Luxe Living

The rumor mill is running on all cylinders over the news that the with-child duo of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have just dropped about $11 million on a new Mediterranean mansion in Bel Air. TMZ first broke the news, saying “Kim and Kanye made the deal a few weeks ago … and they’ve already gutted it and are designing a 14,000-square-foot dream home in its place. The new home will be an Italian-style villa  … with a gym, movie theater, full hair and makeup salon, bowling alley, basketball court, indoor and outdoor pool … oh and probably a baby nursery.”

If this is indeed K & K’s new krib, there’s no doubt that they’ll make some changes to the interior. According to The Real Estalker, Kanye’s current and former residences are more sleek and contemporary than this home. Kim has always had a flair for the flamboyant, so this house looks more her style than his. It’s likely that we’ll eventually find out what the unwed pair do to the home when the reality TV cameras inevitably invade the home.

For now, we’ll chew on this rumor a little more, wait for the property records to officially come through, and review some of the details on their rumored abode.

According to the listing, the three-quarter-acre estate is situated on a view-commanding ridgeline. Designed by architect Ron Firestone, custom craftsmanship and old world details are combined with every modern amenity. Hand forged wrought iron and glass front doors open up to the two story formal entry with black walnut parquet floors. A two-story living room, flanked by Cantera stone columns, overlooks the rear grounds and mountains beyond. The great room includes wide-planked floors, beamed ceilings, a stone fireplace, bar, and stone wine cellar. The library serves as a warm respite, detailed in rich woods and a burgundy marble fireplace. The master suite has spectacular views from every window, a fireplace, sitting room, large walk-in closet, and changing area. The master bathroom has large steam shower, spa tub, and even a massage room. The massive backyard is a dream with sweeping lawns, an infinity edged pool, and a loggia that serves as an outdoor living room and kitchen. Mercy!

Michael Eisner, the man who led Disney as CEO from 1984 until 2005, has just spent $8,200,000 on a stunning estate right next door to his current home in Bel Air. According to public records, Eisner bought the home through a trust and closed on the deal on December 17, 2012.

The home he currently lives in is adjacent to the newly-purchased property, which makes us wonder whether he’ll adjoin the homes and make one large residential compound, or whether one of his children will move in and be a stone’s throw away from dear ole dad!  Eisner has a history of creating massive residential compounds. He also owns a compound on the Encinal bluffs in Malibu, made up of 4 parcels on Pacific Coast Highway.

Public records also show that Eisner spent $1,279,500 on his original six-bedroom, six-bathroom, 12,500 square foot home way back in August 1979.

So what did he just buy from his neighbors for $8.2 million? The just-purchased, next door home is a timeless 1928 Tudor on one acre . The property features a main house, guest house, pool and expansive grounds. The main house’s features include leaded glass windows, hardwood flooring, whitewashed brick, half-beam exterior and interior detail and cross-gabled roof lines. The estate is just inside the historic and East Gate of Bel Air.

Selling his beautiful Bel Air abode has been no laughing matter for the multi-talented, Oscar-nominated actor, writer, directer and all around funnyman, Albert Brooks. Originally listed in March of this year, Brooks is asking $6,995,000 for the secluded home.

The home has a show business history, having been owned by Merv Griffin before being purchased by Brooks for $3,650,000 in 1992, following his critically acclaimed star performance alongside the legendary Meryl Streep, in Defending Your Life. And anyone can see why a Hollywood star would be interested in such an exclusive, tucked away retreat.

Located on over 2 acres, featuring mature trees and lots of privacy, the property is accessed via a gated private drive. The 5,000 square foot home including 4 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, is entered through the dramatic living room, which features wood-paneled ceilings over 20 feet high, skylights and massive glass walls that blur the distinction between the spacious home and the well manicured property surrounding it.

Outside there is a tennis court and a large grassy area that could play host to any number of events, either birthday parties or warm summer evening cocktail parties. But the highlight is the pristine infinity pool that looks out over a perfect Los Angeles view.

The Agency, the new luxury real estate brokerage with some of the most incredible and unique listings in the world, has added another stunning property to their for-sale roster: 655 Sarbonne Road in Bel Air.

Located in prestigious lower Bel Air and listed for $16,495,000 by Mauricio Umansky, this stunning property overlooks the Bel Air Country Club and boasts both city and ocean views. Because it back right up to the prestigious Bel Air country club, the home has is both quiet and ultra private – a rarity in this part of Los Angeles.

As you enter into a grand 2-story entry hall that will take your breath away, and you’ll be amazed by the craftsmanship throughout this home. Featuring 7 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms of the finest quality and design, this estate was built for the most discriminating client. It really does have it all. The home includes an incredible master suite with “his” and “her” closets, large gourmet kitchen that opens to a gorgeous family room with fireplace, grand and elegant living room, wood-paneled double library, and spacious dining room with incredible ceilings. The home has a great flow for entertaining, perfect for those that enjoy the indoor/ outdoor Californian lifestyle.

The exterior features a grand cabana with every amenity, a sparkling heated pool, sport court, and pristine manicured lawns. The home clocks in at approximately 14,000 square feet on a 37,000 square foot. lot. Built in 2004, the home sparkles with newness and modern touches, but it was also designed with the classic elements and grandeur of the iconic real estate within Bel Air.

The Agency was founded by Mauricio Umansky, who gained national notoriety on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Umansky was recently recognized by The Wall Street Journal as the #1 top-producing real estate agent in Southern California and #7 in the U.S. Joining him in the founding of The Agency are design and architectural specialists Billy Rose and Blair Chang, whose Rose + Chang team was named multiple times as one of the Top 100 U.S. real estate sales teams by The Wall Street Journal. Throughout Los Angeles, you can see The Agency for-sale signs on incredible luxury properties.

NFL star Michael Strahan is making moves in the real estate game. According to The Los Angeles Times, he has recently purchased a 1-acre Bel-Air estate for $7.9 million. Along with his new digs, the FOX NFL analyst and former NFL Super Bowl champ also has a new gig: co-hosting with Kelly Ripa on “LIVE! With Kelly and Michael.”

While he has his new home and TV-hosting job locked and loaded, there’s been word of him “letting go” of a few other personal and real estate relationships. According to a few media outlets, Strahan reportedly broke off his three-year engagement to his ”Vh1 Exes” reality star fiance Nicole Murphy after discovering an “inappropriate” text exchange with R&B artist London Yalor. He is also currently parting ways with a 2,560 square-foot, three-bedroom, three and a half bath Hermosa Beach, CA townhome for $1.8 million. Despite multiple news headlines, we can only confirm one of these breakups as true -the couple has been seen on Twitter laughing at break-up/cheating rumors and confirming they’re still going strong.

Strahan’s new Los Angeles home is quite far from his new New York City-based TV-hosting gig, however based on The Los Angeles Times’ description of the home, it sounds like a perfect place to relax during a warm October Indian Summer night in LA. Built in 1926, the five-bedroom, six and a half bath estate features Mediterranean influences throughout with  courtyard entry, glass walls, theater and bar. Additionally the 1-acre home includes a gym, sauna, detached guesthouse and swimming pool.

Images via MLS.

With Euro Cup 2012 well underway, and Spain’s ongoing success in the tournament, maybe you caught a little Spanish fever? If you’re in the market for a fine looking Spanish-Style mansion, which are most popular in cities across the American Southwest and Southern California, look no further than Los Angeles. In this town of countless warm, sunny days and fabulous parties, Spanish-Style homes seamlessly blend the inside with the outside and use thick masonry walls coated in stucco and red tile roofs to provide cool comfort and relaxation for family, friends and entertaining. One such property, which can be found on the outskirts of exclusive Bel Air, embodies the best of all .

Gated and private, this Beautiful Spanish-Style Estate with over 9,200 sq.ft. of living space is located on one of the most prominent streets in Lower Bel Air and sited on almost 35,000 sq.ft. of verdant grounds overlooking the Bel Air Country Club golf course.

Enter the estate to a grand 2-story, light-filled foyer. Spacious public rooms include the lovely formal living room, grand formal dining room, library, and family room. The large kitchen is a chef’s dream with professional Viking and Traulsen appliances, center island, and separate breakfast area. The 2nd level of the estate houses all 6 bedrooms, all en suite, including the luxurious master suite with fireplace, sitting area, separate office, and dual baths and walk-in closets. The lower level of the home offers great space for entertaining with media and game room. The grounds are extraordinary with pool, spa, lawns, mature trees, Japanese meditation garden, and European garden with picturesque domed arbor.

So, whether you are living and dying with each moment from Spain’s run to the Euro Cup 2012 championship, or you simply have good taste, this mansion is clearly a goal.

Got $21.5M and want to drive into the life of luxury? We have the house for you.

Just listed in Bel Air, CA is this stunning $21,500,000 brand new French Estate with 7-bedrooms, 11-bathrooms and approximately 17,000 square feet on one of the most prestigious streets in lower Bel Air. This sprawling and impressive estate boasts everything one could possibly ask for sophisticated modern living; including a state-of-the-art movie theater, wine cellar, cigar room, indoor pool and spa, enormous master suite with dual baths and spectacular 2-story closets, security room, outstanding gourmet kitchen, guest house, fabulous outdoor spaces with pool and barbeque area, and subterranean garage parking for 6-10 cars – perfect for a serious car enthusiast. Gated and set on a large lot, the breathtaking grounds are lushly landscaped and offer the utmost in privacy. This stunning home has been masterfully designed to the very last detail.

What’s your favorite room in this home?

1,2,3,4,5…no, we’re not running through basic math – we’re tallying up the number of times that Meg Ryan has listed her Bel Air mansion on Stradella Road for sale. Just this week, the ever-in-the-know Real Estalker broke the news that Ms. Ryan was trying her luck again in the real estate game by listing her 6 bedroom, 7 bathroom, 6,877 square foot home for a new, improved and much lower asking price of $11,400,000.

In 2008, Ryan had the home listed for an optimistic $19,500,000. With no buyers at that price, the asking fell to $14,200,000 and was eventually converted to a $40,000-a-month lease. Ryan has been seen spending much of her time in New York City with her equally-famous musician man-friend John Mellencamp, and she reportedly leases in the SoHo neighborhood.

Now ready to officially say goodbye to the unsellable stunner, Ryan is looking for a well-heeled buyer who wants to get mail at her longtime address. The home’s listing describes it as a museum quality restoration of a classic spanish estate situated on a promontory with wide open city and ocean views across layers of greenery. Wonderful architecture, resort-like grounds and complete privacy make this home perfect for the celebrity set. The interior features stenciled and painted wood ceilings, tiles, ironwork, rich wood floors, and arches. There are French doors throughout that open to a loggia, outdoor dining pavilion and expansive lawn and pool. Other home highlights include a stunning kitchen, generous living room  and dining Room, separate bar room, 2 family rooms and a screening room.

Property records show Meg Ryan purchased her Bel Air mansion in October 2000 for $8,500,000.

One of the most prolific celeb real estate buyers and sellers is at it again – Miss Jennifer Aniston has reportedly plopped down a whopping $21,000,000 for a 3+ acre Bel Air mansion that boasts 8,500 square feet of living space, 4 bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms. According to TMZ, Aniston was under contract to purchase the home and was getting title on the home today!

Designed by famed architect A. Quincy Jones, the house has been meticulously restored to be one of the city’s most beautiful mid-century mansions. Perched high on a promontory, the home has unobstructed 300-degree city and ocean views. It’s rare to find a home on that large of a lot in the start-studded neighborhood of Bel Air. At over 3 acres acres and 8,500 square feet, it’s perfect for entertaining or an expanding family. The property also has a separate guest house, swimming pool and vineyards.

While public records haven’t yet surfaced confirming the purchase, we’re inclined to believe that Jen Aniston would buy a home as magnificent as this one. She’s an architecture buff (just like ex-hubby Brad Pitt) and was without a trophy Los Angeles property since she sold her immense Beverly Hills crib last year for $38,000,000.

Real estate price reductions are a reality in this housing market, and not even the rich and famous are immune. The latest high-profile price chop belongs to Zsa Zsa Gabor and husband Frédéric Prinz von Anhalt, who just slashed $2,100,000 off the asking price of an iconic Hollywood Regency style mansion in Bel Air. Originally listed for $15,000,000 in June of 2011, the mansion is where Zsa Zsa has called home since 1974. That’s quite the lengthy run for a Zsa Zsa, who famously married nine times and once said “I am a marvelous housekeeper: Every time I leave a man I keep his house.”

While the mansion has been Zsa Zsa’s longest term relationship in her life, it’s time to downsize and simplify. No small property, the mansion is on a gated 1+ acre promontory in prime Bel Air behind the East Gate on Bel Air Road, with stunning views of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, the ocean and Catalina Island.

A gracious and elegant oval shaped formal entryway, grand formal sitting room with antique French fireplace, and an enormous formal dining room are perfect for elegant evening entertaining with spectacular views of the city. Exquisite French details and moldings run throughout the house, as well as high ceilings, and glamorous French doors. A spacious master suite features a huge bathroom and double sized two-room closet. Two additional guest bedrooms, maid’s room, breakfast room, kitchen with butlers pantry and staff quarters complete the massive estate. In true Old Hollywood fashion, the estate has a bonus party room with wet bar, powder room, and guest bedroom suite on the second floor.