market, and even he might not even recognize it.  

    The Kiss bassist’s former Beverly Hills residence is up for grabs, and it appears to be totally different than how he left in 2021. Now listed for a cool $48 million—which, for the record, is triple what he sold the digs for back in 2021—was redesigned by Los Angeles-based design firm, Nobel. Today, the Benedict Canyon estate sports a much moodier exterior and ultra-modern interior with tons of Italian marble, custom stone oak wood panels, and shiny brass accents. Honestly, it’s giving rockstar vibes.

    Gene Simmons’s former Beverly Hills estate just listed for $48 million

    Christopher Amitrano

    The 16,390-square-foot spread sits on two acres with seven bedrooms and 11 bathrooms. One of the best features has always been the parking situation, and luckily, that remains unchanged. You’ll find a three-car garage attached to the main house and another structure below it with the capacity to hold 20 additional vehicles. Elsewhere, the grounds sport a 60-foot knife-edge swimming pool, plus an outdoor barbecue area with space for up to 20 guests and three swanky chandeliers hanging overhead. 

    Internally, the abode is brimming with natural light thanks to huge custom iron windows. The gourmet chef’s kitchen has been decked out with Poliform cabinets, top-of-the-line Gaggenau appliances, and a breakfast area. Naturally, an eye-catching all-marble island takes center stage. The property also includes a media room and a primary suite with its own private balcony, sitting room, and his-and-her wardrobes. Not to mention, it comes with furnishings from Minotti and Henge and Baxter. 

    The home has been totally renovated and is super modern in style

    Christopher Amitrano

    Before Simmons ended up offloading his home, he put roughly $11 million worth of upgrades into the pad. Though, he ultimately ended up selling to live full-time at his mountain mansion in Nevada. However, he recently decided to part ways with that property, too. 

    Listing agents Josh Altman and Matt Altman of Douglas Elliman were unavailable for comment. 

    Click here to see all the photos of 2650 Benedict Canyon Drive.  

    Christopher Amitrano More

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    Movin’ Out: Billy Joel’s Sprawling New York Estate Just Hit the Market for $49 Million

    Billy Joel has long been known as Long Island’s golden boy, but the musician is saying buh-bye to his home base out east.

    The Piano Man has listed his Oyster Bay mansion for a cool $49 million, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. The 26-acre property, known as Middlesea, sits along the North Shore waterfront and includes a 20,000-square-foot main house, along with a beach house, a guest apartment, a gate house, and more.

    One of the bedrooms

    Tyler Sands

    Currently, the central home is undergoing renovations, but it includes five bedrooms and eight bathrooms, along with covered porches, brick columns and archways, and a two-story foyer with black-and-white marble floors. Plus, the home comes with a suite of amenities suited to a rock star: There’s a spa and hair salon, a bowling alley, and a wine cellar. At one point, the home sported an indoor pool—along with the two outdoors—but Joel had it covered up to make a music room, the listing agent Bonnie Williamson with Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty told the WSJ.

    Joel decided to list the house while renovations were still occurring because “whoever buys will want to do their own selections of how to paint and decorate and perhaps style the kitchen,” Williamson said. It should be completed by the late summer or early fall.

    A living area

    Tyler Sands

    Over the years, Joel acquired bits of property to amass his enormous estate: He paid $22.5 million for the first 14 acres in 2002, then snapped up the surrounding land. He’s decided to give it all up now because he and his wife spend most of their time in Florida, where he bought a $22 million home in 2015.

    The Grammy winner’s decision to forgo his Long Island abode will be another family’s gain, however. Along with all of the various indoor spaces, the property features a floating dock, boat ramp, and helipad, allowing you to skip the New York City traffic and arrive in style. And the various other homes on the acreage give you at least another 10 bedrooms for guests to enjoy.

    So although Joel may no longer be living in a New York state of mind, you sure can be.

    Click here to see all the images of Middlesea. More

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    Jackie Kennedy’s Former Summer Home in the Hamptons Just Listed for $55 Million

    If you’re thinking of snagging a summer house in the Hamptons, the estate where Jackie Kennedy Onassis once vacationed could be your next getaway.  

    Aptly named Lasata, the Native American word for “place of peace,” the palatial property has been hoisted onto the market for a cool $55 million, The Wall Street Journal first reported. Originally built in 1917 by architect Arthur C. Jackson, the abode was previously owned by John Vernou Bouvier Jr., who was the grandfather of the former First Lady. The roughly seven-acre spread is said to be where Onassis would often spend her summers as a child.  

    Lasata, the former childhood summer home of Jackie O, just listed for $55 million

    Stephen Kent Johnson/OTTO

    Today, the residence is being offered up by Hollywood producer David Zander, who bought the pad in 2018 from fashion designer and Tiffany’s former chief artistic officer Reed Krakoff. During Zander’s five years of ownership, he has made substantial renovations to the 8,500-square-foot main house, including revamping the interiors and rebuilding parts of the exterior.

    “Every time I think there’s a spot in the house that I love the most, I go and sit somewhere else and I love that the most,” Zander told the WSJ. The Spring Breakers producer tapped Pierre Yovanovitch for the design and brought in French landscape architect Louis Benech to tackle the formal gardens.  

    French interior designer Pierre Yovanovitch updated the interiors during a recent renovation

    Stephen Kent Johnson/OTTO

    Internally, you’ll find hardwood flooring, beamed ceilings, and oversized casement windows throughout. The living room is completely flooded with natural light and features glass French doors. Elsewhere, the dining room sports built-in bookshelves and a cozy fireplace. In addition to the eight-bedroom estate, the grounds of Lasata also comprise a separate two-bedroom guest cottage, a large swimming pool, a pool house, and a three-car garage. 

    “It’s so well known in town,” Eileen O’Neill of Corcoran, who holds the listing with Ed Petrie of Compass, told the newspaper of the compound. “It’s such a part of East Hampton history as well as American history. So that definitely is a draw for people.” 

    Click here to see all the photos of Lasata.  

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

    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