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      Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt Is Selling His Silicon Valley Estate for $24.5 Million

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      For several years now, Eric Schmidt’s ever-growing real estate portfolio has been the talk of several towns—he’s spent hundreds of millions buying up prime properties in locales like Miami, Beverly Hills, New York City and Washington, D.C., just for starters. But now he’s decided to let at least one of his myriad homes go, having put his longtime Northern California compound up for sale.

      The asking price is $24.5 million, or roughly 12 times more than the former CEO and chairman of Google doled out for the property a little more than three decades ago, back in 1990. The listing is held by Katharine Carroll of Compass.

      Completed in the late 1960s, but extensively remodeled during Schmidt’s tenure, the 3.3-acre spread in the affluent Silicon Valley enclave of Atherton includes a main European-inspired mansion and newer guesthouse designed by Schwanke Architecture—for a total of five bedrooms and eight bathrooms in a little more than 5,200 square feet.

      A fireside sunroom opens to the grounds.

      Peter Lyons

      Fronting the residence are two gated driveways that empty out at a trio of motorcourts, including one resting adjacent to a detached three-car garage boasting a lower-level recreation room. Once inside, an entry foyer displaying herringbone-style hardwood floors and a curving iron-railed staircase flows on one side to a living room highlighted by a fireplace and doors spilling out to a terrace, formal dining room, and kitchen outfitted with custom marble countertops, Waterworks fixtures, dual sinks and dishwashers, and a Thermador range. An accompanying breakfast nook lined with a bay window opens to a patio sporting a water feature.

      A sky-lit hallway on the opposite side of the foyer leads to a fireside sitting room, handsome wood-paneled office/study with a full bath and wet bar-equipped family room that connects via a fireplace to a sunroom; and upstairs, an inviting primary bedroom comes complete with access to an expansive private terrace, a dressing room, and luxe bath spotlighted by a soaking tub and marble shower.

      On the grounds is a conservatory-style greenhouse imported from the U.K.

      Peter Lyons

      Especially standing out are the picturesque grounds, which are laced with mature plants and specimen trees, and host a swimming pool and spa, as well as numerous spots ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining. Rounding it all out: a separate building for the security team, along with a charming Amdega Conservatory imported from the United Kingdom that now serves as a greenhouse.

      Besides his Atherton property, Schmidt—whose net worth is currently estimated at $24 billion—also lays claim to a $65 million parcel of undeveloped land in the mountains high above Beverly Hills that was last owned by deceased tech billionaire Paul Allen. He also possesses a historic $15 million mansion in the Georgetown area of Washington, D.C., where Jackie Kennedy once resided, not to mention $114 million worth of island homes in Miami Beach.

      Click here for more photos of Eric Schmidt’s Atherton estate.

      Peter Lyons More

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      A West Hollywood Penthouse Just Sold for $24 Million, One of L.A.’s Biggest Condo Deals in Years

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      8899 Beverly, one of L.A.’s most lavish new residential buildings, has been much in the news lately. Just days ago, actor Matt Damon paid $8.6 million for a two-bedroom pied-a-terre on the building’s fourth floor, one level below the new $9 million condo of Comcast CEO Brian Roberts.

      Now comes word that the development—completed in 2022, designed by prestigious architectural firm Olson Kundig, and reportedly the tallest residential building in West Hollywood—has scored one of SoCal’s highest-priced condo sales in years. On the building’s top floor, the so-called Penthouse East has sold for $24 million, among the most ever paid in a Los Angeles condo complex. The unit, equipped with unobstructed views of the city and mountains, offers four bedrooms and five bathrooms in just under 6,500 square feet of living space.

      Completed in 2022, 8899 Beverly sits in prime West Hollywood, just blocks from Beverly Hills.

      8899 Beverly

      For the record, the highest-priced condo sale in L.A. history was inked nearly 15 years ago, when Candy Spelling paid $35 million for her mansion-sized duplex penthouse at The Century building, though that penthouse sports more than 15,000 square feet of living space.

      People involved with the 8899 Beverly sale declined to disclose the buyer’s identity, but public records indicate the new owner is Tom Coates, a somewhat low-profile San Francisco businessman who is a managing director at Jackson Square Properties, a real estate firm that owns dozens of apartment complexes and mobile home communities in Northern and Southern California.

      Coates’s new residence is a treasure trove of bespoke details, featuring 14-foot ceilings with custom wood paneling and handcrafted design. Floor-to-ceiling imported walls of glass features panels that slide open at the touch of a button, blurring the line between indoors and out. And outside, a 2,000-square-foot wraparound terrace is clad in travertine imported from Italy. The open kitchen flaunts top-of-the-line cabinetry and appliances, and the unit has a separate entrance and “service corridor” for the owner’s staff members and vendors, per the listing.

      Inside, the unit offers open-plan living spaces, extensive wood paneling and unobstructed views.

      8899 Beverly

      The penthouse also includes HOA dues of $11,295 per month, which covers five-star lifestyle services including 24/7 concierge and valet services, a state-of-the-art gym and an outdoor swimming pool, spa, fireplaces and a kitchen. Also on the premises is Stella West Hollywood, a high-end Italian restaurant, and the development is walking distance from dozens of other restaurants and shops, plus a five-minute drive to Beverly Hills.

      The 8899 Beverly development includes 40 lavish condos with prices starting at about $5 million. On the building’s ground floor are also 15 affordable-housing rental residences, with monthly rental fees capped by market rates.

      Michelle Montany and Taaseen Qureshi of The Agency New Development held the listing; Mauricio Umansky of The Agency repped the buyer.

      Click here for more photos of Penthouse East at 8899 Beverly. More

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      Inside a $3.3 Million One-Bedroom Condo in L.A.’s Famed Sierra Towers

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      Sierra Towers, the 31-story condo skyscraper located at the bustling intersection of Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and the Sunset Strip’s western end, has been a favored celebrity haunt since its completion in the 1960s. But while the midcentury modern landmark normally sees little turnover, the building has seen a glut of luxury listings and sales over the past couple of years.

      Courteney Cox recently sold her Sierra Towers perch, as did Sandra Bullock. Katy Perry recently bought a double-wide penthouse, and there are at least four other units currently on the market. The newest of those, an 17th-floor pied-a-terre, popped up for sale just a few days ago.

      Since its inception in the 1960s, Sierra Towers has been an iconic part of L.A.’s skyline and a favored celebrity haunt.

      Evan Ramzi

      Once one of L.A.’s only high-end condo skyscrapers, Sierra Towers has faced strong competition in recent years from a vast array of newer and glitzier buildings. A common criticism of Sierra Towers is that while unit prices and HOA dues are sky-high, residents must make do with the building’s low midcentury ceilings and dated interiors. But this particular condo addresses at least one of those complaints with its all-new, ultra-chic interiors that bring a heaping dash of contemporary flavor to the premises.

      The petite unit’s current owner is Amir Ensani, a prolific investor in high-end L.A. condos and a luxury new development specialist currently spearheading sales at the exclusive Beverly West Residences. Records show Ensani acquired the one-bedroom, 1.5-bath unit back in early 2022, paying about $1.7 million, and subsequently spent much of the past two years giving the interiors a total overhaul. The 1,300-square-foot residence now includes a masterful blend of wood, glass and stone, a sultry combination further enhanced by its magnificent north-facing views.

      Now priced at nearly $3.3 million, the home’s stylish centerpiece is undoubtedly its eat-in kitchen, which flaunts striking marble countertops and backsplash. The large center island has bar seating, and there’s also a more formal dining area with birds-eye views of the Bird Streets neighborhood. Top-of-the-line Miele appliances are seamlessly integrated into warm-toned hardwood cabinetry.

      The primary bathroom is slathered in imported marble, and an oval freestanding tub takes visual center stage.

      Evan Ramzi

      Just off the open living/kitchen area, the cozy bedroom features wood paneling. A showroom closet with custom built-ins and decadent backlighting stands between the marble bathroom, which offers a freestanding tub and roomy shower with a rainfall showerhead. For convenience, the unit is also equipped with a powder room, also marble-swaddled and ideal for guests.

      The lucky new homeowner, whether it’s a well-to-do bachelor, bachelorette or child-free power couple, will enjoy the new and fully integrated sound system and floor-to-ceiling glass Fleetwood doors throughout, which provide panoramic vistas of the Hollywood Hills, the Sunset Strip and occasionally snowcapped San Gabriel Mountains.

      Building amenities include a communal outdoor pool on one of the lower floors, 24/7 concierge, valet parking, private security guards and a state-of-the-art fitness facility, per the listing. For those services—and more—a buyer can expect to cough up a hefty $2,319 per month in HOA dues.

      Tomer Fridman of the Jones Fridman International group at Compass holds the listing.

      Click here for more photos of Amir Ensani’s Sierra Towers condo.

      Evan Ramzi More

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      Martin Short Just Bought a Secluded L.A. Home

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      Though he already owns one Los Angeles home, Martin Short has plumped up his real estate portfolio with yet another residence. Records show the beloved actor, comedian and writer—best known for his work on SCTV and Saturday Night Live, and most recently, Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building—just doled out $2.2 million for some renovated digs in Brentwood’s Upper Mandeville Canyon neighborhood. Originally listed in March for around $2.4 million, Short scored a slight deal on the property.

      Built in the early 1960s and recently given a contemporary makeover, the all-white structure is nestled amid a grassy parcel of land spanning almost three-quarters of an acre. Fronted by a bridge and shared driveway that empties out at an attached two-car garage, as well as a set of steps that stops at a dainty porch before traveling up to the double entry door, the place has four bedrooms and three bathrooms in a little more than 1,800 square feet of split-level living space boasting hardwood floors and wood-beam ceilings throughout, plus sliding glass doors spilling out to several al fresco lounging and entertaining areas.

      Photos are fairly scarce, but on-line listings show a living room anchored by a corner fireplace sporting a marble surround, along with a spacious dining room/workspace that sits adjacent to a kitchen outfitted with newer stainless appliances. A hallway leads to the bedrooms, which include a primary suite boasting a private balcony and spa-inspired bath.

      Outdoors, the private backyard hosts a seated bar, fire-pit conversation area and seasonal waterfall, as well as a freeform swimming pool and spa flanked by a grassy sundeck. There’s also a detached studio apartment with its own kitchenette and bathroom.

      A native of Canada, the 74-year-old actor first gained notoriety for his sketch comedy, including the characters Jiminy Glick and Ed Grimley. Short has since appeared in numerous movies and TV series, including Three Amigos!, Innerspace, Father of the Bride and The Morning Show. He’s also starred in Broadway productions of The Goodbye Girl and Little Me, the latter of which earned him a Tony award for “Best Actor in a Musical.”

      In addition to his just-purchased abode, Short has long owned a primary residence in Pacific Palisades that he paid $1.3 million for way back in 1987. More

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      Exclusive: The Founder of Starz Lists His Manhattan Apartment for $10 Million

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      John J. Sie, the founder and former CEO of Starz Entertainment Group, is ready to turn the channel on his Manhattan home, hoisting his elegantly detailed pre-war cooperative apartment back onto the market for just shy of $10 million. Records show the apartment was first listed in 2022 for $12 million. The stately residence, built in 1937, is nestled on the 30th floor of Hampshire House at 150 Central Park South.

      Sie, who retired from his CEO position in 2005, previously acted as senior vice president of sales and marketing for Showtime. Since stepping down from Starz, he and his wife Anna have turned their focus to philanthropy. Together, the couple has collectively shelled out $34 million to establish the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome at the University of Colorado in honor of their granddaughter. 

      The entrance gallery is embellished with polished marble floors and ornate crown moldings.

      Oleg Davidoff for Corcoran

      The 3,000-square-foot spread comprises three bedrooms and three bathrooms. A private elevator landing leads to an expansive entrance gallery decked out with custom marble floors, delicate light fixtures, and ornate crown moldings. Another of the standout spaces, a wood-paneled wet bar with a picture window overlooking the entirety of Central Park, is at the far end of the foyer and perfectly positioned for entertaining between the living and dining rooms.

      The living room has a carved marble fireplace and a Juliet balcony that juts out over the city, while the dining room, decked out with leaf-patterned crown molding and milk chocolate-colored high-shine lacquer walls, offers up media mogul-worthy park and skyline views. From here, a hidden door opens to the well-equipped galley kitchen, a windowless space with floral wallpaper, high-quality appliances, and black granite counters. 

      A hallway lined with built-in bookshelves leads to the home’s three bedrooms. One of the bedrooms has been outfitted as a library, with beautifully paneled walls and built-in cabinetry, and the primary suite is no less luxe, with a walk-in closet lined with custom wood cabinets and a marble en suite bath with a jacuzzi tub. 

      The formal dining room offers up views bird’s eye views over all of Central Park.

      Oleg Davidoff for Corcoran

      “With its blend of old-world charm and modern comforts, this exceptional residence offers a truly unparalleled living experience amidst the captivating backdrop of Central Park and the city skyline,” notes the listing, which is jointly handled by Catherine Juracich, Thomas Ventura, and Karena Cameron at Corcoran. 

      Equidistant between Berdorf Goodman’s and Columbus Circle and capped by a distinctive copper roof, The Hampshire House was originally built as a posh residential hotel. The lavishly appointed interior spaces were done up by the legendary decorator Dorothy Draper, who, according to Architectural Digest, eventually bought a duplex in the building. Among the building’s many other notable residents and guests are Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, Vladimir Nabokov, Art Garfunkel, Frank Sinatra, and Marilyn Monroe.

      Click here for more photos of John J. Sie’s New York City apartment.

      Oleg Davidoff for Corcoran

      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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      ‘For All Mankind’ Creator Matt Wolpert Picks Up Historic Pasadena Home for $4.6 Million

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      Veteran Hollywood producer Matt Wolpert has picked up the keys to a new Los Angeles residence. Records show the co-creator of Apple TV+’s Emmy-winning alt-universe space race drama For All Mankind—which not only was just renewed for a fifth season, but is expanding with the spinoff series Star City—has paid $4.6 million for a Spanish Colonial Revival-style home in a prime pocket of Pasadena that was last sold for a mere $815,000 nearly three decades ago, back in spring 1996.

      Built in the early 1930s by Donald F. Harrison at a reported cost of $20,000, and designed by noted architects Sylvanus Martson and Edgar Maybury, the two-story solid concrete and terracotta-roof structure is nestled amid a heavily wooded parcel of walled and gated land spanning almost three-quarters of an acre. Inside, five bedrooms and six baths are filtered across a little more than 4,400 square feet of meticulously maintained living space adorned throughout with parquet wood floors, wood-beam ceilings, archways and Venetian plaster walls.

      A living room in the home’s east wing is anchored by a regal Batchelder fireplace.

      Cameron Carothers

      Among the main-level highlights: a tiled central entry foyer that flows to a living area sporting a Batchelder fireplace and double-flanked doors spilling outside. A formal dining room bathed in a yellow shade rests beneath a coved ceiling and comes complete with French doors opening to an expansive front courtyard, while the adjacent kitchen is outfitted with newer stainless appliances, a butler’s pantry and an accompanying breakfast room. An office also can be found on this floor.

      The upper level holds two separate wings—one containing a primary suite displaying a fireplace, private patio, “ample closets,” dual bathrooms and an additional bedroom that could easily serve as an office space, and another with a pair of bedrooms, full bathroom, fireplace and patio. Per the listing, a spacious basement allows for an extensive wine cellar or gym.

      A side loggia abuts the fountain-clad swimming pool.

      Cameron Carothers

      Outdoors, the park-like grounds are laced with mature oak, acacia and palm trees, and host a loggia that flows out to a fountain-clad swimming pool, plus numerous spots ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining. There’s also a large motorcourt and detached three-car garage on the premises.

      Wolpert previously worked with his writing and producing partner Ben Nedivi on the first three seasons of the FX anthology series Fargo, and the network’s limited series  American Crime Story:The People Vs. O.J. Simpson, as well as the Netflix show The Umbrella Academy. In addition to his newly acquired Pasadena home, he also maintains another 1930s-era residence in the Tujunga neighborhood north of L.A. that he paid $1.2 million for back in 2018.

      The listing was held by George Penner of Compass; Juan Longfellow and Louise Leach of Compass repped the buyer.

      Click here for more photos of Matt Wolpert’s Pasadena house.

      Cameron Carothers More

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      Cher’s Revamped Former Beverly Hills Home Hits the Market for $4.1 Million

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      Do you believe in life after close? 

      Back in 2013, Cher paid just over $2.1 million for a secluded Beverly Hills home that had previously been owned by another Hollywood heavy hitter, Modern Family’s Ed O’Neill. Five years later, the enduring show business superpower put the home back on the market for $2.5 million and, according to tax records, sold it for a bit less than what she paid. The two-time celebrity hideaway has since been comprehensively updated and is now back up for grabs with a price tag of $4.1 million. Aneela Zaman and Ernie Carswell with Douglas Elliman hold the listing.

      The two-story home, set on half an acre at the end of a cul-de-sac in a wee glen in the Coldwater Canyon area, was built in 1957. Alongside key features like rustic wood beam ceilings and bay windows, there are four bedrooms and three bathrooms spread out over 3,089 square feet of living space. There are at least three fireplaces throughout the home, which certainly enhances its appeal. But the real selling point might be the quiet gardens that make up its tranquil setting.

      The living room with a wood-burning fireplace and French doors.

      Jeremy Spann

      When the “Strong Enough” singer owned the 90210 pad, its façade somewhat mirrored a French country house with red brick accents across its beige stucco exterior. Following its revamp, a monochromatic olive green now covers those contrasting materials, giving it a more streamlined look. The lighter, wheat-colored wood floors that replaced darker oak floorboards inside the home are the first thing you might notice from the front door, other than the minimalist fireplace in the combination living and dining room. French doors on either side of the fireplace lead to a tree-shaded brick terrace, where the aforementioned gargoyle fountain is located.

      The kitchen is open to the living/dining room over a breakfast bar. It features a small breakfast nook alongside a high-end gas range and a Sub-Zero refrigerator. An office and the den with a wet bar, plus outdoor access, are other highlights of the home’s main floor.

      The spacious primary suite has not just one but two fireplaces.

      Jeremy Spann

      The primary suite is remarkably spacious and airy, thanks to its captivating vaulted ceiling and bay windows that frame leafy views. A haven unto itself, there are two fireplaces, a wet bar, a walk-in closet fitted with dark wood cabinetry, and a travertine-tiled bath with a double shower and a soaking tub.

      Enveloped in towering trees, the home’s various patios and decks are complemented by a faux-grassed area set in a sunny clearing with a waterfall that pours over a tumble of boulders into a small pond. And when you’re ready to brave the traffic, the canyon hideaway is within easy proximity to L.A. hotspots like the Chateau Marmot, LACMA, and the Michelin-starred Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura. 

      Cher’s primary residence has long been a grand Italian Renaissance-style mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Malibu. The “Goddess of Pop” has the property up for sale for $75 million after first giving it a go at $85 million.

      Click here for more images of Cher’s former Beverly Hills home.

      Jeremy Spann

      Authors

      Demetrius Simms

      Demetrius Simms is a digital staff writer at Robb Report. After starting their career in PR, they transitioned to freelance writing in 2020. Their work has now appeared in lifestyle and culture…

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      After Two Years, Sofia Vergara Finally Unloads Her $13 Million Beverly Hills Estate

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      After a long slog on the market, Sofia Vergara has finally succeeded in unloading her Beverly Hills white elephant. First listed in June 2022 with a nearly $20 million asking price, the 11,000-square-foot Mediterranean villa-style manor eventually saw its price tag slashed all the way down to $14 million. The new owners, who closed on the house yesterday, paid an even lower $13.7 million.

      For the moment, the discount-minded buyers remain nameless, but they are reportedly not famous. And of course, it is worth noting that $13.7 million is still a very large sum of money—and a hefty $3.1 million more than what Vergara herself paid for the house a decade ago.

      Though hidden behind gates and an enormous front hedge, Vergara’s just-sold home actually sits quite near to a fairly busy street in the Benedict Canyon area.

      Google Earth

      During her 10 years of ownership, Vergara gave the 2006-built structure a contemporary interior makeover overseen by designer Jennifer Bevan. Hidden behind gates and a notably overgrown hedge, the creamy beige house is described in the listing as  “refined and romantic,” and features seven bedrooms, all of them outfitted with ensuite full bathrooms.

      Inside, highlights include a double-height foyer displaying a striking curving staircase, which flows to formal living and dining rooms. The family room has French doors opening to the outside, and adjoins a sleekly designed gourmet kitchen outfitted with a large center island, high-end Viking appliances and a breakfast nook.

      The bedrooms include an upper-level primary retreat sporting dual closets and spa-inspired baths, while the lower level is primed for entertaining with a substantial wet bar, a 3,000-bottle wine cellar and tasting room, a 10-seat movie theater and a gym with its own sauna. Outdoors, the steeply sloped backyard isn’t especially huge, but it does contain a lovely grassy lawn, privacy hedges and mature trees. There’s also a swimming pool and several areas dedicated to al fresco lounging and dining.

      Vergara, who shared this house with former husband Joe Manganiello, long ago moved to a 17,000-square-foot mansion just up the hill, in the guard-gated community of Beverly Park. She acquired that place—essentially a much larger and grander version of this house—back in 2020, paying $26 million.

      The Colombian-born actress and model—probably best known for her 11-season run as Gloria on the TV series Modern Family—ranked as the highest-paid television actress for many years. Today, her personal net worth stands at a reported $180 million. More