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      ‘Avatar’ Actress Zoe Saldana Is Seeking $16 Million for Her Beverly Hills Home

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      After a little more than seven years of ownership, Zoe Saldana has put her traditional tennis court property in Beverly Hills up for sale. As first reported by The Wall Street Journal, the veteran film actress—probably best known for her roles in Star Trek, Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy—is asking $16.5 million for the place she picked up from model/entrepreneur Kimora Lee Simmons for $8.7 million back in spring 2016.

      Tucked away on a gated and hedged parcel spanning over a half-acre, in the guarded Hidden Valley Estates community where other residences include Adele, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz, the three-story structure was originally built in 1974. Since remodeled, it features five bedrooms and seven baths in 6,400 square feet of living space boasting hardwood floors, imported polished stone finishes and designer lighting throughout.

      Steps pass through a manicured yard before emptying out at a columned front porch and yellow-hued door, which opens into a double-height entry foyer displaying a curving staircase. From there, highlights include a formal dining room surrounded by wainscoted walls, fireside living room adorned with steel-and-glass cabinetry and wood-clad family room, plus a bespoke kitchen outfitted with an eat-in island, top-tier appliances and a separate breakfast room. 

      A wood-paneled family room has French doors spilling out to a terrace.

      Jeremy Spann

      A spacious upstairs master retreat sports a fireplace, sitting area and dual closets, as well as a marble bath spotlighted by a large oval soaking tub; and elsewhere is a media room, lounge area and gym, along with grassy grounds hosting a pool and spa, an al fresco dining area with a barbecue and kitchen setup, and a lighted tennis court. There’s also a two-car garage on the premises.

      The property, also available for lease at $47,500 per month, is listed by Brett Lawyer of Carolwood Estates.

      Click here for more photos of Zoe Saldana’s Beverly Hills house.

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      The ‘God Is a Bullet’ Producer Is Selling His All-New East Coast Traditional House in L.A.

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      Back in spring 2020, Michael Mendelsohn doled out $1.7 million for an early 1900s residence in Los Angeles. He then took it down to the studs, and spent the next three years completely remodeling and expanding the place.

      Now the Tinseltown producer—probably best known for the movies Reservoir Dogs, Lord of War, Cut Throat City, and most recently, God is a Bullet starring Jamie Foxx—has decided to try his hand at selling the newly reborn East Coast Traditional-style digs in Hollywood Hills with a significant jump in price, asking a speck under $4.3 million.

      Tucked away behind walls and gates, on less than a quarter-acre parcel within walking distance of Runyon Canyon, the wood-sided structure features a little more than 3,500 square feet of modern living space on two levels accented throughout with marble finishes and herringbone wood floors.

      Per the listing, held by Angel Kou of The Agency and Taryn Keyser of Compass, there’s also a separate guesthouse with its own living area, kitchen and bath that could easily serve as an office or a studio.

      A gourmet kitchen connects to a fireside family room, which has glass doors opening to a terrace.

      Especially standing out on the main level is a gourmet kitchen decked out with an eat-in island, top-tier Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, and a walk-in pantry. An adjoining family room displays a fireplace flanked by built-in shelving, along with glass doors spilling out to a covered terrace ideal for al fresco entertaining with a built-in barbecue. Elsewhere is a living room boasting a brick fireplace, an office space and a chandelier-topped dining room.

      Five bedrooms include an upstairs master retreat outfitted with a fireplace, private balcony and walk-in closet, plus a luxe bath equipped with dual vanities, a freestanding soaking tub and glass-encased shower. Outdoors, the secluded backyard hosts a herb garden, as well as a sparkling pool and spa lined with waterfalls on one side and a sundeck on the other.

      Click here for more photos of Michael Mendelsohn’s Hollywood Hills house.

      The Luxury Level More

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      Lionel Messi Just Scored a Chic Waterfront Mansion in South Florida

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      Lionel Messi continues to claim his South Florida turf! Not only does the professional footballer already own at least three multimillion-dollar condos in the Miami suburb of Sunny Isles Beach, but now he’s acquired a modern waterfront mansion in Fort Lauderdale’s affluent and guard-gated Bay Colony community.

      The latest splurge comes amid the signing of Messi’s new two-and-a-half-year, $150 million contract with MLS club Inter Miami CF, which is partly owned by David Beckham. The 36-year-old forward—a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, a trophy given annually to the world’s best player—is coming off a stellar 17-year run with FC Barcelona and two-year stint with Paris Saint-Germaine FC, and he also led his native Argentina to an exciting 4-2 victory against France in the 2022 World Cup last December.

      As first reported by The Real Deal, the soccer star and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo doled out $10.75 million in an off-market deal for a luxe two-story home just minutes away from Inter Miami’s Drive Pink Stadium and the team’s adjacent training facility in Fort Lauderdale. Messi was repped in the deal by Samuel Simpkin and Donna Simpkin of Team Simpkin at Compass.

      Built in 1988, and last sold to John and Stacy Dickerson for $9 million in May 2022, the property features eight bedrooms and 10 baths in over 10,500 square feet of living space. Described in an older listing as a “carefully curated modern waterfront estate,” the two-story structure includes walls of glass that open to a sparkling pool with a waterfall, Baja shelf and spa, as well as a pair of docks resting along 170 feet of waterfront footage on the Intracoastal Waterway.

      The home’s Lori Morris-designed interiors are punctuated throughout with a classic black and white palette enhanced with pops of metal and jewel tones for warmth.

      Brandon Barre

      Nestled amid a cul-de-sac, on a nearly half-acre parcel laced with palms, the stucco and wood-trimmed structure greets with a spacious motorcourt flanked by an attached three-car garage. An entryway featuring double front doors opens into sleek Lori Morris-designed interiors punctuated throughout with a classic black and white palette flaunting porcelain tile floors, plus pops of metal and jewel tones to add warmth.

      Among the highlights: a striking foyer topped by a cascading Murano glass and gold light fixture, which flows to a sunken living area boasting black velvet channel wall panels. Adjacent is an Italian kitchen adorned with an eat-in island that seats six, top-tier appliances and an accompanying breakfast nook lined with windows.

      Elsewhere is a cozy family room with a custom built-in day bed and sofa with matching wall panels covered in charcoal velvet, fitness/spa room, and an executive office with walls bathed in black and brown striated wallpaper; and there’s also a 1,600-square-foot master retreat sporting “gold dripping wallpaper,” a sitting area, private balcony, and spa-inspired bath decked out with dual vanities, a makeup area and walk-in steam shower.

      As for Messi’s other Sunny Isles Beach properties, records show he owns at least two units valued at a combined $10.3 million within the 60-story Porsche Design Tower, along with a $7.4 million full-floor condo at the Regalia building. He also reportedly purchased a place in the Bentley Residences building, which is set to be completed in 2026.

      Click here for more photos of Lionel Messi’s South Florida house.

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      Simon Cowell’s Former Beverly Hills Estate Sells for Nearly $34 Million

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      Back in summer 2020, near the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Simon Cowell sold his longtime Beverly Hills main residence for exactly $25 million. Three years later, the nearly 1-acre property has made real estate waves once again, transferring in another off-market deal for a whopping $33.6 million — one of the priciest deals ever closed south of Sunset Boulevard, in the so-called Beverly Hills Flats neighborhood. The latest transaction was first reported by The Real Deal.

      The unapologetically lavish property, which boasts a sublime location on the best block of a prestigious street, was acquired by Cowell way back in 2004 for just $8 million. The all-around mogul subsequently spent five years — and undoubtedly many millions of dollars — transforming the place into a high-tech fortress packed with custom amenities, including a wellness center and a million-dollar security system.

      Cowell sold the property in 2020 by Alon Abady, a Beverly Hills local who is managing partner at Waterfall Bridge Capital, a commercial and residential real estate investment firm. Abady, 53, flipped the estate at a substantial profit to Syailendra Bakrie, a businessman and member of one of Indonesia’s wealthiest families. Earlier this year, the 43-year-old’s younger sister Adinda Bakrie paid $21 million for a contemporary mansion elsewhere in the Beverly Hills Flats.

      Because the Cowell estate has never been publicly offered on the market, some of its various interior accouterments remain a mystery. But the “America’s Got Talent” judge had the property photographed and published many times over the years, and the traditional-meets-contemporary residential fusion boasts a black-and-white interior motif enhanced by copious amounts of marble and glass. There are at least five bedrooms and eight baths in nearly 10,000 square feet of living space.

      Some of the property’s numerous amenities include a solarium, movie theater, lap-lane swimming pool, pool cabana with a retractable roof, an at-home tanning salon, a state-of-the-art gym, two kitchens, and that wellness suite with spa and massage facilities, plus a steam room. For the hired help, there are maid’s and butler’s quarters, and a security detail can monitor the premises through the world-class security system, which includes retina scan authorization.

      Outside, the estate includes a sparkling pool, a detached pool house/guesthouse of some sort, verdant lawns, mature palm trees and a street-facing façade obscured by gorgeous native sycamores. A gated courtyard has parking space for at least a half-dozen luxury vehicles.

      Fully customized by Cowell, the nearly 10,000-square-foot house includes a bevy of high-tech amenities. More

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      Gisele Bündchen Just Picked up Another South Florida Home

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      She already owns a contemporary $11.5 million Miami Beach residence in the exclusive Indian Creek Country Club community known as “Billionaire Bunker”— just a short jaunt via boat across the waterway from ex-husband Tom Brady’s unfinished $27 million Miami Beach megamansion. But now Gisele Bündchen has added yet another home to her South Florida property portfolio.

      As first reported by The Wall Street Journal, an entity tied to the Brazilian supermodel has forked over $9.1 million for a roughly 7.5-acre spread in Broward County’s affluent Southwest Ranches neighborhood on the eastern edge of the Florida Everglades, just 15 miles southwest of Fort Lauderdale. According to the news outlet, she plans to convert the dwelling into an “animal-friendly property,” complete with horses, chickens and other farm critters

      Last sold to a Mexico-born family in November 2013 for $1.65 million, the home has been on and off the market for several years, and also was offered for rent—once for as much as $75,000 per month. After returning to the market this past August for $10.5 million, the house ultimately went to Bündchen at a significant discount.

      Built in 1976, Bündchen’s new digs have since been extensively renovated. Described in the listing as “a true gem,” the two-story structure features nine bedrooms and an equal number of baths in nearly 5,200 square feet of living space boasting high ceilings and open-concept interiors. There’s also a separate two-bedroom apartment.

      The open-concept main level contains a fireside living room, dining area and gourmet kitchen.

      Eric Igualada/ONE Sotheby’s International Realty

      Highlights include an expansive great room spotlighted by a floating staircase and fireside living area. A dining space connects to the gourmet kitchen, which is outfitted with Calacatta quartz countertops, an oversized eat-in island, an integrated refrigerator and oven, and a built-in bar. Elsewhere is a master on the main holding a sitting area, “fantastic” walk-in closet, and luxe bath with dual vanities, a soaking tub and glassy shower.

      Outdoors, the grounds host an infinity-edge pool and spa with fountains, a tennis court, full-size soccer pitch, sport court, two equestrian rings, a barn with 10 horse stalls, kitchen and barbecue setup, and a couple of pergolas ideal for lounging and entertaining. There’s also a two-car garage.

      Brady, and Bündchen were married in 2009 and share three children—a son Benjamin, and daughter Vivian, along with another son Jack from Brady’s previous relationship with Bridget Moynahan. Worth a combined fortune in the hundreds of millions of dollars, the couple’s property portfolio includes homes in the Bahamas and Montana, as well as a New York City apartment where Bündchen had been staying during their split. She also retains a Costa Rica vacation home.

      The listing was held by Chad Bishop and Saddy Abaunza Delgado of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty; Laura Valente with Global Luxury Realty LLC repped the buyer.

      Click here for more photos of Gisele Bündchen’s Florida house.

      Eric Igualada/ONE Sotheby’s International Realty More

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      Andie MacDowell Is Selling Her 1920s Storybook Tudor in Los Angeles

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      Though she bought it barely two years ago, actress Andie MacDowell has now decided to turn the page on her classic Storybook Tudor.

      The longtime L’Oréal ambassador and veteran actress has hoisted the property in the Eastside Los Angeles neighborhood of Silver Lake back on the market for a dash under $4 million—or $100,000 less than she paid for the place amid a fierce bidding war back in November 2021.

      Nestled on a compact parcel, and separated from the street out front by a landscaped yard dotted with towering cypress trees, the whitewashed structure was originally built in 1928. Recently remodeled, the two-story house features five bedrooms and four baths in a little more than 3,400 square feet of stylish, neutrally hued living space boasting blonde hardwood floors, gentle curves, high ceilings and lots of natural light.

      Upon entry, a formal living room attracts interest with its Palladian fanlight window and veined-marble fireplace.

      Charmaine David

      Main-level highlights include a spacious formal living room sporting a large Palladian fanlight window and wood-burning fireplace decorated with a stylish veined-marble surround, along with a formal dining room flaunting another large window and a ballon-like chandelier. An updated kitchen is outfitted with an eat-in island, a La Cornue range and Miele appliances tucked away behind custom panels, plus backsplashes and countertops matching the marble in the living room fireplace.

      In addition to Miele appliances hidden behind custom panels, the marble-clad kitchen also sports a crave-worthy La Cornue range.

      Charmaine David

      A curving staircase heads upstairs, where there’s a family/media room offering panoramic views of the Silver Lake Reservoir, along with a dreamy primary bedroom suite holding a sitting area, walk-in closet, and luxe bath equipped with dual vanities, an oval soaking tub, glass-encased shower and yet more of that beautiful marble that seems to be a running theme throughout.

      Outdoors, the fenced grounds are laced with native California plantings, and host a small pool designed by local landscape firm Terremoto. There’s also a two-car garage with a loft that’s been converted into the ideal space for relaxing and entertaining.

      Designed by local landscape firm Terremoto, the charming grounds include a small pool flanked by an ideal spot for an al fresco meal.

      Charmaine David

      In addition to her for-sale house, the 65-year-old South Carolina native also owns a vacation house in Montana. She sold a two-home compound in L.A.’s Highland Park neighborhood last year for $2.7 million.

      The listing is held by Natalie Trabin of Compass.

      Click here for more photos of Andie MacDowell’s Silver Lake house. More

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      Paul Anka’s Custom L.A. Home Hits the Market for $10 Million

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      Crank up the tunes and put your head on someone’s shoulder, because Paul Anka is looking to strike a very rich chord with his groovy Thousand Oaks home. And this place certainly has all the proper ingredients to make a real estate hit, including a state-of-the-art recording studio, billiard room, fully renovated eat-in kitchen, detached gym and an infinity pool.

      The heavily upgraded mansion won’t come cheap, of course, saddled as it is with a $10 million price tag. But that’s par for the course at guard-gated Sherwood Country Club, where the house is located — the enclave’s nationally famed Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course is lined with extravagant homes and multi-acre estates. Club members, who include Justin Timberlake, Sylvester Stallone and Tom Selleck, must first fork over a reported $300,000 initiation fee just to join.

      Anka’s estate is situated on “one of Sherwood’s largest privately gated lots,” per the listing, spanning nearly six contiguous acres. A long, gated driveway leads between rows of trees on its way to the nearly 8,000-square-foot house, which is privately tucked out of sight from the street and neighborly prying eyes. A vast motorcourt fronts a four-car garage and boasts ample room for high-end luxury rides including Anka’s Porsche Panamera and Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, visible in listing photographs.

      Anka’s mansion was recently renovated and features ample motorcourt parking.

      Shawn Cordon

      Besides the aforementioned amenities, highlights of the French-inspired residence include an orange living room equipped with a fireplace and line with some of Anka’s numerous plaques, a butler’s pantry with marble countertops and built-in storage, a breakfast nook with views over the surrounding hills, a formal dining room that spills out to an al fresco patio, Astroturf lawns and four ensuite bedrooms. The upstairs master retreat includes a fireplace, showroom closet and opulent bathroom. Perhaps the estate’s most unique feature is a freestanding, glass-walled building that functions as a very lavish at-home gym, and the surrounding grounds are laced by ancient oaks.

      Records indicate the house was built in speculation in 2006; Anka bought it in 2007 for $4 million and likely spent another small fortune on bespoke upgrades in the 16 years since.

      Anka, 82, is perhaps one of the most successful songwriters of the 20th century. Widely known for crafting mega-hits for the likes of Michael Jackson, Tom Jones and Frank Sinatra, the Grammy-winner also took songs like “Diana,” “Lonely Boy” and “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” to the top on his own, and he wrote the memorable theme music for “The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson.” He’s now a member of the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide.

      Mary Ann Scott of Beverly and Company holds the listing with Team Nicki and Karen of Compass.

      Click here for more photos of Paul Anka’s Thousand Oaks estate.

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      Marilyn Monroe’s Famed L.A. Home Is Being Torn Down

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      It’s another sad day for fans of historic architecture and Old Hollywood lore alike. As first reported by the New York Post, the house located at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive in L.A.’s Brentwood neighborhood, a 1920s Spanish hacienda-style structure, may soon be demolished by its new owner.

      Despite its modest scale and unpretentious nature, the 2,600-square-foot bungalow gained worldwide fame in 1962 as the location of Marilyn Monroe’s sudden death. The walled and gated property was also the only house ever owned by the legendary actress, and in the six decades since the half-acre estate has become one of the city’s most famous local landmarks. Blogger Lindsay Blake previously published an in-depth post filled with numerous fascinating tidbits about the property, including how Monroe placed a plaque above the front door which read “Cursom Perificio” in Latin. Translation: “My Journey Ends Here.”

      Monroe’s Brentwood house is a sprawling single-story hacienda.

      Getty Images

      While the home’s exterior architecture remains incredibly alike how it appeared in 1962, the interiors have been significantly altered. Most notably, the kitchen and bathrooms have been modernized, and the estate’s formerly detached guest casita has been merged into the main house. Still, numerous original features — casement windows, terracotta tile floors, wood-beamed ceilings — happily hark back to Golden Age times.

      Out back, a brick patio spills out to a notably large swimming pool; beyond that, a grassy lawn is surrounded by mature trees, tall hedges and a citrus orchard. Out front, bountiful bunches of bougainvillea arch their way across the home’s façade, and there’s a two-car garage.

      The half-acre property sits just a quick jog south of Sunset Boulevard.

      Mercer Vine

      Teardowns have become increasingly commonplace in the area surrounding Monroe’s former home, as soaring property values and record-breaking sales entice developers to build ever bigger and fancier. That this particular property survived intact is a testament to the hacienda’s enduring charm, and to Monroe’s legendary status, of course.

      Back in 2014, Emerald Lake hedge fund manager Dan Lukas and his wife Anne Jarmain paid $7.3 million for the Monroe estate, and have lived at the property in the years since. Six months ago, however, the couple paid $13 million for a larger home in the same neighborhood.

      Mercer Vine

      Last month, Lukas and Jarmain quietly sold the Monroe house to a buyer who has not yet been publicly identified. That person paid nearly $8.4 million for the property, in cash, and almost immediately applied for a demolition permit. The L.A. Department of Building and Safety recently approved the request for a “plan check” of the proposed work, though an official permit has not yet been issued.

      But if similar situations in the recent past are any indicator of this property’s future, it seems likely that the Monroe hacienda will soon be added to a long list of historical real estate treasures that continue to be lost. More