Real Estate

Subterms

    More stories

    • 100 Shares149 Views

      in Luxury

      Nigel Lythgoe Is Buying and Selling L.A. Houses

      by

      Nigel Lythoe is swapping homesteads in Los Angeles, having traded in a nearly new Toluca Lake mansion for more seasoned digs in Hollywood Hills that were previously owned through the years by actress Katey Sagal and music director Ricky Minor. 

      After barely a year of ownership, the 74-year-old British TV producer has listed his former abode and subsequently doled out $4.7 million in an off-market deal for the new place, originally offered at $4.9 million.

      The dual real estate transaction sale comes on the heels of Lythgoe’s decision to step down as a judge of the So You Think You Can Dance reality series he co-created in 2005, amid allegations of sexual assault. Through the years, he also has served as an executive producer of the British talent show Pop Idol, as well as American Idol.

      The TV producer’s newly acquired Hollywood Hills home was previously occupied by actress Katey Sagal.

      Google Images

      Built way back in the late 1930s, but since upgraded, Lythgoe’s newly acquired residence is tucked away behind walls and gates amid a secluded cul-de-sac nestled on an almost third-acre parcel, and offers jetliner views of the Hollywood Sign and Santa Monica mountains. Described as a “traditional country home” in the listing, the Tudor-style structure features four bedrooms and six baths spread across 5,700 square feet of living space boasting high wood-beam ceilings throughout.

      An entryway opens into a spacious courtyard bolstered by a bubbling fountain, with interior highlights including a duo of family rooms, as well as a “country-style” kitchen outfitted with a fireplace and an accompanying breakfast nook leading to an al fresco dining space.

      Elsewhere is an office, plus a master retreat with a fireside sitting area; and outdoors, the backyard is carved into a hillside, and hosts a sport court and meandering pathways, plus an infinity-edge pool and spa wrapped by a brick terrace. There’s also an attached two-car garage and additional parking for up to six vehicles, as well as a separate two-story guesthouse that has two bedrooms, two baths and its own kitchen.

      The listing was held by by Rita Benelian of Keller Williams Hollywood Hills, with Lythgoe represented by Kevin Krakower of Douglas Elliman.

      Lythgoe’s Toluca Lake house was completed in 2022.

      Google Images

      As for his other L.A. spot that’s currently on the market for a smidge under $5 million, Lythgoe purchased the modern farmhouse for $4.7 million in January 2023, shortly after it was newly designed and built by Arzuman Brothers.

      Sited in the unincorporated community of Toluca Lake, the gated grounds span less than a quarter-acre and boast a fountain-clad pool and spa, fireside patio, built-in barbecue and an outdoor shower, along with a two-car garage sporting an EV charger.

      Inside, five bedrooms and seven baths can be found in 5,300 square feet of open-concept living space on three levels spotlighted by multiple entertaining areas, including a fully finished basement that comes complete with a movie theater, lounge, gym and guest bedroom.

      The listing is held by Kevin Dees and Sebastian Spader of Carolwood Estates. More

    • 100 Shares99 Views

      in Luxury

      Camille Grammer Quietly Unloads Her Oceanfront Malibu Retreat

      by

      Seems as though Camille Grammer’s Malibu fortunes have dramatically improved. Several years after her other Malibu house burned down—a victim of California’s devastating Woolsey Fire—the former OG cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, who still frequently pops upon the show, has sold a different Malibu house for $9.4 million. That’s significantly more than the $6.6 million she paid for the place about seven years ago.

      Unfortunately, since the deal closed off-market and the house was never publicly offered for sale, photos and details are scant. But dated rental listings and tax records paint a semi-complete picture of the quintessentially SoCal oceanfront residence, which Grammer quickly renovated following her purchase.

      Now partly clad in reclaimed wood planks that provide the three-story contemporary with a beachy, organic edge, the house is entered through a sunken courtyard garden and configured with three roomy bedrooms and three contemporary bathrooms in just over 1,600 square feet.

      Stretching the full width of the house, the combination living/dining room flows easily out through not-quite floor-to-ceiling glass sliders to a huge deck with ship-like ocean and sunset views. A peninsula snack bar divides the dining area from the essentially brand new and fairly utilitarian kitchen that sports Shaker-style cabinets painted a milky and demure white, stone countertops and commercial-grade stainless steel appliances.

      The top floor is devoted entirely to a spacious master suite that offers a fireplace topped by a flatscreen TV, a glass-walled reading nook, a small terrace with impressive coastline views and a marble-floored bathroom with a skylight topped shower. A small, adjoining bonus room could be utilized as a private office, a nursery or a yoga studio. As for the home’s two guest bedrooms, one of them opens to the entry courtyard and the other, on the partially subterranean lowest level, spills out to a partially covered dining and lounging deck with a hot tub, outdoor shower and direct access to the beach.

      Records reveal the spendy new owners of Grammer’s oceanfront getaway are married couple Robert and Jennifer Lopata, he an executive at property management firm LPBM and she the Beverly Hills-bred founder of an educational consultancy firm. As for Grammer herself, she and second husband David C. Meyer still own and reside at their longtime main residence in L.A.’s prestigious Brentwood Park community. More

    • 163 Shares129 Views

      in Vacation Homes

      Second Homes Will Continue to Draw Luxury Buyers Around the World in 2024

      by

      When the pandemic drove up housing prices and mortgage rates, many wealthy Americans jumped on the opportunity to acquire investment properties in less pricey foreign countries and, in some cases, to pack up and move overseas. While we’re only a few weeks into the new year, it appears that the uptick in affluent U.S. citizens heading abroad is continuing full steam ahead.

      According to the 2024 Trend Report, published by the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury program, nearly 40 percent of the survey participants intend on purchasing a home in a foreign country within the next year, and two-thirds said they plan on buying property abroad within the next five years.

      “If lower mortgage rate trends combined with the new inventory momentum continue, luxury homebuyers could be inspired to move forward with their next home purchase,” Michael Altneu, vice president of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury, said in the report. Altneu added that shoppers are prioritizing “new amenities” and are open to exploring “overseas options for their next property.”

      The report also found that location ranks as the top consideration among 45 percent of discerning consumers. About 29 percent of high-net-worth consumers are looking to move to Europe, while 28 percent are eyeing destinations in North America outside of the U.S., and 23 percent are considering the Caribbean.

      High-net-worth home buyers are looking to relocate to Europe and the Caribbean, according to a new report.

      Pexels

      On the flip side, the U.S. will continue to be a place of interest for deep-pocketed international buyers in 2024. Per the Coldwell Banker Trend Report, there was a 25 percent increase in the number of well-heeled foreign buyers purchasing real estate in the top 5 percent of the market in 2023. More specifically, those shoppers are looking to purchase property in bustling metros such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, and Washington, D.C.

      “We are seeing money from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Middle East being ‘parked’ in real estate in California as a holding place for wealth,” said Paul Lester of The Agency Beverly Hills in the firm’s annual Red Paper Wealth Report.

      “Instability in various South American countries continues to make Miami real estate very attractive,” noted Daniel Tzinker of The Agency Miami. “In the past three years, we’ve seen 100+ businesses like Citadel, Amazon, and Tesla move to Miami, taking advantage of the favorable tax environment…world-class restaurants, private clubs, and art galleries have followed.” 

      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, dining, travel and topics…

      Read More More

    • 113 Shares109 Views

      in Luxury

      Shemar Moore Snaps Up an All-New L.A. Contemporary Home

      by

      Though he already owns one Los Angeles home, Shemar Moore has decided to bolster his real estate portfolio with yet another residence. Records show the popular actor—probably most known for his roles on the TV shows Criminal Minds and S.W.A.T.—recently doled out a smidge under $2.5 million for some freshly built modern digs in the San Fernando Valley neighborhood of Valley Village. 

      Tucked away on a site that once held a house dating back to the late 1940s, Moore’s newly acquired property was completed in 2023 and is nestled amid an almost quarter-acre parcel of land. Fronted by walls and gates, and securely protected by alarms and cameras, the mini-compound includes a four-bedroom, five-bath main home and separate one-bedroom, one-bath accessory dwelling unit out back with its own address—for a total of a little more than 3,100 square feet of living space.

      As for the primary quarters, the open-concept main level is highlighted by a spacious living room displaying a striking veined-marble fireplace and an oversized sliding glass door that opens to a pergola. An adjacent dining area connects to the kitchen, which is outfitted with sleek cabinetry, an eat-in island and top-tier stainless appliances.

      Upstairs, the primary bedroom rests beneath a vaulted ceiling, and comes complete with a fireplace, walk-in closet, and spa-inspired bath sporting dual vanities, a freestanding oval soaking tub and glass-encased shower; and outdoors, the grassy backyard hosts a pool and spa flanked by a built-in barbecue station. There’s also a detached two-car garage on the premises.

      An Oakland native with over 4 million followers on Instagram, the 53-year-old former model first rose to popularity as Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless in the ’90s, snagging a Daytime Emmy Award as “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series” in 2000. He went on to portray Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds and Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson on S.W.A.T.; and he’s also appeared in several films, including The Brothers, Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

      In addition to his new Valley Village home, the eight-time NAACP Image Award winner still maintains a 9,000-square-foot spread in nearby Sherman Oaks that he bought for $5.8 million back in 2020.

      The listing was held by Shira Dunn of Compass; Moore was repped by Milla Pariser of Beverly & Co. More

    • 163 Shares199 Views

      in Luxury

      A Real Estate Mogul’s Florida Penthouse Sells to Local Philanthropists for $8 Million

      by

      Some seven months after it first hit the market with a lofty $8.8 million ask, commercial real estate and hospitality investor Robert Rivani has officially sold his swanky penthouse at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach for exactly $8 million.

      Records show the buyers are local philanthropists Scott Hodes and his wife Maria Bechily. The attorney focused on art law and public relations executive doled out $500,000 more than the owner and president of Black Lion Investment Group and his wife Krystal paid for the property back in spring 2022, shortly after relocating the firm from Los Angeles to Miami.

      Sited within The Ritz Carton Residences, Miami—an eight-story, Piero Lissoni-designed luxury condo and villa development currently occupied by Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, as well as MLB Hall of Famer Mike Piazza—the Rivani’s recently sold corner unit has four bedrooms and five baths spread across a little more than 4,500 square feet of living space boasting sleekly designed interiors complemented by high ceilings. Floor-to-ceiling walls of glass and a wraparound balcony also provide sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay.

      A blue statement-making chandelier serves as a focal point of the dining room.

      Become Legendary/Dina Goldentayer

      Highlights include a media room, along with a custom Boffi kitchen outfitted with marble countertops, an eat-in island, top-tier Gaggenau appliances and a walk-in pantry. The spacious living area connects to a dining room topped with a showpiece light fixture, while a jewel box-inspired primary suite features textured velvet details, water views, a walk-in closet, and luxe bath sporting dual vanities, a soaking tub and glass-encased shower.

      Topping it all off are plenty of building amenities—courtesy of a hefty $6,995 monthly HOA charge—which include a concierge, private marina, meditation garden, spa and fitness center, and roof deck with a pool and cabanas.

      Rivani, who recently acquired Amara at Paraiso restaurant and Wynwood Jungle retail plaza, told The Real Deal that he and his wife decided to part ways with the penthouse because they have moved to a seven-bedroom home in Miami. Last summer, they also sold a castle-like Beverly Hills mansion that was previously owned by Carlton Elizabeth (formerly Gebbia) of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for almost $17 million.

      The listing was held by Dina Goldentayer of Douglas Elliman, with Sildy Cervera of Cervera Real Estate representing the Rivanis.

      Click here for more photos of Robert Rivani’s Miami Beach penthouse.

      Become Legendary/Dina Goldentayer More

    • 200 Shares139 Views

      in Luxury

      A Beverly Hills Mansion Custom-Built by Married Fashion Moguls Is Up for Grabs at $47 Million

      by

      Back in the late 1990s, Mel and Susan Geliebter purchased a roughly 3-acre property in the mountains above Beverly Hills for $7.5 million. They subsequently spent millions more building an unabashedly grand and decidedly bespoke Tuscan-style villa on the lot, which lies within the guard-gated Beverly Park enclave. Now, some 17 years after construction wrapped, the fashion industry moguls—who founded and then sold jeans manufacturer RSV Sport to Jones Apparel Group in 2002 for $310 million—are hoisting the custom-built estate on the market for the very first time, asking $47.5 million.

      Completed in 2006, and tucked away behind gates and a circular motorcourt embellished with a tiered fountain, the Robert Sinclair-designed residence has five bedrooms and 11 baths in 17,300 square feet of living space. Per The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the listing, the home also is adorned throughout with ornate details hand-crafted by Italian and English artisans in an homage to the couple’s travels through Europe.

      The great room is spotlighted by a fireplace, built-in bar and French doors spilling out to the grounds.

      Tyler Hogan

      Double doors open into a soaring foyer topped by a sculpted walnut ceiling and displaying a striking curving staircase. From there, a spacious great room has a coffered ceiling, vintage French fireplace and built-in bar, and a 20-seat dining room adorned with hand-painted walls is flanked by a gourmet kitchen outfitted with an oversized eat-in island, top-tier appliances and an accompanying breakfast room.

      Yet other highlights include a wood-paneled office, movie theater and bar/lounge area, plus a sumptuous upstairs master retreat that comes complete with dual sitting rooms, walk-in closets and luxe baths. Three additional guest bedrooms and a library also can be found on the upper floor, while a subterranean level boasts a 3,000-bottle wine cellar, fireside dining room and kitchen.

      The pool house contains a full gym.

      Tyler Hogan

      Outdoors, the picturesque grounds are laced with palm trees and meandering pathways, and host several spots ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining with a fireplace, kitchen, two barbecues and a pizza oven, plus a sundeck-encased swimming pool resting alongside a gym-equipped pool house.

      Rounding it all out is an attached four-car garage, and eye-popping $6,216 monthly HOA dues just for the privilege of calling the exclusive community home.

      The listing is held by Linda May of Carolwood Estates and her colleague Alex Soriano, who is the Geliebters’ granddaughter.

      Click here for more photos of Mel and Susan Geliebter’s Beverly Hills house.

      Tyler Hogan More

    • 138 Shares199 Views

      in Luxury

      Emma Stone’s Charming L.A. Bungalow Hits the Market for $4 Million

      by

      Not only did Emma Stone just garner a Golden Globe win for her performance in the movie Poor Things, but the A-list actress also has decided to lighten her Los Angeles property portfolio.

      Records show Stone—who maintains a permanent residence in the Texas city of Austin—has stuck a nearly $4 million price tag on a relatively humble yet charming Spanish-style bungalow in the Comstock Hills area of Westwood that was long occupied by her mother.

      Though that’s around $1.7 million more than she paid for the place almost five years ago, back in spring 2019, Stone did extensively renovate the premises during her ownership. According to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the listing, she expanded the kitchen, and added a one-bedroom guesthouse with its own kitchen and living room. 

      Described in marketing materials as having “character in all the right places,” the 1920s house features four bedrooms and an equal number of baths in a little more than 3,200 square feet of colorfully hued living space boasting many of the original details, including wood-beam ceilings and wide arched doorways.

      The home’s cozy living spaces are complemented with artwork and pops of color.

      Ryan Lahiff for Sotheby’s International Realty

      A gated driveway is tucked off to the side of the creamy stucco and terracotta-roof structure, which is fronted by a brick walkway that passes through a grassy lawn before emptying out at a sage-green door that opens into the original tiled courtyard. Once inside, an entry foyer displaying a curving iron-railed staircase steps down to a light-filled living room adorned with a fireplace, built-in shelving and French doors leading outside.

      Among the other highlights: a formal dining area, plus a sitting room that connects to an eat-in kitchen outfitted with all-white wood cabinetry, a turquoise-hued range and farmhouse sink; and elsewhere is a primary bedroom hosting a stylish bath equipped with a vanity sporting a sink and dressing area, as well as a vintage clawfoot soaking tub and separate walk-in shower.

      Aside from her for-sale Westwood house and Texas mansion, Stone also maintains a posh New York City apartment. In 2022, she sold a midcentury ranch-style house directly overlooking Malibu’s Las Tunas Beach to David Cooley—longtime owner of The Abbey Food & Bar in West Hollywood—for $4.4 million, or nearly $1.2 million more than The Curse and Cruella star paid for the place back in 2018.

      The listing is held by Eric Lavey of Sotheby’s International Realty–Beverly Hills Brokerage.

      Click here for more photos of Emma Stone’s Los Angeles house.

      Ryan Lahiff for Sotheby’s International Realty More

    • 200 Shares199 Views

      in Luxury

      F1’s Jenson Button Is Putting His Fully Redone SoCal Mansion on the Market for $8 Million

      by

      Jenson and Brittny Button have been quite busy on the real estate front during the past few years, with the former Formula 1 champ and his interior designer wife having purchased, renovated and then sold a trio of homes in Palm Springs and Santa Monica for a net total of $11.4 million. Now the pair have hoisted their latest project on the market, asking just under $8 million for a swanky Los Angeles-area mansion in the mountains between Malibu and Calabasas.

      Per records, the Buttons purchased the Spanish-style residence known as “Casa Encanto” (charming house) in winter 2021 for $3.7 million. The couple—who also have another Palm Springs property known as “The Mesa Bungalows” up for sale at $2.3 million—then embarked upon an extensive remodel spearheaded by Brittny’s own Button Atelier design studio, complete with a newly opened floor plan boasting minimalist fawn, tan, chocolate, cream and white interiors paired with classic fluted columns and tons of natural light.

      “I stuck with a tonal palette to create an airy atmosphere with the remodel,” says Brittny. “The end result is a home that offers a tranquil respite from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.”

      An entrance courtyard is bolstered by a bubbling fountain.

      Jessica Alexander

      Tucked away behind gates and a lengthy driveway, amid a 2.3-acre parcel of land off Mulholland Highway, the creamy stucco and terracotta-roof structure is fronted by a spacious motorcourt and an enclosed fountain-clad courtyard, and framed with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Once inside, six bedrooms and eight baths are spread across a little more than 8,300 square feet of living space on two levels.

      Especially standing out is a lounge and bar area ideal for entertaining. Other highlights include a soaring living room holding a stone fireplace and formal dining room, plus a sleekly designed kitchen outfitted with marble countertops, two islands, top-tier appliances and a fireplace-equipped breakfast nook. Upstairs, the sumptuous master retreat sports a separate fireside sitting area, walk-in closet, and luxe spa-like bath flaunting dual vanities, a freestanding soaking tub and massive shower.

      An attractive stone fireplace serves as a centerpiece of the double-height living room.

      Jessica Alexander

      Heading outdoors, you’ll find grassy park-like grounds dotted with fire features, and hosting a sundeck-encased swimming pool, barbecue setup, and numerous spots perfect for al fresco lounging and entertaining—including an expansive lawn that could be used for large events. There’s also a detached gym and an attached two-car garage out front.

      The listing is held by Jaime Krupnick Geffen of Engel & Völkers, Westlake Village.

      Click here for more photos of Jenson Button’s Calabasas mansion.

      The Luxury Level More