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    This $8.2 Million Converted Warehouse in London Once Housed the Pet Shop Boys’ Recording Studio

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    Back in the ’80s, it was synths, stardom, and studio sessions for the Pet Shop Boys at this Clerkenwell warehouse that once echoed with the beats of West End Girls. Today, the building is hitting a different kind of high note as a three-story, design-forward live-work space listed for £6 million (about $8.2 million) with Savills.

    It was home to the artist and filmmaker Sam Taylor-Johnson, who rented the ground-floor studio space to the six-time Grammy-nominated duo while she lived upstairs. The keys were eventually shared with her husband, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the Avengers: Age of Ultron and Kick-Ass star who—drumroll, martinis please—is reportedly the frontrunner to star as Agent 007 in the next James Bond movie.

    RELATED: This $33.2 Million Private Island in the U.K. Has Long Been an Under-the-Radar Creative Haven

    The 60-foot-long great room is framed by exposed wood beams and Crittall steel windows and doors.

    Daisy Powles/Savills

    Following their tenure, the couple sold the home to film director Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement) and Grammy-nominated sitar player Anoushka Shankar. They called in architect Charles Tashima for a top-to-bottom renovation that respected the rustic bones of the Victorian warehouse while adding flourishes that feel very contemporary. Think Moroccan tiles, reclaimed wood, and limestone salvaged from Heathrow Terminal 2, The London Standard reported.

    The overall result is a seriously stylish 4,414-square-foot bohemian sanctuary hidden in plain sight, just minutes from the Barbican and, of course, the West End. Behind the original wagon doors (a nod to its 19th-century life as part of the Whitbread Brewery complex), you’ll find a private courtyard and a nearly 60-foot-long living/dining room framed by exposed beams and floor-to-ceiling Crittall windows. Capping it off is a rooftop terrace.

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    Frosted window panes add privacy to the airy primary bedroom.

    Daisy Powles/Savills

    On the ground floor, the Pet Shop Boys’ former studio is still fully soundproofed but is currently used as a commercial space, though you could easily turn it back into a creative suite if the musical mood strikes. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and plenty of tucked-away surprises, including a laundry space hidden behind oak paneling and a reading nook that could be converted to a fourth bedroom.

    The current owners, a tech entrepreneur and a publisher, have added their own twists, including deep orange rubber flooring in the entry hall and a bespoke kitchen built for entertaining. The property is freehold (meaning the land beneath the structure is owned) and zoned for mixed use, giving you flexibility whether you’re composing synth-pop bangers, plotting the next indie film, prepping for a screen test as Britain’s favorite spy, or just relaxing with friends and family. And while it may no longer double as a recording studio, rest assured—it’s still Bond-level discreet.

    Click here to see more photos of the boho London loft.

    Daisy Powles/Savills

    Authors

    Abby Montanez

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

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      Sean Connery’s Former Villa on the French Riviera Lists for $26.5 Million

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      Perched above the sparkling shores of the Mediterranean in Nice, an Art Deco villa fit for 007 himself is now on the market at €23.5 million (or about $26.5 million). 

      Built in 1930 and infused with quintessential French Riviera glamour, the cliffside estate’s most legendary claim to fame is one of its former owners. That’s right, Sean Connery, the original British secret agent in the enduring film franchise, and his wife, Micheline Roquebrune, called this seaside sanctuary home during the 1970s and ’80s. The current owners picked up the property in 2015 for an undisclosed amount and have given it a top-to-bottom renovation, according to Mansion Global. This isn’t, however, their first time at the rodeo—the villa was on the market back in late 2020 for €30 million (about $34 million). 

      Officially named Villa Roc Fleuri, locals simply refer to it as the “Bond Villa,” according to Savills agent Chuck McKee—and it’s easy to see why. With cinematic charm baked into every stone, the property feels like something straight out of a spy thriller.

      RELATED: Jean Nouvel Designed This $40 Million Home on the French Riviera to Disappear Into the Landscape

      Positioned above the seafront at the base of Mont Boron, the Art Deco villa offers views toward Cap d’Antibes.

      Hr-Photographe-Immobilier; Savills

      The main house, carved into the hillside, sprawls over 10,000 square feet and is pure Old-World elegance with modern polish. Think intricate wood paneling, wrought-iron staircases, mosaic inlays, and detailed ceiling moldings. And for a touch of historic charm, the original elevator cabin remains fully intact and operational.

      Designed to embrace the stunning vistas, the villa sports a grand dining room that flows seamlessly onto an expansive terrace, both served by a professional-grade kitchen and a wine cellar fit for a secret agent’s private collection. And on the rooftop terrace, complete with a barbecue area, is what Savills calls the most spectacular view in Nice—and frankly, they’re not wrong. 

      As is befitting a movie star or international secret agent, the primary suite takes up the entire top floor with two en-suite bathrooms and custom walk-in closets. Below are three guest suites, a study, a fifth bedroom, plus a separate caretaker’s apartment. There’s also a second villa at the entrance, divided into two private guest apartments—because Bond never travels without backup. . 

      RELATED: This $9 Million Villa on the French Riviera Is Perched Above France’s Cap de Nice

      The villa’s spa area includes a indoor heated infinity pool overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

      Hr-Photographe-Immobilier; Savills

      There is no question that Bond (and probably Connery) would appreciate some of the modern updates to the nearly 100-year-old home. A lavish spa area includes a gym and a heated indoor infinity pool that appears to melt into the Mediterranean. Manicured lawns, garden paths, and a massive stone staircase meander down a steep incline below the house, where there’s private, gated access to the rocky shoreline. Also on offer? An adjacent three-bedroom villa with a circular seaside pool—perfect if you need additional space for guests or a little more room for your entourage. 

      Turns out, Villa Roc Fleuri wasn’t Connery’s only French hideaway. In 1979, he bought Domaine de Terre Blanche, a château in Tourrettes about 45 minutes from Nice. He held onto it for nearly 20 years before selling it to German billionaire Dietmar Hopp, who later turned it into a luxury golf resort. The Scottish actor and Roquebrune lived primarily in the Bahamas at the time of his death in 2020.

      Click here to see more photos of Villa Roc Fleuri. 

      Hr-Photographe-Immobilier; Savills

      Authors

      Abby Montanez

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

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      Jane Seymour’s Former Country Estate in the U.K. Hits the Market for $15.9 Million

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      Back in the ’80s, when Jane Seymour was filming the British TV movie Jamaica Inn, the actress stumbled upon St. Catherine’s Court—a historic mansion in Bath dating back to the 1500s. Shortly after, the former Bond girl and her then-husband, David Flynn, purchased the palatial pad together and put the place through an extensive renovation. Later, when Seymour remarried director James Keach, the couple rented the residence out as a film set, recording studio, and wedding venue. Since coming into new ownership in 2007, the estate has recently been put up for sale with Savills for a cool £12.5 million (or about $15.9 million). 

      “Now restored to its former glory, St. Catherine’s Court not only represents a wonderfully idiosyncratic family home, but one that is equipped to entertain on a truly grand scale,” says Ed Sugden with Savills Country Department. And the home has more celeb ties than just Seymour. In the ‘90s, the abode was occupied by The Cure, and, in fact, it’s where the cult-favorite gothic rock band recorded their albums Wild Mood Swings and Bloodflowers. The studio was also a creative hub for Radiohead, who recorded most of their album OK Computer here. 

      RELATED: A Historic UK Palace That Starred in James Bond Just Listed for $93.4 Million

      St. Catherine’s Court in Bath, the former home of British actress Jane Seymour, is up for sale.

      Savills

      Originally constructed for the monks of Bath Abbey, the compound comprises a Grade II-listed manor house, a three-bedroom cottage, a five-bedroom lodge house, and a 15th-century tithe barn. Set on 14 acres, the protected grounds are listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens and have even been praised by acclaimed English landscape architect Gertrude Jekyll. In addition to a 20th-century orangery, there’s a tennis court and two stabling blocks. 

      Altogether, the main house comprises 11 bedrooms and seven bathrooms in a whopping 19,000 square feet of living space. The decadent digs are decked out with ornate plasterwork ceilings, Jacobean woodwork, ancient oak floors, and stately stone fireplaces. Some of the standout spaces include a formal dining room with an impressive carved frieze and a drawing room that doubles as a movie theater, as well as a wine room and a library. 

      RELATED: A Restored U.K. Townhouse on Bath’s Most Prized Street Lists for $6.2 Million

      The centuries-old home has been restored and updated throughout the years.

      Savills

      “Both charming and imposing, St. Catherine’s Court and its gardens are set within a stunningly beautiful hidden valley that leaves one spellbound,” says Ed Sugden with Savills Country Department. “Offering the chance to own a fascinating slice of history, this creative and truly exceptional manor house provides a sense of privacy, peace, and seclusion that belies its location within such easy reach of Bath.” 

      Click here to see more photos of St. Catherine’s Court.  

      Savills

      Authors

      Abby Montanez

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

      Read More More

    • 150 Shares199 Views

      in Luxury

      Pierce Brosnan Is Selling His James Bond-Inspired Malibu Home for $100 Million

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      A former 007 is taking on what could be one of his trickiest assignments yet—selling his Malibu beach house.
      Pierce Brosnan, perhaps best known for playing the titular role in four James Bond movies, is unloading his Broad Beach mansion for no less than $100 million. The Irish actor and his wife, filmmaker Keely Brosnan, commissioned the home after the success of his fourth Bond film, Die Another Day. The mansion’s Southeast Asian aesthetic is in fact inspired by Brosnan’s time shooting the movie in Thailand, according to The Wall Street Journal. 

      Of course, bringing the nearly 12,500-square-foot home to life was no small feat. Prior to building the house, the Brosnans lived in a ranch-style residence on the same plot of land, but it proved to be too small for them. The current residence took about a decade to complete.
      The great room.  Compass

      They had some help, though—architects Ralph and Ross Anderson designed the resort-like property, and it was subsequently built by Albino Construction. The finished product sits on more than an acre of land with access to 117 feet of beachfront. The Brosnans dubbed it “Orchid House,” because, well, the landscaping includes plenty of orchids. (Plus palm trees and gardenias.)
      Broad Beach  Compass

      Between the main house and the guest house, the home has five beds and 14 baths. The primary motif here is teak, which is ideal in oceanfront communities as the wood weathers the moisture well: The floors are wide-plank teak and the entry gates and cabinetry are made of the same material. Another architectural standout is the green clay tile roof, which was directly inspired by the temples in Thailand.
      There’s a separate guest house on the property, plus a two-car garage.  Compass

      Ocean views are also a priority—it’s so close, after all—so many of the interior spaces have large glass windows and doors that look out onto the crashing Pacific. The great room opens up to the beachside deck, and the adjacent kitchen, which has two islands and two stoves, also has a view of the water.
      There’s a fire pit on the property for entertaining.  Compass

      Two bedroom suites also occupy this main level, but it’s the primary bedroom upstairs that’s the real showstopper. The space takes up 4,000 square feet all on its own, and includes two bathrooms, a private deck and a large sitting area. Also upstairs is a private office and an additional guest room.
      The saltwater pool.  Compass

      The amenities fit out the lower level, including a soundproof movie theater with tiered seating and a bar—great for mixing a martini and putting on your favorite Bond flick, naturally—and a gym, music room and spa with two soaking tubs.

      One of hte outdoor dining areas.  Photo: Courtesy of Compass

      Outside there’s the beach, obviously, but the Brosnans also installed a saltwater pool with a waterfall, plus two glass-enclosed areas for outdoor dining. The nearby guest house has two levels, so guests can enjoy a gorgeous view from their upstairs perch—or the whole building can be repurposed into a pool house. Also on the grounds is a two-car garage, which may be worth expanding for larger gatherings in the future.
      The view from one of the decks.  Photo: Courtesy of Compass

      That $100 million asking price is right in line for Malibu. Last year Whatsapp founder Jan Koum shelled out nine figures on a 14,000-square-foot home in the area. And Orchid House isn’t even the most expensive Malibu home on the market—that distinction belongs to a seven-bed, 10-bath property off Pacific Coast Highway that’s hoping for $125 million.
      As for the Brosnans? They’ve decamped to Hawaii, according to The Wall Street Journal. So they’re still not too far from the beach. More