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    Home of the Week: Singer Robbie Williams’s $9.2 Million English Manor House Sits on 72 Acres of Verdant Countryside

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    Singer Robbie Williams’s revelations about the “creepiness” of his rambling English country manor house may come back to haunt him.

    Speaking about the home last year on Instagram Live, the British superstar said the house, parts of which date back to the 17th century, “gives (him) the creeps”, and that his eldest daughter had been scared to sleep in one of the rooms. “I said to her, ‘Do you like the bedroom? Do you like the house?’ And she said, ‘That room scares me’. I said, ‘OK, it scares me too. You don’t have to sleep there anymore,’” the 47-year-old former Take That lead singer explained.

    While the comments no doubt made for fun Instagram Live fan  interaction, they might not help Williams’ British realtor Knight Frank find a buyer for the newly-listed property. But there is good news for any potential non-ghost-fearing house-hunters: The current $9.2 (£6.75) million asking price is around $1.8 million less than the roughly $11 million Williams paid for the estate back in 2009.

    The great room. 

    Photo: Knight Frank

    Williams’ Compton Bassett House, named after the leafy country hamlet of Compton Bassett in rural Wiltshire county, around 85 miles west of London, dates all the way back to 1659. The current house was built in 1935 on the site of the original home’s stable block, and was extensively modified in the 1990s, when it was owned by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Sir Norman Foster. (Among Sir Norman’s impressive body of work is Apple’s HQ in Cupertino, California, the Millau Viaduct in southern France and the pickle-shaped 30 St. Mary Axe tower in London, affectionately known as “the Gherkin”.)

    The tennis court with gazebo. 

    Photo: Knight Frank

    Today Compton Bassett House stands in roughly 72 acres of picturesque countryside. A meandering driveway from the main gated entrance, just opposite the 11th century St. Swithin’s Church, leads to the home’s graveled entrance. The main house itself is a long, narrow, three-story structure which sprawls over almost 20,000 square feet and features seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms.

    A true surprise-and-delight highlight of the home is the so-called “leisure complex” filling most of the lower level. Here, as an escape from the fickle British weather, is a 73-foot indoor heated swimming pool, a hot tub, an adjoining sauna and steam room and a health-club-sized gym. This level also features a large wine cave and self-contained one-bedroom apartment for staff.

    The indoor pool is part of the lower level health club. 

    Photo: Knight Frank

    Up on the first floor is a magnificent 43-foot drawing room with billiards table and stone fireplace. Down a long hallway you’ll find the vast principal bedroom suite with his and hers bathrooms, dressing rooms and a study. On the roof level there are five more ensuite bedrooms (unfortunately, the listing doesn’t reveal which of these gave Williams and his daughter “the creeps”.)

    One of the bedroom suites. 

    Photo: Knight Frank

    Step outside and you’ll find acres of manicured gardens, rolling lawns and woodlands. There’s also Williams’ beloved soccer pitch, a tennis court with summerhouse and a one-bedroom, tile-roofed, 732-square-foot guest cottage. The expansive grounds also feature endless walking trails, horse riding paths and even a quad bike trail which Williams reportedly used for “rage racing” to blow off steam.

    Can’t be bothered with the drive or the 65-minute train ride to London? The house also comes with its own helicopter landing pad, plus a stand-alone hangar and workshop.

    The kitchen. 

    Photo: Knight Frank

    Don’t expect to see the Williams family (the singer is married to American model and actress Ayda Field) during any viewings, as they recently moved to a $32 million secluded villa overlooking Switzerland’s Lake Geneva. The couple also owns a 10-bedroom mansion in Beverly Hills that the singer bought in 2015 for $32.7 million, as well as a home in London’s tony Kensington neighborhood that the he snapped-up in 2014 for $24 million.
    Check out more images of the estate below:

    The property spans 72 acres. 

    Photo: Knight Frank

    The guest cottage. 

    Photo: Knight Frank

    A bedroom. 

    Photo: Knight Frank

    A bathroom. 

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      LeBron James Just Unloaded One of His 3 LA Mansions for $19.6 Million

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      After first bouncing onto the market with a $20.5 million asking price about six months ago, LeBron James has officially sold his Brentwood Park mansion, one of two Brentwood estates he owns. Records reveal the property, which hasn’t been occupied by the NBA superstar for several years, went for $19.6 million in an off-market deal to Hon “Alexander” Shing, founder of the privately-held, LA-based real estate investment firm Cottonwood Management.

      The sale netted King James a lot of money, but it’s also a technical loss—a whopping $1.4 million less than the $21 million he paid for the place nearly six years ago, back in October 2015, when he was still serving it up for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

      Nestled on over a half-acre parcel in the affluent Brentwood Park neighborhood—on the same Rockingham Drive that was made infamous by O.J. Simpson all those years ago—the walled and gated estate was built in 2011, and includes a traditional white brick and stone mansion offering views of the surrounding hills.

      The front yard of the white brick and stone mansion. 

      Realtor.com

      Inside, more than 9,000 square feet of living space on two levels is highlighted by a double-height foyer sporting mustard-hued walls, and a wallpapered formal living room with burnt orange curtains. A family room adorned with fuchsia accent chairs opens via two sets of sliding doors to a loggia ideal for al fresco dining, while the kitchen is outfitted with marble countertops and has an adjacent breakfast room. The main level also holds a formal dining room with a fireplace and a second family room, plus a wood-paneled office.

      One of the room’s in the home with a wood-burning fireplace. 

      Realtor.com

      Upstairs, there’s a master retreat and five additional bedrooms, along with a communal family gathering area/lounge, mudroom and gym. The undeniable star of the show, though, are the picturesque grounds, complete with a grassy lawn that abuts an infinity-edged pool and spa accompanied by a sun deck and cabana. In addition to the Brentwood Park property, James also maintains a spec mansion elsewhere in Brentwood that he bought for $23.5 million in 2017 and a hilltop 90210 compound—a mansion once owned by Hugh Hefner and occupied by Katharine Hepburn—for which he plunked down $36.8 million last year.
      As for Shing, just last month he slammed down another $29.5 million for a 12,000-square-foot home in Beverly Hills, meaning he now has two posh L homes worth a combined $50 million.

      Check out more images of the mansion below.

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      Inside a $21 Million Midcentury Modern Estate Frank Sinatra Once Called Home

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      It’s not exactly in “New York, New York,” but Frank Sinatra’s old Los Angeles digs still have plenty of midcentury-modern charm. Fans of the singer can now snap up the estate, located in the quiet suburb of Chatsworth, for $21 million.

      The home has a long history: It was built by architect William Pereira in 1949 and is one of only a small handful of private residences that he ever designed. Best known for his future-forward structures, Pereira’s résumé includes buildings such as the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The property was created for bank heiress Dora Hutchinson, who leased the place to Sinatra. He lived there in the ’50s and ’60s.

      The living room 

      Scott Everts/Fox/Agency

      The 8,200-square-foot main home has since been meticulously restored recently so that it closely resembles its original design. It’s a seven-bed, seven-bath residence, with a separate guest house for visiting friends and family. Guests can have a few drinks outdoors at the 2,000-square-foot outdoor lounge area or take a dip in the 50-foot pool. (The guest house also has its own small pool.)
      There’s opportunity to make money on the estate, too. Given its distinct architecture, the home has been featured in TV shows such as Mad Men, Big Little Lies and Californication. According to the listing, this production business brings in revenue of about $1 million a year–if you’re comfortable with your home being on the big screen, that is.

      The pool 

      Scott Everts/Fox/Agency

      One of the property’s biggest opportunities has to do with its acreage. It’s a 14-acre parcel altogether, and the estate comes with approval for 10 additional homes with separate entrances from the old Sinatra house. That’s great for a family compound, but you can also develop equestrian facilities, a greenhouse or a gym on the property if that’s more your thing.
      Plenty of room to put your own spin on the listing, or just leave it as is. In the words of Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, the best is yet to come.
      Check out more photos below:

      One of the bedrooms 

      Scott Everts/Fox/Agency

      The kitchen 

      Scott Everts/Fox/Agency

      The guest house and pool 

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      in Luxury

      Neil Patrick Harris Lists His Eclectic Harlem Townhouse for $7.3 Million

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      Neil Patrick Harris and his husband, actor and chef David Burtka, are parting ways with their beloved Harlem brownstone. The couple purchased the place for $3.6 million back in 2013 and spent 14 months converting it from a bed-and-breakfast to a single-family home for them and their kids. Now, they’re decamping to East Hampton after dropping $5.5 million on a home there—which means you can snap up their old NYC digs for a cool $7.3 million.

      The couple worked with interior designer Trace Lehnhoff and architecture firm Povero & Company on converting the property, which dates back to 1908. They updated many aspects of it but also left much of the historic charm intact: The moldings are all original, as are the sycamore staircase and the oak floors.

      The foyer 

      Will Ellis / DDreps

      It’s an 8,000-square-foot parcel, with four bedrooms, four full baths and two half-baths. Those with a larger family (or who just need more guest rooms) can convert the library space into another bedroom should they so choose.
      A good amount of outdoor space is included in the historic home too, starting with the backyard garden. There’s also a deck on the third floor, an outdoor Jacuzzi off the primary suite and a rooftop entertaining area with a pergola and barbecue. Altogether, that’s 2,000 square feet of additional out-of-doors space.

      The bar 

      Will Ellis / DDreps

      It’s kitted out with amenities too, most notably the home theater, which has its own separate entrance. On the basement level there’s a gym, wine cellar and a playroom for the couple’s twins.
      One of the more left-of-center features is Harris’s secret office. You open the trick bar by pressing the eyeball of a magician on a vintage poster (not unlike how one would access the Batcave). Inside are the How I Met Your Mother actor’s original Haunted Mansion and Disneyland artworks.

      The den 

      Will Ellis / DDreps

      “We think of it as Willy Wonka meets the Magic Castle,” Harris told The New York Times jokingly in an email. True story.
      Vickey and Pacey Barron of Compass hold the listing. Check out more photos below:

      The primary bedroom 

      Will Ellis / DDreps

      The movie theater 

      Will Ellis / DDreps

      The roof deck 

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      in Luxury

      LA Clipper Luke Kennard Drops $5.5 Million on a Modern Farmhouse in Los Angeles

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      Signed late last year to the LA Clippers on a coffer-filling four-year contract extension valued at $64 million, with a whopping $56 million guaranteed—an annual haul that’s more than three times the $3.8 million he pulled down during his final season with the Detroit Pistons—sharpshooting 6’5” guard Luke Kennard has shelled out some of his rapidly expanding athletic riches on a $5.5 million dollar home in LA’s once overlooked but nowadays increasingly expensive and desirable San Fernando Valley community of Tarzana.

      The front of the home featuring a smooth stone driveway, garage and its wooden accents. 

      Redfin

      The unmarried 25-year-old Ohio native, who dropped out of Duke University after his sophomore year to go pro as the 12th pick in round one of the 2017 NBA draft and several years ago briefly dated reality TV personality Savannah Chrisley of “Chrisley Knows Best,” opted not for a sleek cliffhanger in the Hollywood Hills or a Beverly Hills starter house, as many wildly rich 20-something-year-old professional basketballers might, but rather a newly built, family-sized suburban mini-mansion with five bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms in just over 7,000 square feet.

      A view of the airy lounge area within the home. 

      Redfin

      Private sited on an elevated plateau at the end of a long, gated drive, the sprawling home—a warmly contemporary version of the ubiquitous “modern farmhouse” that’s sprouted up everywhere in affluent communities all over southern California over the last handful of years—sits on more than half an acre with leafy and relaxing if not exactly jaw dropping treetop views. Open plan living spaces, which include formal living and dining areas along with a family room and a second-floor den, showcase scads of custom built-ins and expertly crafted wood work such as the geometrically paneling that surrounds the fireplaces in the living and family rooms. A huge, high-end culinary workhorse, the clean-lined kitchen is arranged around two large island topped by thick slabs of black marble (or a marble-like material) that waterfall off the ends. The main floor is completed by an en-suite home office or staff bedroom and a small screening room with a dramatic lighting program.
      Each of the four second-floor guest bedrooms includes a paneled accent wall and a uniquely tiled private bathroom, while the primary bedroom offers a vaulted and beamed exposed wood ceiling, a fireplace, a private terrace and spa-style bathroom where the imposing black marble (or marble-like) walls are balanced with gleaming white floor tiles and wood paneling on the wall behind the tub.

      The spacious master bedroom with farmhouse-style overhead paneling. 

      Redfin

      Soaked in sunshine with nary a tree for shade, the backyard was designed for easy-going al fresco living and entertaining with a thick carpet of manicured lawn, a built-in grill and bar and several loggias for shaded dining and lounging, including an open-air pavilion with attached bath next to the tile-accented infinity-edge swimming pool and spa.
      The property was co-listed with Kobi Costa at Compass and Daniel Drantch of Rodeo Realty; Kennard was represented by Kevin Stewart and Jon Grauman, both of the Grauman & Rosenfeld Group at The Agency.
      Check out more images of the mansion below.

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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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      Scottie Pippen Is Airbnb-ing His $2 Million Chicago Home During the Olympics—for $92 a Night

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      There won’t be any spectators in Tokyo for this year’s Olympics, so if you plan on watching, make sure it’s at a grand venue where you can really feel like you’re celebrating the moment. Thankfully, two-time gold medalist Scottie Pippen is opening up his Chicago home to fans through Airbnb, so you can watch the games at the home of a former Olympian.

      It’s a bit of a steal, too, as Pippen’s six-bedroom home is available for $92 a night—a nod to the year he and his teammates won at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Fans staying at the Chicago residence can rewatch that moment via archival footage in the movie theater before tuning in to the Tokyo games. Pippen will even virtually greet guests upon their arrival.

      The living room. 

      Airbnb

      It’s all part of a special, limited-edition package offered through Airbnb, with bookings going live at 1 pm EST on July 22. The experience also includes some take-home swag, as guests will be able to snag a few items from Team USA’s 2020 Medal Stand Collection with Nike so they’ll always remember the trip. Also included in the package is a selection of pre-game foods including fruits and veggies, steak and more.
      You’ll also be able to enjoy the spectacular 10,000-square-foot home, which has a basketball court with an image of Pippen’s old Chicago Bulls jersey emblazoned on the floor. Outside there’s a pool with a nearby TV, so you won’t miss any of the games while swimming laps. Other big-ticket amenities include an arcade room and indoor sauna.

      The basketball court. 

      Airbnb

      There are three one-night stays available at Pippen’s home, and they’re timed with the basketball competitions: August 2, August 4 and August 6. If you miss out and are still interested in the property, there’s a chance it will be back on the sale market sooner rather than later—Pippen has been shopping it for years now, and it was last listed for two million. His Florida home has also been on and off the market in recent years, with the NBA star even offering to throw in his 55′ VanDutch yacht in the mix to sweeten the deal.
      Check out more photos of his Chicago digs below:

      The movie theater. 

      Airbnb

      One of the bedrooms. 

      Airbnb

      The sauna. 

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      Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes: David Bowie’s $17 Million NYC Apartment Sold After Just One Month on the Market

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      Ground Control to Major Tom: rock star David Bowie’s longtime New York City digs have sold. The revered singer-songwriter originally purchased the Nolita condo for $3.8 million in 1999; it was most recently for sale for $16.8 million. For fans of Bowie, the listing presented a rare opportunity, as it was the first time that the unit had been on the market since his death in 2016.

      The 5,000-square-foot residence is located at 285 Lafayette Street, a spot that’s over the years drawn celebrity buyers like Courtney Love and Saul Rubinek. The 30-unit building dates back to 1885, when it was the site of a Hawley & Hoops candy factory. It’s been thoroughly reimagined since, with amenities including an expansive rooftop deck and garden.

      The great room. 

      Photo: MW Studio/Michael Weinstein for The Corcoran Group

      Bowie had a soft spot for the neighborhood, where, according to the book Forever Stardust: David Bowie Across the Universe, he “felt at home, semi-anonymous, among New Yorkers too cool to act star-struck at celebrity sightings.” The property was listed for sale by a trust linked to the estate, per the Wall Street Journal. 
      But the residence has more going for it than just star power. In addition to its indoor areas, there are three outdoor terraces where friends and family can enjoy dining al fresco; these balcony spaces are 1,000 square feet altogether. There are four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms in the unit, plus a library or home office for the WFH set. The primary bedroom is 1,000 square feet all on its own, and includes a fireplace, dressing room and private outdoor lounge.

      The library. 

      Photo: MW Studio/Michael Weinstein for The Corcoran Group

      Other Bowie properties include an apartment at the JW Marriott Essex House by Central Park, which sold earlier this year, and his famous estate on the island of Mustique in the Caribbean, which you can rent for about $57,000 per week. The Nolita home is on the seventh floor, so the buyer will have great views of downtown–just a slight step down from the “far above the moon” vantage point Bowie so famously crooned about. More

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      NFL Star Clay Matthews’s $30 Million California Home Comes With an 800-Gallon Aquarium

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      After a brief stint with the Los Angeles Rams, linebacker Clay Matthews is leaving the City of Angels behind for good—though he’ll have to offload some square footage first. The former Green Bay Packers star is listing the sprawling mansion that he once considered his forever home. He and his partner, HGTV star Casey Noble, built the home from scratch, and are now decamping to Nashville to be closer to family, as Matthews is currently a free agent. Their carefully constructed digs could be yours, then, if you’ve got a spare $30 million sitting around.

      Matthews bought the land that he eventually built on for $2.6 million back in 2013. It’s located in the Oaks of Calabasas, a gated enclave that’s over the years attracted celebrities like Justin Bieber and the Kardashians. Matthews’s residence sits on 1.65 acres all its own.

      The living room 

      Simon Berlyn

      The home was designed in a French Provincial style, combining big stately arches with more rustic elements like salvaged wood ceiling beams. One of the most notable features of the 14,000-square-foot home is a massive, 800-gallon aquarium in the library. It was first installed as part of an episode of Tanked on Animal Planet. According to The Wall Street Journal, Matthews’s fish collection includes clownfish, triggerfish and eels from far-flung locales such as Australia, Indonesia and Hawaii. They can be purchased separately from the property. Also in the library is a secret room hidden behind a bookshelf, which Matthews and Noble used for a safe. It can double as a panic room or additional storage.
      The basement houses a suite of amenities, including a 15-seat theater, a wine cellar and an expansive garage that can hold about 10 autos and can be accessed from the street. It’s an 11-bed, eight-bath parcel altogether, with a primary suite that overlooks the grounds from a private balcony.

      The library, which houses an 800-gallon fish tank 

      Simon Berlyn

      Outside, there’s a pool and spa, a sports court, garden, goldfish pond and space to entertain alfresco around a fire pit. Since Matthews picked out such a big piece of land, there’s room to add even more to the outdoor space—though not enough for a full football field.
      The home is co-listed with Branden and Rayni Williams and Shana Tavangarian of the Beverly Hills Estates and Nima Fathi of HBC Realty.
      Check out more photo of the pro linebacker’s digs below:

      The game room 

      Simon Berlyn

      The kitchen 

      Simon Berlyn

      The movie theater 

      Simon Berlyn

      The pool 

      Simon Berlyn

      The garage 

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