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      in Luxury

      Joe Francis’s Parents Quietly Sell Their Ocean-View Mansion in SoCal for $25 Million

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      Though it was never officially on the market, a lavish Laguna Beach residence long owned by businessman Raymond Francis and his wife Maria, the parents of Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis, has sold to a neighbor for $25 million, a large number for Orange County’s guard-gated Emerald Bay enclave and among the biggest sums ever paid for an Emerald Bay home without direct beach access.

      Records show the buyer is veteran mortgage lender/entrepreneur Evan M. Stone—cofounder and CEO of Champions Funding, a provider of non-traditional mortgage financing services—who also purchased a smaller Emerald Bay home last summer, paying $8.5 million. Stone also serves as chairman of Community Savings Bank, as well as a co-owner and partner of Rep 1, a sports agency for pro athletes such as Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff that was recently acquired by Excel Sports Management.

      The Francises paid $2.2 million for the Emerald Bay property some 27 years ago, back in May 1996, before completely leveling and rebuilding an existing home on the site. Completed in 2007, and resting on a nearly quarter-acre parcel, the resort-like abode features five bedrooms and seven baths spread across almost 7,600 square feet of two-level living space overlooking sweeping views of the Pacific coastline and surrounding bluffs.

      Upon entry, a glamorous living room is warmed by a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and crowned with a massive chandelier.

      Once inside, the interiors are decked out with high coffered ceilings, bespoke millwork, ornate stair railings, hand-crafted chandeliers and clerestory windows. Posh amenities range from two wood-paneled offices and a wine-tasting chamber, to a seated wet bar, screening room and sauna-equipped gym.

      Additional highlights include formal living and dining rooms, plus a gourmet kitchen outfitted with custom cabinetry, stone countertops, a center island, top-tier stainless appliances, a butler’s pantry and an accompanying breakfast nook. There’s also a sumptuous master retreat, which sports a fireplace, sliding glass doors opening to a private ocean-facing patio, a walk-in closet, and spa-inspired bath boasting dual vanities, a dressing area, soaking tub and separate shower.

      Several rooms in the house open to terraces offering up picturesque ocean vistas.

      Outdoors, the landscaped grounds host numerous terraces adorned with fire features, along with a fountain, built-in barbecue and putting green. Rounding it all out: an attached two-car garage, plus an $8,200 annual HOA fee allowing Emerald Bay residents access to a private beach, junior Olympic-size pool, tennis courts, parks and playgrounds.

      The listing was held by Tim Smith of Coldwell Banker Realty; Maura Short and Michelle Cormier of Compass repped the buyer.

      Click here for more photos of 145 Emerald Bay. More

    • 188 Shares159 Views

      in Luxury

      NHL Star Anze Kopitar Seeks Record $37 Million for SoCal Compound Fit for a King

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      Always wanted to live like royalty—specifically, a Slovenia-born hockey player with countless accolades under his puck? Now’s your chance, because the striking Manhattan Beach spread that L.A. Kings veteran Anze Kopitar has called home for the past several years has just popped up for sale, as was first reported by the Daily Breeze.

      The asking price is an eye-watering $37 million—or $27 million more than the two-time Stanley cup champ and his wife Ines doled out for a duo of neighboring homes nine years ago, back in November 2014, before they completely rebuilt every inch of the premises in 2018. Should the place go for anywhere near the hefty list price, it would set a record for the coastal city.

      An ocean-view living room is warmed by a fireplace.

      Kim Pritchard for Vista Sotheby’s International Realty

      Resting on a double lot nestled alongside a pedestrian-only street that leads directly to the beach, the property features a multi-level main house and separate guesthouse—for a total of seven bedrooms and 10 baths sprawled across a little more than 7,600 square feet of living space. Notable amenities include an elevator, office, a screening room, gym and climate-controlled wine display.

      Especially standing out in the five-bedroom, seven-bath main home is a living room displaying a fireplace, ample built-ins, and doors flowing out to a fireside balcony sporting a pair of swinging sofas. Right around the corner is a gourmet kitchen outfitted with an eat-in island, a La Cornue range, wine cooler, two refrigerators and an adjacent dining area that opens to a partially enclosed balcony with a barbecue station.

      The pool and spa can easily be covered to create a courtyard area for entertaining guests.

      Kim Pritchard for Vista Sotheby’s International Realty

      Elsewhere is a posh master retreat boasting a walk-in closet and an ocean-view balcony, along with a luxe bath adorned with dual vanities, a soaking tub and shower; and outdoors, the grounds host a fully equipped Lynx outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven and two barbecues, along with a swimming pool and spa that can be converted into an al fresco entertaining courtyard with the touch of a button.

      Topping it all off is the two-bedroom, two-bath guesthouse, which has its own living area, kitchen and roof deck. There’s also solar panels and Tesla Powerwall-equipped parking space for up to five vehicles.

      The listing is held by June Emerson of Vista Sotheby’s International Realty.

      Click here for more photos of Anze Kopitar’s Manhattan Beach house.

      Kim Pritchard for Vista Sotheby’s International Realty More

    • 200 Shares159 Views

      in Luxury

      Weeks After Buying It, a Chicago Investor Is Selling This Never-Lived-in Malibu Mansion for $38 million

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      In late August, two years after it debuted on the market with a whopping $74.8 million price tag, an extravagant Malibu property widely known as “The Kaizen Home” (kai meaning change and zen meaning good) officially sold via Concierge Auctions for the heavily slashed sum of $26.5 million. Now, less than two months later, the place is already back on the market. This time, the asking price is a smidge under $38 million.

      Property records indicate the buyer and speedy seller is longtime Chicago-area investor Matt Coleman, the founder and former owner of The Good Feet store chain, which he sold in 2020 for an undisclosed sum. Coleman also owns several other extravagant homes across the country—a main residence in Wisconsin and several properties in Del Mar, Calif.—including Jenny Craig’s former estate, which he bought in 2019 for $22 million—as well as a vacation spot in Montana’s expensive Big Sky community.

      Tucked away behind a gated driveway in the far western reaches of Malibu, across Pacific Coast Highway from County Line Beach in what’s technically considered Ventura County, the modern home was built on spec by Kris Halliday of MKH Developments in 2022. Per The Real Deal, Halliday paid an LLC tied to Bling Empire cast members Christine and Dr. Gabriel Chiu $5.4 million for the then-vacant property in late 2018.

      The living area is spotlighted by a massive aquarium housing exotic fish.

      Juwan Li

      Spanning two stories, the reinforced concrete, composite wood, travertine and carved stone structure features six bedrooms and 10 baths in 20,000 square feet of feng shui-inspired living space boasting European floor-to-ceiling motorized frameless glass walls providing sweeping ocean views. There’s also hand-carved stone and wood walls, as well as living green walls, plus a 2,000-gallon exotic aquarium and 20,000-gallon koi pond.

      Among the main-level highlights: a striking courtyard entryway that opens into a double-height foyer topped by a 30-foot-wide skylight. An expansive, glass-lined living space sports a linear fireplace, seated wet bar and temperature-controlled wine cellar, while a formal dining room seats up to 14, and a kitchen outfitted with a pair of waterfall-edge marble eat-in islands and stainless appliances links to a “hidden” ancillary kitchen.

      The relaxing backyard holds a lengthy infinity pool armed with a spa, Baja shelf and sunken fire-pit lounge.

      Juwan Li

      Upstairs, two primary bedroom suites come complete with private balconies, walk-in closets, and spa-like baths equipped with bespoke tubs and stone-clad showers. Elsewhere in the house is an office, a gym, multi-purpose recreation room and Dolby Atmos movie theater; and outdoors, the resort-inspired backyard is laced with Zen-style gardens and water features, and hosts a kitchen and an al fresco dining setup, along with a grassy lawn flanked by a 95-foot tiled infinity pool with a spa, Baja shelf and sunken fire-pit lounge. Rounding it all out: two four-car garages equipped with electric car-charging stations.

      The listing was jointly held by Aaron Kirman and Daniel Milstein of AKG | Christie’s International Real Estate, and Rayni Williams, Branden Williams and Tony Barsocchini of The Beverly Hills Estates; the home is currently being offered by Estel Hilton and Rayni Williams of The Beverly Hills Estates.

      Click here for more photos of The Kaizen Home.

      Juwan Li More

    • 113 Shares99 Views

      in Luxury

      Filmmaker Gavin Hood Is Selling His Resort-Like Malibu Estate

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      It’s officially a wrap for Gavin Hood, who has decided to part ways with his compound in Malibu’s exclusive Point Dume enclave after less than four years of ownership.

      The South African film director—best known for his work on the Oscar-winning Tsotsi, as well as Rendition, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Ender’s Game—is asking exactly $7 million for the Cape Cod-style spread, which he originally acquired for about $4 million, back during the initial onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic.

      Built in 2003, and tucked away on a double-gated and fenced parcel spanning just over an acre, the wood-sided structure features three bedrooms and an equal number of baths in almost 3,800 square feet of two-level living space boasting dark hardwood floors, high ceilings and plenty of natural light throughout.

      The Cape Cod-style estate features a three-bedroom main home resting bedside a separate guesthouse with two garage bays.

      Roy Gelbart/One Shot Productions

      A koi pond sits right outside the front door, which opens into a foyer that flows to a formal sitting/music room and private study with built-in shelving, both of which are adorned with rustic stone fireplaces. Other highlights include a family room, wet bar-equipped dining area, and gourmet kitchen outfitted with granite countertops, an eat-in island, and GE Monogram and Sub-Zero appliances.

      All of the bedrooms can be found upstairs, including a spacious master retreat flaunting a balcony overlooking views of the ocean and Santa Monica Mountains, along with a walk-in closet and bath decked out with an inviting soaking tub; and outdoors, the resort-like grounds host an infinity-edge pool and raised spa, a secluded hammock, barbecue and bar setup, and several spots ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining.

      A picturesque koi pond sits directly outside the front door of the main home.

      Roy Gelbart/One Shot Productions

      Rounding it all out are two attached garage bays flanking a detached two-story guesthouse, which has its own bedroom, bath, living area and French doors spilling out to a waterfall-fed turtle pond sporting a meditation deck. There’s also a coveted key to Little Dume Beach, plus an outdoor shower for rinsing off after your surf session.

      The listing is held by Nerissa Hood and Michelle Butler of Engel & Völkers Calabasas.

      Click here for more photos of Gavin Hood’s Malibu house.

      Roy Gelbart/One Shot Productions More

    • 200 Shares159 Views

      in Luxury

      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

    • 213 Shares129 Views

      in Luxury

      Jack Nicholson’s Daughter Is Selling Her Desert Retreat Next Door to a Storied Old West Movie Set

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      Jack Nicholson might have acted in a few Westerns during his lengthy career, but his eldest daughter Jennifer one-upped him a few years back when the former actress and fashion designer plunked down around $525,000 for a 10-acre estate straddling an authentic Old West town in Southern California’s unincorporated community of Pioneertown. Now that contemporary residence is up for grabs, asking $3.7 million.

      Sited amid the Morongo Basin in eastern San Bernardino County’s High Desert region, near the Mojave Desert and Joshua Tree National Park, Pioneertown originated back in the 1940s when actor Dick Curtis collaborated with fellow actor Roy Rogers and other investors to buy 32,000 acres of land to create an authentic 1800s-themed town. The purpose: to serve as a filming locale and tourist destination, along with a permanent residence for folks working in the entertainment industry, ranchers and desert-lovers alike.

      More than 50 films and TV shows were ultimately shot in Pioneertown during the ’40s and ’50s, including The Cisco Kid and Annie Oakley. And though production worked died down in the ensuing years—and plans for a 40-acre lake, golf course, shopping center and an airport never came to fruition—the spot is still alive and kicking, complete with the Pioneertown Motel, as well as the popular Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, which is known for hosting live music by noted artists ranging from Paul McCartney to Lizzo.

      An expansive wood-paneled dining room has decorative glass doors spilling out to the grounds.

      Ed Tyler

      As for Nicholson’s home, the rustic wood-sided and metal-roof structure was custom-built in 1990, and rests down a driveway guarded by double wood gates. Inside, two bedrooms and three baths are filtered across almost 2,000 square feet of two-level living space boasting high ceilings, clerestory windows, ornate light fixtures and a unique circular stained-glass window, plus passive solar design.

      The centerpiece is a spacious fireside living room, which flows to a wood-clad dining room and kitchen outfitted with stainless appliances. The primary bedroom has a loft, built-in shelves, a walk-in closet, and bath equipped with a clawfoot soaking tub and large shower; and outdoors, the succulent-laced grounds hold a pool flanked by a sundeck, as well as an attached two-car garage and separate storage barn.

      Per the listing, which is held by Frank Sullivan and Jimmy Quill of Coldwell Banker Realty, there’s even a 1,000-year-old Joshua tree on the property.

      Click here for more photos of Jennifer Nicholson’s High Desert house. More