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      in Luxury

      Ariana Grande Sells Hollywood Hills Hideaway at a Loss to Bad Bunny

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      Last year, Ariana Grande spent nearly $5 million to buy a secluded Hollywood Hills house from Cameron Diaz. So it’s not entirely surprising that the frequent real estate buyer and seller has now opted to unload her other hillside home, this one a cottage-sized structure in the trendy Bird Streets neighborhood, located roughly 1.5 miles due west of her new place.

      Though it was never on the market, records reveal the Bird Streets place sold for $8.3 million to Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, the Puerto Rican rapper better known to his millions of worldwide fans as Bad Bunny. Unfortunately for Grande, that sales price is significantly less than the $8.9 million she paid for the very private house less than two years ago, back in early 2021. When coupled with L.A.’s controversial new mansion tax and other inevitable closing costs, it’s clear that the 30-year-old Florida native lost more than $1 million on her short ownership of the 0.74-acre property.

      Because the deal was finalized off-market and the house never publicly offered for sale, details and photos are few. But tax records confirm the property consists of three contiguous parcels of land that cling to a steep hillside, with vertigo-inducing vistas. The only structure on the lot is a low-slung cottage that was built in 1946 and spans less than 1,600 square feet of living space, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

      Built in the 1940s, the humble ranch-style house was extensively renovated in 2020.

      Google Earth

      We do know, however, that the cottage was extensively renovated circa 2020, and now sports a lovely sort of rustic-meets-contemporary sort of style. There’s also a very large outdoor patio, plus a two-car attached garage and a dark-bottom swimming pool.

      Indisputably the home’s most unique feature is its ultra-private setting, as it sits behind an extraordinarily long gated driveway. The entire property is invisible from the public road behind tall hedges and trees, although from its hillside perch the house has great views over the bustling Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, and beyond.

      In addition to his new Bird Streets pied-à-terre, Bad Bunny also maintains a significantly larger estate elsewhere in the Hollywood Hills, acquired just last year for nearly $9 million. While we don’t know whether the 29-year-old music superstar intends to keep or sell that place, he can certainly afford to maintain both properties. In 2022, his touring efforts grossed $230 million, and he also had the bestselling album globally, exceeding competition from Beyoncé, Drake and BTS. More

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      in Luxury

      Maria Sharapova Scores an $11 Million Montecito Estate

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      Last fall, noted Chicago philanthropist Ann Lurie put her longtime vacation home in California‘s famously posh seaside neighborhood of Montecito on the market, asking just under $13 million. Records now reveal the property has quietly sold for $11.5 million in an all-cash deal, and the spendy buyer is retired tennis superstar Maria Sharapova.

      Lurie, the widow of real estate titan and former Chicago White Sox and Bulls part owner Robert H. Lurie, acquired the stunningly lavish Montecito hideaway in the mid-2000s, paying about $8.3 million. Since then, it’s clear the house and its extensive grounds have been exquisitely and painstakingly maintained.

      Reportedly designed by noted architect Lockwood de Forest Jr. and completed circa 1949, the five-bedroom main house is surrounded by 3.3 acres of lush lawns and terraced gardens shaded by mature specimen trees. Walled and gated, the impressive estate lies high in the foothills above downtown Montecito, at the very end of a quiet and secluded cul-de-sac. The property also happens to sit directly next door to an even larger compound owned by Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom.

      Though it has been modified and expanded over the years, the home’s rustic, wood-trimmed interiors still hark back to its midcentury roots.

      VirTour Media

      Best described as an ultra-refined and elegant take on a rustic cabin in the woods, Sharapova’s new home is filled with natural light, thanks to soaring walls of glass that blur the line between indoors and out. Sunlight also filters in through the skylit-topped entry foyer, which connects to a living room equipped with one of the largest brick fireplaces we’ve ever seen.

      Radically overhauled in recent years, the open kitchen offers commercial-grade appliances and a slim island hewn entirely from rustic hardwood. There’s also a separate and full outdoor kitchen tucked under a loggia and equipped with sleek stainless appliances, which we would guess were installed during Lurie’s ownership.

      Other property highlights include a resort-worthy master suite outfitted with a fireplace, a stainless steel-shelled soaking tub and vanishing walls of glass that provide direct access to a covered terrace with pool and ocean views. Speaking of the property’s current pool, it was installed during Lurie’s ownership and is stunning in all its sail-shaped, visually dramatic glory. Also on tap out back are a fully detached guesthouse with its own full kitchen and lounge area, plus a sunken fire-it seating area and a detached three-car garage.

      Sharapova, 36, still maintains a $9 million compound in the Santa Barbara County community of Summerland. But for many years, her main residence has been a heavily customized contemporary home in the affluent city of Manhattan Beach. More

    • 163 Shares119 Views

      in Vacation Homes

      This 430-Acre Private Island in The Bahamas Can Be Yours for $45 Million

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      Royal Island, a swanky Caribbean oasis in The Bahamas, awaits its next king or queen and their lucky retinue of family and friends.

      Less than a 20-minute boat ride from the picturesque North Eleuthera, famous for its pink sand beaches, the 430-acre private island is asking for a whopping $45 million, The Daily Mail reported. However, you can’t really put a price on paradise, can you?

      Altogether, the palatial spread has five residences, a private gym, a yoga center, a spa, and a large oval-shaped swimming pool. The turnkey property also comes with its furnishings, so essentially all you have to do is wire the purchase funds and pack your toothbrush.

      In 2021, Royal Island appeared in season one of the travel-centric Netflix series The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals, hosted by Megan Batoon, Jo Franco, and Million Dollar Listing New York star Luis D. Ortiz. Awarded as one of the top resorts on the planet by Condé Nast Traveler, the idyllic private island was bookable earlier this year for a hefty $18,500 per night, Forbes reported.

      At the heart of the Caribbean compound is an oval-shaped swimming pool.

      J. Christie & Vladi Private Islands

      Surrounded by nothing but crystal-clear turquoise waters, the secluded island makes for the perfect party pad and can host up to 18 people at once.

      Royal Island will accommodate 18 guests among its five one-bedroom beachfront villas and separate guest house. Each of the tropical-inspired bungalows is nestled among the lush greenery and sports vaulted ceilings, an en suite bathroom, and a spacious wraparound deck for languidly gazing out toward the ocean.

      Accommodations on the 430-acre island include five waterfront villas.

      J. Christie & Vladi Private Islands

      “Royal Island, as set up currently, is excellent for private gatherings,” notes the listing, which is held by Vladi Private Islands. A perfect party pad for hosting friends and family, the secluded island has its own bar and restaurant within the grounds. 

      There are plenty of ways to keep busy during the day, but, naturally, the highlights of the property are the water sports. Think everything from snorkeling to paddleboarding, jet skiing, and kayaking.

      Of course, if you’re looking to create an even more epic escape, the island getaway was granted preemptive approval in 2007 for additional development, including an expansive marina. There are also plans for an 18-hole waterfront golf course; however, the sky is really the limit here. And if you’re ever worried about feeling too isolated, rest assured you’re approximately 40 miles northeast of Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas.

      Click here to see all the photos of Royal Island. 

      J. Christie & Vladi Private Islands

      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…

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    • 50 Shares149 Views

      in Vacation Homes

      Royal Island in Photos

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      Published on January 11, 2024

      J. Christie & Vladi Private Islands

      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

    • 163 Shares199 Views

      in Luxury

      Pentatonix’s Scott Hoying Shells Out $4 Million for an All-New L.A. Contemporary Home

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      Grammy-winning a cappella group Pentatonix has come along way over the past decade. Since the band won the third season of NBC’s “The Sing-Off” in 2011, they’ve released multiple EPs and full-length albums, done tribute performances on several award shows, and went viral after their Jolene collaboration with Dolly Parton on Jolene was shown on The Voice. That collab also won Pentatonix their third Grammy trophy.

      Pentatonix’s baritone Scott Hoying married Mark Manio in a lavish Santa Barbara extravaganza six months ago, and now the 32-year-old Texas native—he was born and raised in Arlington before moving to California in his late teens to attend the University of Southern California—has found residential bliss in the form of buying a nearly $4 million home in Encino, a suburban and celebrity-loved neighborhood in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley.

      Built new in 2023 on speculation, the two-story house is styled in a trendy modern farmhouse-meets-contemporary sort of architectural style. Blocky and hard-edged on the outside, the 4,300-square-foot structure gets soft and neutral on the inside, with European white oak hardwood floors, abundant natural light and brass fixtures found throughout.

      Set behind walls and gates, the property’s petite front yard is shaded by a mature olive tree. Behind the custom front door lies a long hallway that runs the full length of the home, helping to marry the kitchen with the open dining, living and family areas. Premium Wolf appliances and travertine imported from Italy give the kitchen a Euro-chic look, and foldaway glass pocket doors allow for easy catering to the al fresco dining area.

      Per the listing, there are five bedrooms in the main house, all of them equipped with ensuite full baths and all but one situated on the home’s upper level. The 6,700-square-foot lot also offers a fully permitted and detached ADU (additional dwelling unit) currently configured as a guesthouse. In between the two buildings is a cozy, courtyard-style backyard equipped with an AstroTurf lawn and a compact plunge pool, plus the aforementioned outdoor dining space.

      As far as we know, this is the second house ever purchased by Hoying, who back in 2018 forked out $2.5 million for a sleekly contemporary house just minutes from Hollywood’s Universal Studios. Per online listings, that property is currently for sale, asking $2.6 million, and recently entered escrow with an as-yet-unknown buyer. More

    • 175 Shares169 Views

      in Luxury

      Charlie Puth is Asking $17 Million for His Rex Lotery-Designed House in Beverly Hills

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      Charlie Puth’s private lair could be just one call away! But only if you’re willing to fork over a fairly substantial chunk of change for the Grammy-nominated musician’s longtime residence that just popped up for sale in the exclusive Trousdale Estates neighborhood of Beverly Hills.

      The 32-year-old New Jersey native—who is currently engaged to his childhood friend Brooke Sansone—is asking just under $17 million for the modernist spread, or around $8 million more than he paid for the place a little over six years ago, back in winter 2017.

      Built and designed in the mid-1960s by noted architect Rex Lotery—and widely known as “The de Cordova House,” for its previous owners Freddie de Cordova, a longtime producer of The Tonight Show when it was hosted by Johnny Carson, and his socialite wife Janet—the recently renovated digs offer four bedrooms and five baths filtered across 4,800 square feet of split-level living space boasting terrazzo-clad rooms flowing out to courtyards offering canyon and city lights views.

      Nestled on a ridge amid roughly a half-acre of land, the stone, concrete, glass and wood structure is secluded behind gates and high hedges, and fronted by a spacious motorcourt that can accommodate up to nine vehicles. Massive double front doors open into a foyer displaying a striking floating staircase and steps descending to a soaring living room lined with built-in shelving and walls of glass.

      Other main-level highlights include a cozy sitting area warmed by a fireplace and dining room topped with a sculptural chandelier, as well as a gourmet kitchen outfitted with wood cabinetry, marble countertops, an eat-in island, commercial-grade appliances and a hidden refrigerator. Upstairs, the primary bedroom has a spa-inspired bath equipped with dual vanities, a soaking tub, steam shower and sauna; and outdoors, the landscaped grounds come complete with a swimming pool resting alongside a sundeck, fire-pit, and several spots ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining.

      Puth first gained mainstream attention at age 18 with YouTube videos featuring tunes such as Someone Like You. He went on to release his debut album Nine Track Mind in 2016, with it peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. His hit singles include One Call Away, Marvin Gaye, We Don’t Talk Anymore and the Furious 7 theme song See You Again, which spent 12 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, earned him three Grammy nods, a Golden Globe nomination and 9x-platinum certification in the U.S.

      In addition to his for-sale Beverly Hills home, which is being shown only to prequalified clients by Kurt Rappaport of Westside Estate Agency, Puth also owns properties in Studio City and Santa Barbara. More

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      in Luxury

      NBA Star Rui Hachimura Nets an All-New Los Angeles Farmhouse

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      Riding high off a recently inked three-year, $51 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, Rui Hachimura has invested some of that cash into a modern farmhouse-style residence in a prime section of Encino.

      Originally listed for a speck under $7.5 million, records show the all-new property went for a discounted $7.2 million to the history-making forward—the first-ever Japanese-born player selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, taken with the No. 9 overall pick by the Washington Wizards in 2019.

      Completed this year, the two-story home features six bedrooms and seven baths spread across almost 7,350 square feet of living space adorned throughout with brushed natural stone, carbon cold-rolled steel, white oak, Douglas fir, Ceppo di Gré limestone, gunmetal finishes and reeded glass. Glass doors offer seamless indoor-outdoor environs, and amenities include a movie theater and gym.

      Hachimura’s recently acquired residence sits at the end of a cul-de-sac, amid a walled and gated parcel spanning a third of an acre, with a driveway tucked off to the side of the two-tone gray and charcoal structure emptying out at an attached three-car garage boasting sleek black doors. From there, the front door opens into an entry hallway that flows to an office with built-in shelving on one side and a living room that spills out to an enclosed patio sporting a fire-pit on the other.

      Additional main-level highlights include a wet bar-equipped dining room and spacious family room anchored by a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, plus access to not one but two outdoor spaces that are ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining. An adjoining gourmet kitchen is outfitted with two islands, top-tier appliances and a butler’s pantry.

      A floating glass staircase heads upstairs, where a fireside master retreat comes complete with a balcony, walk-in closet, and spa-inspired bath decked out with dual vanities, a soaking tub and an oversized double shower; and outdoors, the private backyard is laced with olive and Italian cypress trees, and hosts a pool and spa flanked by a sundeck, kitchen and barbecue setup, and fireside lounge area. There’s also a fully permitted accessory dwelling unit with its own kitchenette and living area.

      The 25-year-old native of Toyama, Japan, was traded to the Lakers in early 2023. Previously a restricted free agent, the forward’s current contract with the team earns him an average annual salary of around $17 million. He’s also known for having appeared on the hit Tokyo reality show Terrace House.

      The listing was held by Adi Livyatan of Rodeo Realty and Sally Forster Jones of Compass; Michael Henderson of Compass repped Hachimura. More

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      in Luxury

      A Guess Cofounder Is Seeking a Stitch Under $40 Million for His Stylish Beverly Hills Ensemble

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      It’s been barely a year since Maurice Marciano traded in a modern Paul McClean-designed home in the posh Beverly Hills enclave of Trousdale Estates for an updated residence sited less than a mile away. Now the retired jeans mogul—best known for cofounding the iconic Guess clothing brand with his brothers Paul. Armand and Georges back in the early 1980s—is already returning the sleek contemporary back to the market with a $4 million bump in price, asking $39.5 million.

      Records show Marciano paid Westside Estate Agency broker Fred Bernstein $35.5 million in fall 2022 for the ranch-style digs, which were previously owned by film producer/software heiress Megan Ellison, the daughter of billionaire Larry Ellison. Before that, the place was occupied by Lynne Wasserman, the only child of the late Hollywood legend Lew Wasserman, and the mother to media heir and businessman Casey Wasserman.

      This bespoke residence has walls of steel and glass that disappear at the touch of a button.

      Mark Singer

      Originally built in the mid-1950s, but recently extensively remodeled and expanded, the five-bedroom, eight-bath structure rests on a gated parcel spanning almost three-quarters of an acre, between the Beverly Hills Flats and Trousdale Estates neighborhoods, and is fronted by a five-car garage and spacious cobblestone motorcourt. A “floating” entryway leads to the glassy front door, which opens into a palatial 9,300 square feet of living space adorned throughout with hand-combed limestone, plaster walls, custom white oak millwork, skylights, rare marbles, and automated steel and glass walls providing seamless indoor-outdoor environs.

      Especially standing out is a plush media room displaying cashmere walls, as well as a silk-clad dining room featuring a wine display. Other highlights include a gourmet kitchen outfitted with dual marble islands, top-tier stainless appliances and an adjoining breakfast nook, plus a gym and fireplace-equipped library sporting built-in bookshelves.

      A gourmet kitchen comes complete with two marble islands and high-end stainless appliances.

      Mark Singer

      All of the bedrooms are of the en-suite variety, and include a sizable master retreat boasting a sitting area, walk-in closet, and luxe bath decked out with dual vanities, a soaking tub and glass-encased shower; and outdoors, a sprawling grassy lawn hosts a pool and spa, and several spots ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining—one accented by a towering fireplace.

      Now in his 70s, Marciano has held several senior executive roles at Guess during the past 40 years, most notably as CEO and chairman. He retired as an executive officer at the end of January 2012 and was replaced as non-executive chairman of the board in 2020 after a biking accident, and in September 2023, he stepped down as a board member shortly after the company agreed to pay roughly $30 million following a shareholder lawsuit claiming the clothing brand “turned a blind eye to sexual harassment.”

      In the backyard, a fireside lounge area flanks the pool and spa.

      Mark Singer

      In addition to his for-sale Beverly Hills property, Marciano also has long owned a six-bedroom, seven-bath home in the Park City area of Utah that was recently listed for $6.9 million but has since been removed from the market, along with a Napa Valley winery in Saint Helena. He sold his other Trousdale Estates abode to French-born model Chantal Leduc, the ex-wife of business magnate Stephen Cloobeck, for $25.4 million in winter 2022.

      The listing is held by Kurt Rappaport of Westside Estate Agency and Branden Williams of The Beverly Hills Estates.

      Click here for more photos of Maurice Marciano’s Beverly Hills house.

      Mark Singer More