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      in Luxury

      You Can Call Bing Crosby’s Former Coachella Valley Estate Your Own for $4.5 Million

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      In need of an oasis? Look no further than the late superstar Bing Crosby’s former desert estate in Rancho Mirage, California.

      Having been listed on and off the market for over a decade, the midcentury modern home has a new asking price of $4.5 million. Sitting on roughly 1.5 acres in a gated community called Thunderbird Heights, the 6,700 square-foot home was built by the “White Christmas” singer in the 1950s. It includes five bedrooms, a home theater, a double-oven kitchen, an outdoor patio and jaw-dropping views of the Coachella Valley. Of course, the desert utopia also comes with its own pool, spa, putting green and an entire guest wing (with two bedrooms) for when company comes to stay.

      The front yard of the home. 

      Kristofer Magenheim

      The current owner, Robert Teller, first listed the property for $3.495 million in 2010. David Emerson and Alexandra Trejo of Compass now share the listing, and believe the strong local real-estate market will pull in attractive offers, according to The Wall Street Journal. For context, the median sale price in Rancho Mirage was up 32.4% in the third quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2021, according to data from Miller Samuel Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants. “Our market is on fire,” Emerson tells the WSJ. “We’ve been in double-digit increases annually for the past several years.”

      Back in 2005, Teller, a former ice cream industry entrepreneur and a real estate investor, bought the house for $2.625 million. According to reports, he said he bought it because his late wife, who was battling cancer at the time, wanted a home in the desert. The businessman was also drawn to the estate himself, as he shared an appreciation for Crosby with his father growing up. When his wife passed, Teller began listing the property—having found that he’s not as big a fan of the desert as his is of the entertainer.

      The living room. 

      Kristofer Magenheim

      Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby Jr. is one of the most popular entertainers of all time, known for both his singing and acting success from 1926 to 1977. In 1931, he launched his first radio show, and later went on to host the hugely popular “The Bing Crosby Show for Chesterfield” on CBS Radio. The actor starred in over 70 motion pictures including classics like “Road to Bali” and “High Society.” He went on to become an Oscar and Grammy award-winner before his death.

      Outdoor patio with seating. 

      Kristofer Magenheim

      For more information on Crosby’s Rancho Mirage estate, head over to Compass.com. Check out more images of the property below.

      The home’s entrance. 

      Kristofer Magenheim

      The kitchen. 

      Kristofer Magenheim

      Views from the kitchen. 

      Kristofer Magenheim

      Indoor seating with a view. 

      Kristofer Magenheim

      One of the bedrooms. 

      Kristofer Magenheim

      Master bathroom. 

      Kristofer Magenheim

      A guest wing bedroom. 

      Kristofer Magenheim

      The guest living room and kitchen. 

      Kristofer Magenheim

      The pool at night. 

      Kristofer Magenheim

      The backyard. 

      Kristofer Magenheim

      Aerial view. 

      Kristofer Magenheim More

    • 175 Shares199 Views

      in Vacation Homes

      This $100 Million Private Island in the Bahamas Comes Fully Furnished and Move-In Ready

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      Why own a vacation home when you can have a whole island? Those looking to really get away from it all this winter are in luck, as Little Pipe Cay, a private island in the Bahamas, has hit the market once again for $100 million. No small price, and $15 million more than the property was going for when it was first listed in 2018.

      What justifies the uptick in price? Simply put, owning an island is now more appealing than ever. Many left major cities behind for more far-flung locales last year during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, and that interest doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. Little Pipe Cay has some geographical advantages compared to other isles too, as it’s located in the 350-island Exumas archipelago. So it’s not far from Miami, should you ever want to hop over to the city for a long weekend.

      One of the residences 

      Photo: Lifestyle Production Group

      The 40-acre island is more built out than most others on the market, too, instead of just being an undeveloped piece of land: Six of the structures come fully furnished and are move-in ready. The main residence, for instance, is 5,300 square feet and has a primary bedroom with dual bathrooms and walk-in closets. Nearby is a separate structure for entertaining, which features a dining area, a pub, a spa and a gym. There are four guest houses on the property, plus storehouses and staff quarters. The island’s current infrastructure can be credited to investor and businessman Michael Dingman, who previously owned the property, according to The Wall Street Journal. 

      A living room 

      Photo: Brett Davis

      Of course, as incredible as a property like this one is, upkeep doesn’t come cheap. Running costs total about $1.5 million, though there’s room to turn it into a money-making venture. The future owner could transform the place into a resort, similar to Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island, and turn a profit.

      Homes on the island combine indoor and outdoor living 

      Photo: Brett Davis

      Or you can keep it to yourself. The area’s crystalline waters and scenic vistas are certainly worth having access to year-round.
      Fredrik Eklund and John Gomes of Douglas Elliman hold the listing. Check out more photos of the island below:

      One of the bedrooms 

      Photo: Brett Davis

      A lounge area 

      Photo: Brett Davis

      The pool 

      Photo: Lifestyle Production Group

      One of the beaches 

      Photo: Lifestyle Production Group More

    • 213 Shares189 Views

      in Luxury

      Madonna’s Former Miami Mansion Has Been Listed for $31.7 Million by a Wealthy Dog (Yes, a Dog)

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      Well, every dog has its day.

      A German shepherd is reportedly selling a Miami home for $31.7 million. The wealthy pooch is known as Gunther VI and currently holds a fortune originally inherited by the late Gunther III, who was left millions of dollars when his owner, German countess Karlotta Liebenstein, passed away in 1992. Gunther IV then allegedly purchased the home from Madonna for $7.5 million about 20 years ago, so its current asking price would turn a tidy profit.

      How exactly a dog can own and sell a house is a matter of some debate: The New York Post has argued that the pampered canine isn’t really involved with the deal all. There’s even speculation that Liebenstein was entirely made up.

      The entryway 

      LPG for The Assouline Team at Compass

      Regardless of Gunther’s involvement (or lack thereof), the home itself is still for sale and could appeal to Northeastern snowbirds. It’s an 8,400-square-foot mansion altogether, with nine bedrooms and eight and a half bathrooms. It’s located on a coveted lot with 100 feet of water frontage and a dock.

      The kitchen 

      LPG for The Assouline Team at Compass

      The home’s architecture has clear Mediterranean influences, and the property sits on a 51,000-square-foot parcel of land. Outside there’s a pool with stone fountains plus a surrounding pavilion for lounging and entertaining. Gunther reportedly spends most of his days lounging in the primary bedroom, which has views of Biscayne Bay.

      Gunther VI 

      LPG for The Assouline Team at Compass

      Madonna caught wind of the listing, and that a dog might be selling it, and shared her thoughts on the matter on Instagram last week. She posted an image of Gunther and the residence on her Instagram story and said, “When you find out a dog is selling your old house for 3 times the amount you sold it for!” Her statement was followed by home and crying emojis.

      The dining room 

      LPG for The Assouline Team at Compass

      It is true that Florida real estate has become much more sought-after since the Queen of Pop parted with it all those years ago. Miami Beach ranked No. 5 in Property Shark’s annual ranking of most expensive zip codes in the US, so expect listings to continue rising in price in the area—although many may just end up tearing their new digs down and starting anew.
      Check out more photos of the listing below: More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Luxury

      Elon Musk Vowed to ‘Own No House.’ Now He’s Reportedly Sold His $32 Million San Francisco Home.

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      Elon Musk seems to be making good on his promise to “own no house.”

      Last year, the SpaceX CEO tweeted out that he would sell all of his real estate in an effort to offload “almost all physical possessions.” By the end of the year, he had ditched four of his Bel Air residences for a combined $62 million. Now Musk is reportedly on the cusp of parting with the last piece of property in his portfolio: A San Francisco–area mansion that was last listed for $32 million.

      One of the living areas 

      Photo: Bernard Andre

      Musk initially listed the 16,000-square-foot home last year for $35 million, a number that would net a significant profit, as he originally paid $23.3 million for the place in 2017, according to property records. It’s been on and off the market in the months following his initial announcement to ditch all owned assets.

      A hallway 

      Photo: Bernard Andre

      The historic residence was originally built circa 1912; it was designed by architecture firm Bliss & Faville. It’s since been renovated to suit contemporary standards—the grand ballroom, dining room and kitchens were all revamped.

      The dining room 

      Photo: Bernard Andre

      It’s a seven-bed, seven-bath parcel altogether, sitting on a spacious, 47-acre lot. In the dining area there’s a “hidden” cocktail room that’s accessible via a retractable wall of library shelves. Other perks include wine and whiskey cellars in the basement, as well as a separate space dedicated to flower arranging. The primary suite, meanwhile, has its own fireplace, two walk-in closets and two full baths—one with a free-standing tub. Outside there’s a pool and a pavilion for entertaining, plus a separate three-car garage.

      The home combines indoor and outdoor living 

      Photo: Bernard Andre

      At the moment, the property is pending a contingent offer, which means that Musk has accepted a buyer’s initial proposal, according to the New York Post. All to say there’s a chance the deal could still fall through, in which case the billionaire’s last big piece of real estate would still be up for grabs.

      The lounge 

      Photo: Bernard Andre

      So where is Musk living now? He tweeted in June that he’s currently residing at a rental worth approximately $50,000 in Boca Chica, near SpaceX’s campus. Talk about living below your means.
      Check out more photos of the San Francisco–area residence below:

      One of the bedrooms 

      Photo: Bernard Andre More

    • 175 Shares189 Views

      in Luxury

      KISS It Goodbye: Gene Simmons Lists His Contemporary Las Vegas Home for $15 Million

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      Earlier this year, KISS rocker Gene Simmons bet big on Las Vegas and dropped $10.8 million on a home there. Now he’s cashing out.

      The musician and his family spent very little time at the luxe digs, according to The Wall Street Journal, because the weather in Sin City was too warm for their liking. So the 11,000-square-foot home is up for grabs once again—yours if you’ve got a spare $15 million.

      It’s a sprawling mansion located in Ascaya, a tony community close to the buzzy Vegas Strip. Visitors enter via the private courtyard and walk through the “floating” pathway, which sits atop a koi pond. Spending time inside isn’t too different from lounging out-of-doors, as many of the living areas have massive glass walls that merge interior and exterior lifestyles.

      The living room 

      Photo: Courtesy of The Ivan Sher Group

      The home has six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, so there’s certainly room for another family to move in here. Naturally, since it’s in such a big party town, there’s entertaining space aplenty too. Downstairs there’s an 11-seat theater, a bar area and a 1,200-gallon saltwater aquarium. The infinity pool outside is another great perk for those who want to bring guests around.

      The kitchen 

      Photo: Courtesy of The Ivan Sher Group

      One of the listing’s most unexpected aspects is its garden. Simmons bought another, smaller piece of land to add on to the nearly-one-acre parcel and quickly had 130 trees added to the area. This all happened over the course of two days, so the next owner won’t have to fuss over landscaping.

      The upper level 

      Photo: Courtesy of The Ivan Sher Group

      Simmons has made quite a few real-estate moves this year. He sold his family home in Benedict Canyon in Los Angeles for $16 million after first asking for $22 million in October and then relisting it at $25 million in April. The rocker also just closed on a different residence in the City of Angels: a contemporary build in Beverly Hills that was last listed with Compass agent Tomer Fridman for $11.5 million.

      The tree garden 

      Photo: Courtesy of The Ivan Sher Group

      Simmons isn’t leaving Vegas forever: KISS is returning for a 12-show residency this December, which will run through February. Ironically, it’s touring that prevented the singer from putting down roots in his Sin City digs in the first place.
      The home is co-listed with Evangelina Duke-Petroni and Ivan Sher of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nevada Properties. Check out more photos below:

      The pool 

      Photo: Courtesy of The Ivan Sher Group

      A lounge area 

      Photo: Courtesy of The Ivan Sher Group

      The deck 

      Photo: Courtesy of The Ivan Sher Group More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Luxury

      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. 

      Photo: Knight Frank More

    • 163 Shares189 Views

      in Luxury

      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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    • 150 Shares169 Views

      in Luxury

      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 

      Scott Everts/Fox/Agency More