Los Angeles

Subterms

    More stories

    • 163 Shares189 Views

      in Luxury

      The Menendez Brothers’s Murder Mansion in Beverly Hills Just Sold for $17 Million

      by

      It is perhaps one of the most infamous homes in true crime history. But for all the darkness that surrounds it, the Los Angeles mansion where Erik and Lyle Menendez murdered their parents today bears no remnant of the grisly crime for which it is known. Lavish and well-maintained, the Mediterranean-style mansion sits behind carefully clipped hedges and sycamore trees on a lovely, sunny street in the Beverly Hills Flats neighborhood.

      The home’s macabre history also failed to scare well-heeled buyers away. After putting it up for sale at the end of last year, longtime owner Samuel Delug has just unloaded the place for exactly $17 million—a discount off the nearly $20 million ask, but still more than quadruple what the local businessman paid for the house back in 2001. The new owners, per records, are the Lahijanis, a wealthy Iranian family based in Beverly Hills.

      Inside, the palatial home boasts a two-story foyer with limestone floors, a wood-paneled billiard room, a living room with Palladian windows and a den with a wet bar. It was in that very den, as many true crime aficionados know, where wealthy businessman Jose Menendez and his wife Kitty were shot dead with a pair of 12-gauge shotguns in August 1989.

      The Menendez family had been renting the Beverly Hills house while they waited for construction on their dream home in Calabasas to be finished, and the resulting publicity generated by the murders catapulted the house into the international spotlight. In 1993, the 90210 manse was bought by Murder, She Wrote co-creator William Link, who sold the place in 2001 to Delug.

      Built in 1927 but radically remodeled in the 1970s and again in the mid 1980s, the Mediterranean-style mansion also offers seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms in about 9,000 square feet of living space, all of it set on a half-acre lot with a backyard swimming pool and detached guesthouse.

      Other notable home amenities include backyard rose gardens, a wine cellar with a tasting room, a wood-paneled office,and an enormous primary bedroom with black-and-gold carpeting, plus dual bathrooms and dual showroom closets. The two-story guesthouse contains an upstairs bedroom with a private balcony, plus an attached one-car garage accessed via a discreet alleyway that runs behind the property.

      Amy Vertun of Rodeo Realty held the listing; Jordana Leigh, also of Rodeo Realty, repped the buyers. More

    • 150 Shares169 Views

      in Luxury

      Chargers Coach Sanjay Lal Drops $8.8 Million on a Spanish-Style SoCal Estate

      by

      Sanjay Lal has traded in Lumen Field for SoFi Stadium! The former Seattle Seahawks football coach has officially decamped the Evergreen State for the Golden State, with the 17-year NFL veteran having recently assumed the helm as the newest wide receivers coach for the Los Angeles Chargers.

      He’s also changed up his real estate roster, having scooped up some snazzy L.A.-area digs in the San Fernando Valley neighborhood of Calabasas. Property records show Lal doled out nearly $8.9 million for his newly acquired mansion, knocking around $3 million off the original $12 million asking price.

      Lal’s sprawling estate is hidden away down a lengthy gated driveway, amid a 5-acre lot perched atop a promontory overlooking mountain vistas. Built in 2022 by “master craftsmen,” per the listing, the white stucco and red terracotta-roof structure is fronted by a 22-car motorcourt flanked by five garage spaces. Inside, eight bedrooms and 10 baths are filtered across a little more than 11,300 square feet of two-level living space adorned throughout with blonde hardwood floors, high ceilings inset with wood panels and sliding glass doors providing seamless indoor-outdoor environs.

      Double steel-framed glass doors resting beneath a portico entryway lead into the double-height foyer, which displays a curving staircase and custom chandelier. From there, the living room features a fireplace sporting a black marble surround and a formal dining room is nestled alongside a climate-controlled wine cellar that can accommodate up to 585 bottles. Other highlights include a cozy fireside family room that connects via a casual dining area to a sleekly designed gourmet kitchen outfitted with an eat-in island, top-tier stainless appliances and a butler’s pantry.

      Elsewhere on the main level is a movie theater with tiered seating, gym, an office, and a secluded upstairs primary bedroom that comes complete with a fireplace, sitting area, balcony, massive walk-in closet, separate dressing area, and luxe bath boasting dual vanities, a soaking tub and tiled shower. A game room also can be found on this floor; and outdoors, the grassy grounds host a pool and spa, fire-pit, soccer field, and covered al fresco lounging and entertaining terrace holding a barbecue setup and fireplace. There’s also a detached one-bedroom, one bath guesthouse with its own kitchen and living room.

      A London native, 54-year-old Lal joined the Chargers as wide receivers coach after working as passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach for the Seahawks from 2022 to 2023. During his 17 years in the NFL, he’s also assisted the Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars. In addition to the Calabasas estate, Lal and his wife Melody recently got a record-setting $16.2 million for an oceanfront home near Jacksonville that they bought for $9.8 million in spring 2021 while it was still under construction. More

    • 150 Shares189 Views

      in Luxury

      Flea Relists His Offbeat Compound North of Los Angeles for $7 Million

      by

      Back in early 2022, after having picked up a $14 million spread in the steep mountains above Beverly Hills—and already owning a petite hideaway in the exclusive Malibu Colony gated community—Michael “Flea” Balzary decided to hoist his funky architectural digs tucked away in the La Crescenta foothills of Los Angeles onto the market for $9.8 million. Now, a little more than two years later, the Red Hot Chili Pepper bassist’s pedigreed property in the unincorporated community near Glendale has once again resurfaced for sale, per TMZ, this time asking a speck under $7 million.

      That’s still a lot more than the $4.3 million Balzary paid contemporary artists Lari Pittman and Roy Dowell for the place in 2018, but it does include an 875-square-foot addition that was installed on the land in 2021, as well as a pool and cabin that were tacked on in 2020.

      The seven-sided main home is wrapped around a central courtyard.

      Lauren Engel/Cameron Carothers

      Sited about 20 miles north of Downtown L.A., amid a “curated succulent garden” bordering the Angeles National Forest, the hilltop compound is sequestered down a lengthy driveway and features two primary dwellings—a glassy main house designed by L.A.-based architect Michael Maltzan in 2009, plus a 1950s home specially crafted by noted modernist architect Richard Neutra for his secretary Dorothy Serulnic and her husband George.

      Also on the premises are a striking accessory cabin clad entirely in redwood, an outdoor movie pavilion, and sweeping mountain and city lights views from every vantage point. As for the main home, commissioned by Pittman and Dowell, it includes an impressive seven-sided structure wrapped around a central courtyard, along with the aforementioned recent Maltzan addition. Featured in Architectural Record, it’s garnered a trio of awards from the American Institute of Architects.

      A curvilinear penny-tiled bathroom is a focal point of the primary house.

      Lauren Engel/Cameron Carothers

      Particularly standing out inside is a primary bedroom sporting a curvilinear penny-tiled bath, and the space also holds an office, a den and tons of built-in storage space; outdoors, a Johnston Vidal lap pool stretches 50 feet, while an open-air movie pavilion is outfitted with a wind screen and catering kitchen.

      Known as the “Dorothy Serulnic Residence,” the original abode packs two bedrooms and a full bath into 1,350 square feet of restored living space boasting walls of glass and a stone fireplace. Neutra-designed built-ins can be found throughout—think a sofa system sporting a record player and concealed speakers, along with numerous desks, shelving systems, a dining room table, sliding breakfast nook and vanity.

      “The property is literally your own midcentury space station right here in Los Angeles,” says Branden Williams of The Beverly Hills Estates, who shares the listing with Rayni Williams of The Beverly Hills Estates, and Sherri Rogers and Anthony Stellini of Compass.

      Click here for more photos of Flea’s Los Angeles compound.

      Lauren Engel/Cameron Carothers More

    • 125 Shares169 Views

      in Luxury

      Winnie Harlow Seeks $3.7 Million for Modern Farmhouse-Style L.A. Estate

      by

      About 3.5 years ago, Winnie Harlow celebrated the purchase of her very first house with an Instagram post that racked up hundreds of thousands of likes. But with her red-hot career continuing to soar, it’s perhaps not surprising that one world’s most in-demand fashion models is already moving on from her suburban Los Angeles residence. Newly up for grabs and offered at a hair under $3.7 million, the decidedly luxe home is sequestered in the San Fernando Valley neighborhood of Tarzana.

      Back in September 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Harlow dropped millions—$3.3 million, to be exact—on that aforementioned Tarzana home, a spacious modern farmhouse-style new spec build with nearly 4,300 square feet of living space. The mostly flat property includes a relatively big backyard with covered patios, a barbecue center, fire-pit and a saltwater pool with waterfall features. At the far rear of the lot lies a a big grassy lawn that could easily accommodate a future sports court and small guesthouse, should the next owner choose to add them.

      Built by a developer on speculation in 2020, the spacious residence is a quintessential “modern farmhouse.”

      Google Earth

      Behind gates, the residence features an attached two-car garage and front door that opens directly into a living room equipped with clerestory windows and a fireplace. Oak floors imported from Europe flow into the open dining room, which connects to a chef’s kitchen with stainless Thermador appliances, a walk-in pantry and breakfast nook.

      Open to the kitchen area is the family room, which offers a linear stone fireplace and wet bar with a beverage refrigerator, plus a walk-in wine closet that’s fully temperature-controlled. Pocket sliding doors allow the indoor living area to effortlessly spill outside, and entertaining is a proverbial breeze — the entire property has surround sound technology, security cameras and smart-home technology for peace of mind.

      All five of the bedrooms feature ensuite full baths, and the main floor also features a powder room. Upstairs, the primary suite offers high ceilings and balcony views of the entire backyard, plus is complemented by a luxe stone bathroom and dual closets with wall-to-wall custom built-ins.

      A native Canadian, Harlow was discovered by Tyra Banks and catwalked to public prominence in 2014 as a contestant of the 21st season of America’s Next Top Model. The 29-year-old is now one of the world’s top social media influencers, with over 10 million followers on Instagram alone, and a runway/print model who has shot campaigns for Fendi, Nike, Swarovski, Marc Jacobs and Steve Madden, to name a few. She’s also appeared on the cover of Vogue, and starred in music videos alongside the likes of Beyonce and Eminem. More

    • 163 Shares109 Views

      in Luxury

      A Tech Magnate Is Asking $85 Million for His Extravagant Beverly Hills Compound

      by

      Around 24 years ago, in December 2000, Jim Demetriades began piecing together a lavish compound with a single house that he and his then-new wife Nancy had picked up for $8.4 million. Never on the market before, the veteran tech entrepreneur’s incomparable spread dubbed “Villa Theos” has now popped up for sale in the desirable Beverly Hills Post Office area of Los Angeles, asking an impressive $85 million.

      As first reported by The Wall Street Journal, the gated collection of red brick and stucco structures cost tens of millions of dollars to assemble, and includes the since-renovated main home and several ancillary buildings—for a total of 13 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms in 28,000 square feet, all of it resting on two parcels of land spanning over 2 acres, and boasting choice amenities ranging from a bowling alley and nightclub, to a shooting range and subterranean man cave/bunker accessible via a tunnel.

      “Jim and I really sat down and thought, ‘OK, if we could have anything we wanted—the sky’s the limit—what would we want?’ And we just went for it,” Nancy told WSJ.

      The resort-like grounds are spotlighted by an infinity-edge swimming pool.

      Anthony Barcelo

      The result? A primary dwelling spotlighted by a formal living room flaunting a reclaimed wood-beam ceiling, wet bar and an antique fireplace imported from France, plus a luxe primary bedroom that comes complete with a separate fireside sitting room and dual baths. Surrounding it are multiple guesthouses and office spaces, along with a recently completed “coach house” featuring an Old West-themed nightclub sporting a disco ball, velvet couches and a custom 50,000-watt speaker system with subwoofers built into the ceiling.

      But that’s not all! There’s also a 20-seat movie theater, bowling alley, shooting range, gym and classroom setup for the couple’s five children who are now grown, as well as a subterranean man cave/emergency bunker equipped with bulletproof doors and a 4,500-bottle wine cellar. Last, but definitely not least: the resort-worthy grounds, which overlook picturesque city lights and ocean vistas, and host some 140 fruit trees, several spots ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining, an infinity-edge swimming pool and even a chicken coop.

      A 4,500-bottle wine cellar is one of the many amenities dotting the property. 

      Anthony Barcelo

      According to WSJ, the Greece native and Pasadena-raised founder and CEO of Kairos Ventures—a venture-capital firm that invests in groundbreaking startups and research in the technology, and life and physical sciences arenas—and his former actress wife are selling because they are “faced with the prospect of becoming empty-nesters sooner than expected.”

      The listing is held by Drew Fenton of Carolwood Estates and Kurt Rappaport of Westside Estate Agency.

      Click here for more photos of Villa Theos.

      Anthony Barcelo More

    • 150 Shares129 Views

      in Luxury

      A Celebrity Hairstylist Just Dropped $8 Million on a Scenic Malibu Estate

      by

      Social media savvy celebrity hairstylist and haircare entrepreneur Jen Atkin has traded in her chicly renovated home in L.A.’s suburban neighborhood of Tarzana for an impressive blufftop estate in the rugged hills of Malibu. where she and her husband, fashion photographer Mike Rosenthal, have splashed out about $8.1 million for a 5,000-square-foot, Tuscan-influenced mansion with supremely dramatic ocean views.

      Atkin paid $4.5 million for the Tarzana place in early 2021 and just flipped it—in an off-market deal—for $6.2 million to Melissa Mowbray-d’Arbela, an investor and the ex-wife of former Canada Pension Plan Investment Board CEO Mark Machin. Built brand new in 2017, and set behind gates on about two-thirds of an acre at the head of a horseshoe driveway, the home incorporates a number of architectural genres, from a classic, low-slung California ranch house to a shingled and whitewashed East Coast traditional to the ubiquitously trendy “modern farmhouse” style that has proliferated across L.A. over the last handful of years.

      Sited high above Pacific Coast Highway at the end of a narrow and winding road, the gated compound offers many resort-style amenities.

      As for the Malibu compound, it was designed by acclaimed architect Marc Appleton, built new in the early 2000s and last sold in late 2021 for $7.7 million, per records. In addition to a two-story main house, which will no doubt be given a fashionable overhaul by Atkin, the 1.3-acre property also includes a detached two-car garage and a wee guesthouse/studio building, plus a large rectangular swimming pool, a full-size tennis court and wraparound patios ideal for grand-scale al fresco entertaining. The main house packs in four bedrooms and four bathrooms, nearly all of which are blessed with 180-degree coastline views—from the sunrise at Palos Verdes peninsula and Catalina island, to the sunset over Point Dume and Channel Islands.

      Atkin continues to maintain a strikingly contemporary vacation home in Seattle, which was featured in a 2022 issue of Architectural Digest. Located on the shores of Lake Washington, that $4.6 million house was designed by architect Peter Cohan and offers five bedrooms and 4.5 baths in about 5,400 square feet.

      The haircare mega-influencer, who the The New York Times once called “The Most Influential Hairstylist in the World,” and who boasts 5.3 million Instagram followers, has long cut and pressed the tresses of a loyal celebrity clientele who include Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez, Chrissy Teigen, Gigi and Bella Hadid, and the entire Kardashian family. The Utah native, 44, is also the founder of uber-successful hair care product line OUAI, creator of a range of hair extensions and accessories, the author of the cheekily titled self-help memoir “Blowing My Way to the Top,” and the founder of the digital magazine ManeAddicts.com. More

    • 175 Shares169 Views

      in Luxury

      An Aspiring Race Car Driver Lists Her Peaceful Beverly Hills Retreat for $30 Million

      by

      Though she’s not quite a household name yet, Sayo Haraishi soon hopes to become a regular fixture on the racing circuits. Meanwhile, the aspiring driver has been keeping herself busy spearheading the revamp of a 1970s-era house in the posh Beverly Hills enclave of Trousdale Estates. Now the newly completed spread has just popped up for sale, asking a speck under $30 million.

      Originally acquired by Haraishi back in August 2019 for $5 million, the existing property underwent an extensive four-year remodel by Los Angeles-based Montalba Architects—widely known for its work with Nobu Hotels and Soho House—and includes four bedrooms and five baths sprawled across 7,000 square feet of modern yet warm living space adorned throughout with a mix of hardwood and stone floors, high ceilings, custom millwork, designer lighting and clerestory windows. Walls of glass also provide sweeping city lights, hillside and coastline views.

      The great room hosts a dining area, sunken living room and glass doors spilling out to the backyard.

      Ryan Lahiff

      Tucked away on a gated parcel spanning over a half-acre, the sleek architectural structure is described in the listing as a “seamless fusion of Japanese-inspired design elements and contemporary luxury.” A set of pivoting double front doors open into the open-concept great room, which is highlighted by a sunken living area centered between a massive linear fireplace with a floating hearth and built-in shelving, plus a spacious dining room adjoining a space that’s big enough to accommodate a large piano for entertaining guests.

      A bookshelf-lined family room connects to the gourmet kitchen, which is outfitted with an eat-in island, top-tier appliances, ample wine storage and an accompanying breakfast nook, and elsewhere is a private office, plus an inviting primary bedroom sporting another linear fireplace, a built-in desk, and showroom-style closet and dressing room, as well as a spa-like bath equipped with dual vanities, a teak-clad soaking tub and separate rainfall shower.

      A Japanese soaking tub in the primary bathroom offers the feeling of bathing amid nature.

      Ryan Lahiff

      The amenities continue out to the landscaped grounds, where Zen-like courtyards are bolstered by bonsai and maple trees, a seating area is warmed by a fire-pit, and a curving infinity-edge swimming pool with a Baja shelf and spa is flanked by a sundeck—all overlooking those picturesque vistas. There’s also an attached two-car garage out front.

      The listing is held by Ben Bacal of Revel Real Estate and Jade Mills of Coldwell Banker Realty.

      Click here for more photos of Sayo Haraishi’s Beverly Hills house.

      Ryan Lahiff More

    • 88 Shares179 Views

      in Luxury

      Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Daughter Lists Luxe L.A. Townhouse

      by

      Five years ago, producer Christina Schwarzenegger paid $2.8 million for her very first home: a Mediterranean-influenced townhouse on Los Angeles’s desirable Westside. Now 32, the younger daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver has punted the luxury residence back on to the market, asking just a hair under $3.2 million. Located in the posh Brentwood neighborhood, the 2013-built luxury pad is very private and essentially invisible from the street out front, yet remains just a quick jaunt from an array of top-notch restaurants and shopping.

      From the street, a long walkway leads past a locked, camera-watched gate to a peaceful courtyard with an oversized fountain, a couple palm trees, potted plants, and seating area. Inside, the pleasant, casually cool interior decor features mostly neutral shades and was recently updated by a previous owner, lingerie designer Leigh Bantivoglio.

      A fireplace and sets of French doors grace the formal living room, while the dining and family rooms connect to the reasonably spacious kitchen. The typical assortment of high-end stainless Thermador appliances and a textured metal-look backsplash are juxtaposed against the groovy dark hardwood custom cabinetry. Elsewhere downstairs are an office and designer-done powder room.

      The Mediterranean-style townhome was built in 2012 and is walking distance from an array of upscale shopping and dining destinations.

      Google Earth

      All four of the townhouse’s ensuite bedrooms are located on the upper level, with the master being blessed with dual vanities and a built-in soaking tub in the marble-floored bath. There’s also a fireplace and dual walk-in closets, ideal for a designer wardrobe. An al fresco dining space and attached two car garage complete the property.

      Schwarzenegger also made several upgrades and customizations of her own; the listing states “no expense was spared” when it came to luxury features, including a state-of-the-art security system, hual tankless water heaters, a new dual-zone HVAC system, a whole-house water filtration and softening system and a custom surround south system seamlessly integrated with a high-tech home automation system. Also on tap are pricey Serena and Lily wallpaper, custom drapes, and bamboo shades, ideal for at-home privacy and serenity.

      Now in their late 20s and early 30s, the Shriver-Schwarzenegger children have begun making serious real estate moves of their own, buying and selling multimillion dollar homes across Los Angeles, from West Hollywood to Santa Monica. Christina’s older sister Katherine and her husband, Hollywood film actor Chris Pratt, currently have their Pacific Palisades mansion on the market, asking $30 million. More