Real Estate

Subterms

    More stories

    • 188 Shares169 Views

      in Luxury

      A Mortgage Mogul’s Waterfront Estate in South Florida Just Sold for a Record $30 Million

      by

      Just 40 days after it hit the South Florida real estate market with a hefty $33 million ask, a lavish waterfront home in Fort Lauderdale’s gated Harbor Beach enclave already has sold for the still substantial amount of $30 million, as first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

      Broward County’s priciest real estate transaction so far this year, the deal also set a square footage price record for the area at $3,174 per square foot.

      But it’s not quite the most ever paid for a home in the region nestled between Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. That milestone occurred this past August, when a billionaire self-storage tycoon doled out $32.5 million for a 13,060-square-foot waterfront spec mansion in the Lauderdale Harbours community.

      Though the buyer is currently unknown, records show the seller of the Harbor Beach spread is Ronald Leonhardt Jr., the founder, president and CEO of Ohio-based CrossCountry Mortgage, who paid hotelier Mikhail Avrutin $23 million for the property a little more than two years ago.

      The double-height living area is spotlighted by a massive marble fireplace, walls of glass and an adjacent 200-bottle wine display.

      Daniel Petroni

      Completed on spec in 2021 by Randall Stofft Architects and Sarkela Corp., the mansion rests on a third of an acre, amid 120 feet of water frontage on the eastern side of the Intracoastal Waterway, and offers six bedrooms and nine baths sprawled across almost 9,500 square feet of two-level living space decked out with Duchateau oak floors, Terzani light fixtures, and walls of glass overlooking picturesque water and skyline views.

      Posh amenities range from a glassy wine display that holds 200 bottles and wet bar-equipped game room/lounge, to a roof deck and dock big enough to accommodate a mega-yacht.

      Additional highlights include a living room sporting a soaring marble fireplace, along with a “show” kitchen equipped with Italian cabinetry, an eat-in island, top-tier appliances, a breakfast nook and an additional prep kitchen. There’s also a sumptuous upstairs master retreat boasting a fireside sitting area and balcony, as well as dual closets and baths.

      The master retreat comes complete with two baths, including this one sporting a large oval soaking tub with a view.

      Daniel Petroni

      Outdoors, the grounds host a covered terrace ideal for al fresco entertaining, a barbecue area and lap pool embellished with fire features; and rounding it all out are a Crestron smart-home system, full-home generator and two attached garages with room for four vehicles, plus access to a residents-only beach club that has its own private marina.

      No stranger to the South Florida real estate market, Leonhardt also flipped two neighboring waterfront homes on Miami Beach’s Hibiscus Island in 2021 for an impressive $27 million.

      The listing was held by Chad Carroll of Compass; Brady Thrasher of Re/Max repped the buyer.

      Click here for more photos of the Laguna Drive estate.

      Daniel Petroni More

    • 163 Shares129 Views

      in Luxury

      Elizabeth Perkins Has Her Los Angeles Home on the Market for $2.7 Million

      by

      About a year after Elizabeth Perkins took on the role of desperate, unhappy suburban housewife Celia Hodes in the cult favorite, late 2000s series Weeds, which garnered her three Emmy nominations, the veteran actress purchased her own suburban home in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley that’s just popped up for sale for $2.7 million.  

      Sitting on a corner lot of about one-fifth of an acre and partly concealed by mature trees and a tall hedge, the almost 3,400-square-foot Sherman Oaks home was built in a Spanish Mediterranean Revival style, with chalk-white stucco walls and a red clay tile roof. A secured, grassy courtyard entrance leads to the front door of the five-bedroom and four-bath family-friendly home.

      The living room showcases an elaborately tiled fireplace.

      Todd Goodman / LA Light for Sotheby’s International Realty

      Interior spaces feature dark, rich wood trim and casings, hardwood and travertine flooring, decorative wainscoting, soft arches, and vaulted and coved ceilings, while the home’s two fireplaces, one in the living room and the other in the main bedroom upstairs, have been colorfully tiled in hand-cut and hand-painted ceramic and glass tile work. 

      Complementing the adjoining living and dining rooms at the front of the house, a great room at the back incorporates a family room that spills out to the backyard, a spacious kitchen arranged around a granite-topped island, and an informal dining spot set into a bay window overlooking the pool and backyard.

      One of the smaller bedrooms is on the main floor, making it suitable as a home office or nanny suite, and the primary bedroom is on the second floor and offers a private balcony, a sleek bathroom with an oversized shower, and two walk-in closets.

      A large covered patio overlooks the swimming pool.

      Todd Goodman / LA Light for Sotheby’s International Realty

      A spacious ramada offers plenty of space for relaxing out of the heat of the sun in the backyard, and cumulous plumes of foliage provide privacy from the neighbors. There’s a fire bowl in one corner, and the kidney-shaped pool, surrounded by lawn, is trimmed in flagstone.

      The veteran actress, whose dozens of film and TV credits include Big (1988), The Doctor (1991), Sharp Objects (2018), and, most recently, Minx, and her husband, Argentinian-born cinematographer Julio Macat,” whose handiwork includes the 1990s film franchise Home Alone, purchased the then brand-spanking-new home in 2006 for not quite $1.5 million, according to tax records.

      The listing is held by Michael J. Okun of Sotheby’s International Realty, Sherman Oaks Brokerage.

      Click here for more photos of Elizabeth Perkins’s home.

      Todd Goodman / LA Light for Sotheby’s International Realty More

    • 163 Shares189 Views

      in Luxury

      Marilyn Monroe’s Iconic L.A. Home Was Bought by the Billionaire Heiress Next Door

      by

      Earlier this month, news of the pending demolition of Marilyn Monroe’s famed Los Angeles home went viral. Since then, onlookers have wondered who would pay more than $3,000 per square foot — already a very high price for the neighborhood — only to tear down the local landmark.

      The property quietly changed hands in August, when it sold to a mysterious trust (“Glory of the Snow 1031 Trust”) that paid about $8.4 million, in cash, for the place. The trust’s trustee is Andrew Schure, a Philadelphia-based businessman.

      Many speculated that the new owner was a greedy developer, or a high-flying tycoon looking to build a custom dream home on the half-acre lot. But the real story is a little more complex.

      This week, the L.A. tour bus service Esotouric uncovered a very big clue to the owner’s identity. Recent photos reveal the wall and hedge between Monroe’s home and the much larger house immediately next door have been removed, an indicator that the two properties are being linked together to create one large compound.

      The house next door is owned by a notably wealthy heiress named Brinah Milstein, who is married to Roy Bank — a former reality television producer and Philadelphia native. Milstein acquired her current Brentwood home, a 2006-built mansion that spans some 6,000 square feet of living space, in 2016 for about $8.2 million.

      The acquisition of Monroe’s house gives Milstein more than 1-acre of prime Brentwood land.

      Google Earth

      Milstein, 42, is a daughter of the late Carl Milstein, a powerful businessman who was one of Cleveland’s most prominent real estate developers. In the 1970s, he served prison time for bribing a federal housing official; he also founded Associated Estates (AEC), which became one of the largest owners and managers of apartment buildings in Ohio.

      In 2015, AEC was sold for $2.5 billion. Today, some of Brinah Milstein’s siblings are executives at Milstein Asset Management, a single family office with a portfolio of assets and investments worth “billions of dollars.”

      In addition to her two-property, $16.6 million Brentwood compound, records indicate Milstein recently bought an oceanfront vacation home in Newport Beach, Calif., paying $8.2 million.

      Milstein’s $8.2 million vacation home in Newport Beach.

      Google Earth

      It’s still unclear what Milstein and Bank plan to do with the Monroe property once the house is torn down, though it seems destined to became one piece of a larger estate. Clearly, the vacant lot would have more than enough space to accommodate a full-size tennis court, a guesthouse, gardens or garages for additional parking.

      But for folks upset by Milstein’s plans, all hope is not yet lost. Last week, the L.A. city council unanimously voted to consider the house for historic preservation, prompting the building department to revoke Milstein’s demolition permit. Beyond that, immediate neighbors of the Monroe house have told Robb Report that they’ve spoken directly to Milstein, who they claim has already changed her mind about tearing down the iconic home.

      Neighbors say Milstein may have changed her mind about tearing down Monroe’s hacienda.

      Mercer Vine

      Some vocal critics have derided all the hullabaloo about Milstein’s demolition plans. They point out that the Monroe house is just another Spanish-style hacienda, one of thousands in L.A., and that it has been remodeled multiple times since Monroe’s death, leaving the 2,600-square-foot structure an imperfect blend of 1920s throwback and 2000s modernity. Why does it matter that one of Hollywood’s most famous stars lived and died there decades ago, they say.

      But “imperfection is beauty,” Monroe once noted. So maybe her little slice of Brentwood imperfection will stick around to see another year.

      Mercer Vine More

    • 188 Shares189 Views

      in Luxury

      NBA Star Bradley Beal Is Tossing His Maryland Mansion on the Market for $10 Million

      by

      Bradley Beal isn’t bringing any baggage with him to the Phoenix Suns, and that includes his home in Bethesda, Maryland.  

      The former Washington Wizard, who was traded in June after a decade with the team, has just hoisted his sprawling D.C.-area mansion onto the market for $10 million. According to property records, the NBA All-Star guard shelled out $7.8 million for the palatial spread back in 2019, which he snapped up directly from the developer. The roughly 13,500-square-foot property sits on two acres and comprises six ensuite bedrooms and nine bathrooms.  

      NBA player Bradley Beal is selling his Maryland mansion for $10 million.

      Raul Rivero | riv photo + film

      According to the listing, held by Jill Schwartz and Andres Serafini of RLAH @properties, the trendy pad draws its design cues from South Florida, with an overall contemporary ambiance and chic finishings. Rest assured, there’s no shortage of jaw-dropping spaces. Think textured wallcoverings, abstract wool carpets, dramatic light fixtures, and hand-laid Italian mosaic tile in the foyer. Plus, the place is packed with custom cabinetry, ornate wrought iron railings, and heated tile floors. 

      Formal living and dining rooms are joined by a family room with a wet bar, a home office, and a chef’s kitchen that’s decked out with Viking appliances, plus a giant center island that’s topped with rare natural granite. Among the more unconventional extras, the all-time leading scorer’s abode sports its own fitness center and an arcade room, both of which have floor-to-ceiling walls of glass that look down on an NBA-certified underground half-basketball court.

      The house has an NBA-certified underground half-basketball court.

      Raul Rivero | riv photo + film

      Like the house, the grounds are fit for an athlete. There’s a full-size tennis court with stadium lighting and a heated swimming pool. However, you don’t have to be the active type to enjoy the outdoor areas. There’s also an alfresco kitchen for the culinary-inclined and a fire pit if you just want to kick back and get cozy. 

      Click here to see all the photos of 8913 Holly Leaf Lane. 

      Raul Rivero | riv photo + film More

    • 100 Shares169 Views

      in Luxury

      Kaley Cuoco Is Buying and Selling L.A. Houses

      by

      Kaley Cuoco is shuffling her Los Angeles property portfolio once again. A little over three months after her contemporary mansion in a semi-remote part of Agoura Hills popped up for sale with a $7 million ask, she’s already picked up the keys to a nearly 2-acre spread tucked away in a gated Westlake Village community, on the outskirts of L.A.

      Records show the veteran TV and film actress—probably most known for her role as Penny on The Big Bang Theory, as well as Based on a True Story, The Flight Attendant and those ubiquitous Priceline commercials—has doled out $6.4 million for a modern ranch-style home that was built new in 2023, and features five bedrooms and seven baths in almost 7,000 square feet of mostly single-level living space.

      Meanwhile, the Agoura Hills place she purchased in a bidding war from actor Taylor Lautner in spring 2022 for $5.25 million is still up for sale. After having undergone four price cuts since it first hit the market in early June, it’s currently listed for $5.75 million.

      As for her newly acquired residence, the main level is highlighted by a formal dining room accented with a decorative wood wall, plus a gourmet kitchen decked out with a central island, top-tier appliances and a casual breakfast nook. An adjacent wet bar-equipped family room has a floor-to-ceiling fireplace flanked by glass doors spilling outside.

      Elsewhere are an office and three en-suite bedrooms, which include a sizable master retreat displaying a fireplace, walk-in closet, and luxe bath outfitted with dual vanities and a soaking tub. Two additional bedrooms can be found in the basement, which also has a climate-controlled wine cellar and movie theater/game room; and outdoors, the grassy grounds host a covered patio and plenty of room for equestrian facilities should Cuoco wish to indulge her love for horses. There’s also an attached four-car garage and a motorcourt out front.

      In addition to her for-sale and just-purchased houses, the California native also owns a 40-acre horse ranch in a secluded area of Ventura County, along with a Studio City townhouse she picked up in late 2015 for just $720,000.

      The buyer was represented by her real estate agent father, Gary Cuoco of Re/Max Gold Coast; Jordan Cohen of Re/Max One acted on behalf of the seller. More

    • 163 Shares139 Views

      in Vacation Homes

      Wealthy U.S. Homebuyers Can’t Stop Snapping Up Trophy Properties in Scotland. Here’s Why.

      by

      With its fairytale castles and historic links, Scotland has long been a bucket list destination for American travelers, especially those who enjoy historic destinations and prefer their vacations include a round (or two or three) of golf. However, The Land of the Brave is now seeing a surge of buyers from the United States.  

      According to Savills, Americans now account for 4 percent of the country’s total transactions, a 3 percent jump over the last four years. Stateside residents shopping around for a second (third or fourth) home in Scotland are flocking to places like Edinburgh, the U.K.’s second-most visited city next to London. In fact, a whopping 40 percent of prime purchases in the Scottish capital were by non-native buyers, Knight Frank agent Ricardo Volpi told Bloomberg. And between March 2020 and June 2023, the average sales of homes priced at over £2 million increased a whopping 32.6 percent in the city. 

      “The buyers have been people wanting to come to Edinburgh to enjoy the festival or come to the Scottish Open—who have been here on holiday but want a home base of their own,” Max Mills, head of residential sales at Rettie, told Bloomberg. “Some well-connected Americans are already members of high-profile golf clubs in Scotland and are buying houses for when they can have time to start playing the links here more regularly.” He added that, amid rising mortgage rates, most people are paying in cash.  

      Edinburgh has seen an uptick in American buyers looking to snap up prime properties.

      Unsplash

      During the pandemic, Scotland became particularly appealing to those who wanted a break from city life, and, concurrently, the weakening of the British pound sent Americans into a European real estate frenzy. Jess Simpson, the head of a property firm in England, noted that she’s seen the amount of interest from buyers across the pond increase threefold over the last year. Specifically, her clients are interested in historic castles and other trophy properties.

      “The trifecta for wealthy American clients for U.K. properties is generally a house in London, an estate in the country—in a place like the Cotswolds—and a Scottish castle or estate,” she told Bloomberg. 

      Bob Dylan was seemingly ahead of the trend when he bought a 16-bedroom mansion in the Scottish Highlands back in 2006, though he is now looking to sell the 24-acre estate. The Edwardian abode, known as Aultmore House, is located within Cairngorm National Park and is listed for £3 million (or roughly $3.9 million). Here’s your chance, lads and lassies, to snap up a historic home in Scotland from one of the United States’ most beloved musicians. More

    • 163 Shares119 Views

      in Luxury

      A $20 Million Malibu Home Has Sold to a High-End Supermarket Chain Owner

      by

      There’s apparently great wealth in wellness. A company linked to Josephine Antoci, who with her husband Tony owns the health-oriented and über-expensive Erewhon supermarket chain, has just paid $20 million for an oceanfront house on Malibu’s Broad Beach.

      Over the past 10 years, Erewhon — which recently opened its 10th location in the greater Los Angeles area — has evolved from a single-location health foods store into a see-and-be-seen organic Mecca with locations in nearly every posh L.A. neighborhood, and a favorite haunt of Tinseltown’s rich and famous. Today, the chain is perhaps best known for its $20 smoothies, of which there are a wide assortment of only-in-Tinseltown flavors, including “Hailey Bieber’s Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie.”

      As for the Malibu home, it’s a 1950s ranch-style structure sited on more than half an acre of oceanfront land, complete with an impressive 73 feet of beach frontage. With six bedrooms and six bathrooms in nearly 3,700 square feet, the recently renovated residence includes hardwood floors throughout, walls of glass, soaring ceilings with exposed wood beams and a covered balcony upstairs.

      Other amenities include a long and gated driveway, a snug kitchen with new appliances and butcher-block countertops, a breakfast bar, a fireplace-equipped living room and a guest suite with its own separate entrance.

      Nice as the upgraded house is, it still isn’t good enough for everyone. Just last year, nursing home mogul Lee Samson bought the place for $19.6 million and immediately sought to demolish the existing structure. The current listing notes the property transferred to its new owner with “plans and renderings for a new Richard Landry-designed home of approximately 10,000 square feet,” although it is unclear what Antoci’s ultimate intentions are.

      For unknown reasons, Samson apparently changed his mind about building a new Broad Beach dream home, opting to abandon the project before construction began. But the 76-year-old still owns a giant Richard Landry-designed mansion in prime Beverly Hills.

      The Antocis are longtime Malibu residents who own another oceanfront home elsewhere on Broad Beach. The couple, who sold a minority stake in Erewhon to New York-based private equity firm Stripes Group in 2019, also recently completed construction on a $30 million, all-custom mansion in L.A.’s exclusive Brentwood Park neighborhood. More

    • 138 Shares119 Views

      in Luxury

      Olivia Wilde Has Quietly Sold Her Charming Hacienda on L.A.’s Eastside

      by

      During their nearly decade-long relationship, Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis accumulated a small portfolio of impressive homes, including a mansion-sized townhouse in Brooklyn and a renovated Spanish hacienda in L.A.’s Silver Lake neighborhood.

      Property records indicate those real estate trophies were divided up following the demise of the two actors’ coupledom, with the Brooklyn townhouse going to Sudeikis and the Silver Lake property being transferred to Wilde’s sole control. And given that Wilde recently bought a multimillion-dollar new home in Studio City, it’s probably no surprise that the “Don’t Worry Darling” director has quietly sold the Silver Lake house. Though it was never on the market, records show the stylish place sold for $4.2 million to a non-famous entertainment attorney and his wife.

      Back in 2019, Wilde and Sudeikis paid $3.5 million for the 1928-built Spanish-style home, which directly overlooks the Silver Lake Reservoir. Originally designed by Frankie Faulkner, one of L.A.’s first female architects, the approximately 2,800 sq. ft. structure was completely remodeled in 2016 by noted design firm DISC Interiors. While the exterior remains period-correct, the home’s innards now sport a far more contemporary and neutral palette, all while retaining many original architectural details — arched doors, casement windows and a beamed barrel ceiling in the living room.

      Set on a 0.13-acre lot, the hillside property features a two-car garage and plenty of additional street parking.  The low-maintenance yard is landscaped with native and drought-tolerant plantings — olive trees and various species of cacti, along with a petite patch of grassy lawn and a saltwater swimming pool in the backyard.

      Indoors, a spacious living room includes an original fireplace and the aforementioned barrel-vaulted ceiling. The sleek eat-in kitchen opens to the dining area and features custom cabinetry, limestone countertops, plus a mixture of vintage and high-end appliances.

      Though the Wilde-Sudeikis home appears to be single-story from the streetfront, it drops down mullet-style to three full separate levels out back. On the ground floor is a guest bedroom suite with private entry and a convenient wet bar, while the top floor includes the property’s other three bedrooms — two guest rooms that share a bathroom and the home’s fully modernized master suite, with its walk-in closet, dual bathroom vanities and soaking tub. More