Luxe Living

You might not know his name, but if you’re a music fan you most likely have purchased something from him. Irving Azoff is one of the most influential people in the music business, with a recent article in Billboard naming him as THE #1 most powerful.

Azoff got his start managing musicians and his former clients list looks like a who’s who of the music world, with names such as:  Christina Aguilera, Journey, Jewel, the Eagles, Bush, REO Speedwagon, Seal, Van Halen, Neil Diamond, New Kids on the Block, Steely Dan and New Edition.

After managing all these luminaries, Azoff also served as CEO of Ticketmaster Entertainment and Executive Chairman of Live Nation Entertainment. So, even if you weren’t buying music from any of these artists you have likely been to a concert that required buying tickets through one of these other companies.

One can assume that Mr. Azoff has been well compensated for his work over the years and this $16m mansion proves it. The home is located in the increasingly swanky Holmby Hills area, on a massive 1.5 manicured acres. The sleek, modern styled villa is situated behind a gate and designed for privacy. It features 5 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms with high ceilings and large windows throughout.

The chef’s kitchen is stunning and includes all of the high-end appliances that you would expect. After dinner, retire to the master wing that features a large master bedroom, his and her baths and a study that overlooks the grounds.

The home is rich with amenities including formal dining and breakfast rooms, library, family room with bar, covered outdoor patio, full-sized gym, pool, spa, pool house and guest house.

Images via the MLS.

Hold the presses! This may be one of the biggest celebrity real estate purchases this year. According to the Palm Beach Daily News, Howard Stern has snapped up an expensive piece of South Florida real estate this week in a private sale. Reportedly, the infamous shock jock isn’t just making headlines for stirring up controversy on the airways, he’s also shocking America by paying an alleged $52 million for the beachfront property in Palm Beach, FL. The estate was sold to Stern by American businessman Martin Trust and his wife, Diana.

Custom built in 1992 on 3.25 waterfront acres on the North End of Palm Beach, the property boasts an impressive 39,094 square feet of living space, including a five-bedroom, 11-bathroom, 18,673-square -oot main house. The estate also features a swimming pool and spa, and well-manicured landscaping.

Stern and his wife, Beth Ostrosky Stern, currently calls New York City home, where he produces and hosts The Howard Stern Show for Sirus Radio. Now, the couple will now be neighbors with fellow radio personality, Rush Limbaugh, and conservative political commentator, Ann Coulter.

The gravel-voiced tough guy, Nick Nolte, has decided to sell half of his massive Malibu, California compound for a cool $8,250,000. Known in later years for his very public run-ins with the law, the Oklahoma native has been acting and making movies for years, including powerful performances in classics such as Cape Fear, a harrowing thriller and 48 Hours with Eddie Murphy, not to mention his recently released, Gangster Squad, which features Nolte as the Chief of the LAPD.

Although he famously spoke out against the sky-high salaries of actors, Nolte has certainly gotten paid over the years – enough to own a huge property in the exclusive community of Malibu.

His estate is wooded and extremely private, comprising two acres in the stunning Bonsall Canyon. The home is over 6,000 square feet and includes 4 bedrooms and a number of high-end finishes throughout, including stone and carved wood, as well as Italian marble floors and and Mahogany French doors.

The living area has towering, 19-foot vaulted ceilings and skylights and leads into a spacious den.

The large master suite includes multiple fireplaces, a sitting room, and office, as well as commanding views of the property. Outside you will find a tennis court, as well as a pool and spa, perfect for soaking up the Malibu sunshine.

Whether you’re a grizzled acting veteran or not, this property has it all.

At 5:12 a.m. on Wednesday, April 18 1906, one of the most devastating natural disasters in the history of the United States took place as the San Andreas fault spasm-ed and generated a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that eventually destroyed 80% of San Francisco.

But the proud city rebuilt itself.

And one of the homes that rose from the ashes of the Great San Francisco Earthquake was a grand home on Broadway Street in the exclusive Pacific Heights neighborhood, overlooking San Francisco Bay.

Now that home, on the 107th anniversary of the earthquake, has become the most expensive home ever purchased in the history of the City By the Bay, clocking in at a cool $35 million, on a block now known as billionaire’s row.

The four-story home features six bedrooms, five bathrooms and two half bathrooms, all within the massive, 11,000 square foot mansion. “Starchitect” Fredrick H. Meyer designed and built the magnificent home in 1922.

It seems fitting that this significant home would be purchased by Trevor and Alexis Traina, with Trevor having been born and raised as part of San Francisco society. Since then, his work as a technology entrepreneur undoubtedly will help with upkeep on the fabulous home.

Whether you are entertaining guests in the elegant dining room overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, selecting a fine wine in the 3,000 bottle wine cellar, soaking in the sun on one of several balconies, or hopping into the pool for a quick dip, you can’t find a more luxe experience in San Francisco, especially on a day that honors the spirit of its residents.

Remember the super-sized sale of the iconic Spelling Manor in Beverly Hills in 2011? It took a super star agent to get that deal done, and we have the woman responsible for brokering the deal on Trulia Luxe Living today! Coldwell Banker Previews International agent Sally Forster Jones specializes in  luxury real estate across the greater Los Angeles area, and has achieved more than $1.5 billion in real estate sales over the past decade. When it comes to the big deals and even bigger homes, Sally seems to be the go-to agent.

Over the past thirty years, Sally has become one of the top real estate agents in Southern California with Coldwell Banker Previews International agent. Her reputation for professionalism, expertise, and successful execution has enabled Sally to develop a vast network of valuable industry contacts that has proven to be indispensable.

Let’s spend a little time getting to know Sally a little better!

How did you get your start in real estate?

When I first became interested in real estate, the market was on an upswing and I began purchasing income and rental properties as investments.  I quickly realized that I had a passion for the real estate business and I have been doing it ever since.

What sale or career milestone are you most proud of?

My career milestone is the listing and sale of the Spelling Manor in Holmby Hills, which is the highest brokered residential sale to-date in Los Angeles history and one of the highest in the country.

What is your dream home location?

I would love a beach house on the coast of Malibu.  The sandy beaches and ocean views are incredibly peaceful, and yet it’s just a quick drive to the hustle and bustle of the city.

What kind of car do you drive?



Right now I am driving a Porsche Panamera which I love!

iPhone, Android or BlackBerry?

I am currently transitioning from BlackBerry to iPhone.  So much of my business is done on-the-go and both phones have great advantages, so right now I am still using both.

What site/app do you check first when you wake up?



The first thing I check when I wake up is my e-mails.  I receive hundreds and hundreds of emails daily so staying on top of them and checking in with clients is the first priority! It is so important to stay constantly connected and in communication.
 
What was the last book you read? 



I just finished Silver Linings Playbook.  I saw the movie and loved it and heard that the book was a great read as well.
 
Name your favorite guilty pleasure.

My favorite guilty pleasure is rocky road ice cream.  There is nothing better on a hot Southern California day!
 
What’s one thing someone would never guess just by looking at you? 



I am really a thrill seeker and am always looking for the next adventure.  I have been white water rafting, zip lining, I love skiing black diamond trails and I hope to try sky diving someday soon!

Take a peek at some of Sally Forster Jones’ listings!

• $43,000,000 – N Kanan Dume Road, Malibu, CA
• $24,950,000 - South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA
• $13,900,000 – Evans Road, Pacific Palisades, CA
• $6,100,000 – Woodacre Road, Santa Monica, CA
• $5,495,000 – Estrondo Drive, Encino, CA

For Allen Iverson, the undersized but uber-talented former NBA All Star, it’s been a rough few months dealing with a recent divorce, losing a child custody battle, and a foreclosure on his Atlanta mansion. One could say that AI has left as many homes behind as he did defenders with his legendary cross over, which makes even the great Michael Jordan look bad.

Two of his former homes have recently hit the market. One is a beautiful home in the Villanova, PA area, and the other is listed here, which is an amazing property in Gladwyne, PA.

The Gladwyne property is gorgeous, but has a bit of an infamous reputation (like Allen Iverson’s play on the basketball court). It’s the same location where he hid out in 2002 after allegedly threatening two men with a handgun in a Philadelphia apartment, while searching for his wayward wife.

Considered one of the finest estates in the Philadelphia suburbs, his Gladwyne mansion is in cherry condition and recently renovated. The 1.91 acre lot is on an exclusive street in a prime area and features completely manicured grounds as you make your way up the private driveway. Visitors will be greeted by a voluminous, two-story reception hall that would be reminiscent of a basketball court if it weren’t for the custom finishes and marble floors.

There’s an elegant living room with a fireplace that features palladium windows and custom wood floors while the formal dining room is perfect for low key evenings or more formal dinners.

Any chef would be impressed with the kitchen, featuring wood-mode cabinetry, butler’s pantry, an expansive center island, and granite counters throughout, while being connected to a spacious breakfast room with views of the pool.

The family room features another fireplace and has additional custom wood floors that seem to bring the home together, while also offering French doors that lead to the deck and backyard.

You’ll find beautiful, custom, vaulted ceilings in the renovated library, which would be a perfect place to lose yourself in a book or review game tapes for your next NBA opponent.

On the 2nd floor is a luxurious master suite with a sitting room, walk-in custom closets and marble bathroom. Throughout the floor you will find four additional large bedrooms with bathrooms.

Despite the posh set-up throughout the rest of the house, it’s perhaps the lower level that will provide the most enjoyment, with features such as a home theater, exercise room, playroom and finally a wine cellar and tasting room. NBA All Star or not, it would be hard to miss a shot at this amazing property.

Nowadays you can find daddy-to-be Kanye West either starting a beef someone in Hollywood such as Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake or busy spending millions remodeling his new $13 million, 9,000 square-foot estate with girlfriend and baby mama Kim Kardashian. That being said, he obviously has no time to dedicate towards the small stuff such as his teeny 4,124 square-foot Hollywood Hills home – ain’t nobody got time for that!

Moving on to bigger and better things, Mr. West has relisted his estate for $3.3 million – a nearly $700,000 price cut from when he initially put it on the market in 2010. He first purchased the three-story modern property in December of 2003 for $1,750,000.

The three bedroom, four bath home is a dream for a fan of modern architecture, especially if you have an art collection that you would like to display. In fact, the home looks a lot like a gallery and is a fabulous place to entertain, whether you are drinking Corvoisier and going to the Grammy’s or not.

Images via Alexander Davis of Hilton & Hyland.

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The name Joe Montana is synonymous with Super Bowls, clutch performances, and San Francisco. He’s adored throughout the region for putting Northern California on the pro football map in the 1980′s, which is why his former townhouse — located beneath famed Coit Tower — is sure to garner interest from prospective renters.

If that’s not enough star power to grab your attention, it should also be noted that Joe previously ‘passed’ this place to his buddy, wide receiver Dwight Clark, when he ‘traded’ up and moved out. Clark, of course, was the recipient of one of Montana’s most famous passes — a play known as ‘The Catch‘ — which catapulted the upstart 49ers over the Dallas Cowboys into their first Super Bowl and effectively marked the beginning of a sports dynasty.

So where did a three-time Super Bowl MVP hang his helmet? In a one-bedroom, luxury townhouse at the prestigious 101 Lombard Street building, primely located at the foot of Telegraph Hill near the Financial District and the beautiful Embarcadero waterfront. When not walking to some of the world-class restaurants in the area, tenants can enjoy the resort-style swimming pool and hot tub and impressively well-manicured grounds.

The two-level unit features sweeping views of San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge: both visible from dual patios and a private roof deck, perfect for pondering the latest game plan (or financial plan, or dinner plan, depending on the profession of the new tenant). And with the America’s Cup events taking place in the Bay through 2013, this townhouse will provide a perfect vantage point.

The townhome’s main level features the kitchen, dining, and living rooms, as well as a wood-burning fireplace. On the lower level resides a bedroom suite which includes a walk-in closet, walk-out deck, and a bathroom with all the whistles and flags bells and whistles. Last but not least, go upstairs and find the private roof deck in all its glory.

Luxury extras include two Internet-enabled HD televisions with unlimited streaming movies, as well as an iPhone compatible speaker system, handmade furniture, original art, and a concierge and full-service doorman.

No matter what happens with Joe Montana’s former team, the 49ers, in Super Bowl XLVII, the person who lands this townhouse will truly be a winner.

Love him or hate him – there’s no in between – Barry Bonds is one of the biggest sports characters of the last two decades. Rocketing to superstardom in Pittsburgh and helping make a forlorn franchise a regular in the playoffs while winning his first league MVP award, Bonds made it clear he had all the tools to become one of the greats. He took his talents back to Northern California in 1993, where he was born and raised, to play for the San Francisco Giants and resurrected that franchise while winning 6 additional MVP awards (4 in a row at one point), leading the team to the World Series in 2002, and cementing his place in baseball history. Of course, this was before the BALCO scandal and perjury investigation which has cast a shadow over Bonds’ mountain of accomplishments to the chagrin of some and the delight of others. So where does a sultan of swat live?

What can possibly be a large enough space for a larger than life character such as Bonds? Well, how about a 17,100 square foot palace of a home in Beverly Hills?

Word on the street is that Barry is putting his expansive, fully furnished property on the market for a cool $25 million. So what does the home of a baseball superstar offer? Well to start, 7 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, and a two-story guest house, all situated on a manicured property modeled after a fine Italian Villa, from the olive tree-lined private drive to the Tuscan-style architecture.

The features of the home, like Barry’s 73 home runs in a single season, boggle the mind. With high ceilings up to 30 feet high throughout the grand living and family rooms and special details such as Italian floors and hand-painted murals, it’s a dazzling home. The gourmet kitchen (of course, this is a Tuscan-style home right?), feeds into a roomy dining room that is perfect for entertaining.

Should we stop there? Well, Barry didn’t stop playing until he was 43 and still a dominating hitter, so we’ll keep going. The rest of the home includes a walnut-paneled office and custom home movie theater with seating for 12. If you’re feeling tense the home also features a full service spa, including steam room, jacuzzi and body therapy rooms.

It wouldn’t be California living without some outdoor fun and this home delivers. There’s a full outdoor kitchen with pizza oven and wet bar, manicured lawn, swimming pool, cabana, and multi-use sport court.

In short, this home should be in the hall of fame. Maybe Barry too?

Check out the full listing from The Agency here.

The famed La Mesa Estate, also known as “The House of Rock,” is now for sale for $22 Million! Originally the longtime home of the legendary Katheryn Grayson, it was purchased by top designer Elaine Culotti and converted into a one-of-a-kind musical masterpiece. With the help of top designers such as Ralph Pucci, David Bromstad, Susan Cohen, Sami Hayek, and Kyle Schuneman, Culotti restored many of the home’s original Old-World hallmarks and infused musical and state-of-the-art elements that make this home perfect for today’s cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Incredible home amenities include a spacious entertaining kitchen; his-and-hers master closets and baths; rooms bathed in natural light; forward-thinking home automation and audiovisual; a huge grassy yard with extraordinary flush-edge infinity pool overlooking the historic Riviera Country Club; a detached 2-bedroom guesthouse; and a soon-to-be-completed home theater.

According to the listing agent, Susan Pekich of The Agency, three words to describe the estate are “innovative, inspiring, and iconic.” Take one peek at the images, or step inside this estate, and you’ll know just what she’s talking about. While the home is incredible, the neighborhood makes the $22-million-dollar price tag worth it. The “House of Rock” is on one of the best streets in Santa Monica and overlooks the 13th green of the Riviera Country Club. There aren’t many estates in the beachside community of Santa Monica, so the House of Rock’s size and stature sure stands out in the area.  And adding a nice counterpoint to the Californian home are the trees lining La Mesa Drive, which lend a very “East-Coast-neighborhood vibe.”