Luxe Living

Reformed bad boy Christian Slater has just spent $2.2 million on a Italian-style villa in Coconut Grove, Florida. The property is a meticulously renovated 1926 estate on a lush, gated and secure street in the warm-weather, vacation home mecca of Coconut Grove, FL. The home, named ”Villa Dolce Far Niente” truly lives up to its name: an estate of blissful idleness. Perfect for lounging and enjoying the beautiful Florida weather.

The 3,440 square-foot property welcomes you with a long brick driveway and through a grand foyer entry. Dark hardwood floors lead you through arched doorways and french doors. An all-white eat-in kitchen includes statuary marble floors and stainless steel appliances. The formal living room features a fireplace and a dramatic dining room framed by arched mahogany french doors leading out to a very green and private outdoor area with patio and large heated pool.

Beyond the pool, a private, self-contained guesthouse has a full bedroom setup with a luxurious steam-shower in the bathroom.

Not too shabby, Mr. Slater.

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.

Ray Lewis, the once legally embattled NFL champion who retired from the Baltimore Ravens last month, is selling a stunning South Florida mansion. The newly minted Super Bowl champ just placed his dramatic oceanfront estate in Highland Beach, Florida on the market for $4,995,000. Lewis’ new gig on ESPN, which will include regular appearances on Sunday and Monday night shows, some pregame spots on Sundays and occasional SportsCenter shows, means he’ll be spending his “retirement” in ESPN’s Bristol, CT headquarters, rather than lazy days on the beach.

Lewis’ for-sale home in a prime Florida neighborhood comes complete with endless ocean views, seven-bedrooms, eight-and-a-half-baths, a wineroom, office and fourth floor roofdeck. The gourmet kitchen is equipped with state-of-the-art Thermador and Sub-Zero appliances.

Upon opening the front door you are amazed at the ocean and in awe of the wall of windows and views that surround. Large living and entertaining areas are perfect for formal or more casual beachfront entertaining. The master bedroom has a dual-door entrance, sitting area and closet. The master bath incudes his-and-hers sinks and a glamourous vanity area, large jacuzzi style tub, shower and water closet.

All bedrooms have their own private bathrooms and are situated nicely throughout the home. Enjoy evenings overlooking the ocean from the top floor roof deck with elevator access, barbeque area and granite bar for serving and dining.

For once in his career, Derek Jeter is sliding away from home. His longtime New York City home, to be exact. Just this week, Jeter sold his 88th-floor penthouse to Brazilian business man Claudio Ferro for $15.5 million, as first reported by the New York Post.

Jeter bought the penthouse pad at Trump Tower directly from Donald Trump himself for $12.72 million in 2001. After almost a decade in the penthouse, he listed the East Side apartment for $20 million in 2010. No buyer stepped up to the plate and Jeter made the call to take it off the market. In April, the bonafide bachelor pad was back with a lower asking price – $17.95 million. Jeter didn’t get his full asking price for the home, but it was in no way a botched play. Jeter’s final sales price was still a cool $3 million more than what he paid for it.

So now the home is being traded to Ferro, and he’s getting an all-star abode! The 88th floor penthouse is set high amidst the tallest residential building on the eastside, the Trump World Tower. The location offers un-paralleled views of the Manhattan skyline and this particular penthouse has a bird’s eye view of the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Bank of America building, One World Trade and other key landmarked buildings framed by the Brooklyn, Williamsburg and Verrazano Bridges and the East & Hudson Rivers – the picturesque views are unsurpassed. Complimenting the views – Jeter’s former penthouse features 16 foot floor-to-ceiling windows, 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths with 77 feet in length of grand entertaining space encompassing the living room, billiards room and formal dining room. A Creston system controls the lighting, audio, video and privacy shades with one touch of a button. Adding warmth and texture to the apartment is a wood burning fireplace, ultra-suede wallpaper, slate mantle and hardwood flooring.

Word on the street is that Jeter hasn’t yet put down more of his millions on a new place. He’s been staying under the radar and hopping from hotel-to-hotel until he finds another bachelor pad. But don’t worry about him not having a place to call home. He still owns this sprawling estate in Florida.

Interested in living in a 15,000 square foot home situated on it’s own mini-peninsula? Then Coral Gables has the place for you.

Relax in style as you soak up some sun and take in the view from this lush resort-style estate. Or maybe you want to take the boat for a spin from one of the two docks on the property? Either way, life is good when you are living on the water.

Designed by Chris Fergis and built by Coastal Construction in 1996, this ridiculous 8 bedroom, 10 full and 2 partial bathroom estate has it all. The home boasts a theater, game room and shooting range as well as a gorgeous cherry wood library and observatory for scanning the heavens, with outdoor amenities including a heated pool and spa, along with multiple grottos and almost 1,000 feet of prime waterfront.

Guess Hogan doesn’t know best after all, at least when it comes to real estate. Former Wrestlemania super-star, Hulk Hogan (real name: Terry Bollea) sold his 17,145 square foot Tudor-style mansion in Bellaire, FL for $6.2 million. The property has been on and off the market since 2006 and was originally listed for $25 million, then discounted to $9.24 million in July 2011.

Formally the set of the Hogan family’s short-lived VH1 reality TV show, “Hogan Knows Best,” this 8-bedroom, 5 full /3 partial bathroom single family home was originally built in 1996. It sits on an acre and a half of land,  high on a bluff with views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Clearwater Pass to the Gulf of Mexico.

The new owner, who ever he/she may be, must love water sports because this home caters to swimmers and boat-lovers alike. The property features a beautifully landscaped pool and spa, as well as a dock and two boat lifts and “space for a personal watercraft” – a.k.a you can park your yacht here, no questions asked.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has a new place to call home! On February 29, 2012, the former WWE superstar turned legit Hollywood actor, closed on the purchase of a $3,450,000 6 bedroom, 6 bath, 13,153 square foot estate in Southwest Ranches, Florida. He made the purchase from Miami Dolphins lineman Vernon Carey, who previously resided in the home with his wife and three children.

Described as “grandiose,” the home is a single-story estate on a 96,439 square foot lot. The gated estate features a circular driveway adorned with a fountain leading to the grand entrance.  The home features top-of-the-line appliances, a chef’s kitchen and butler’s pantry, home theater with kitschy ticket booth, a resort-style pool with summer kitchen (perfect for warm Florida nights), a gym, a en-suite master bedroom.

Former Seattle SuperSonic and Orlando Magic forward, Rashard Lewis, who is now with the Washington Wizards, is selling his Winter Park, FL house. Rashard purchased his home back in October of 2007 for $4,495,000 and he is now currently selling it for $3,950,000 – an immediate loss of $545,000, if he gets full asking price on the home.

While Lewis lived in Florida and played for the Orlando Magic, he lived in this stunning ‘Santa Barbara’ style home with expansive rooms detailed with river washed wood beams, Peruvian travertine and a reclaimed terra cotta roof. The home boasts 5 bedrooms, including 2 master suites, as well as 5 full and 2 half baths. The master suite has a beautiful view of the gardens and the master bath features a rain shower, warming drawer for towels, and an oversized closet with organizers. A hidden passage to the office completes the master wing. A second master suite is located upstairs along with 3 guest suites; all complete with crown moulding, niches, and beautifully detailed baths. An outdoor cigar terrace adjoins the “gentlemen’s lounge” with theatre, and the home features an extraordinary kitchen with every top-of-the-line amenity.

The estate is gated and situated on a .58 acre lot, with a 3 car garage and extended parking space on a Chinese quartzite driveway. Other amenities include a Lutron lighting system and a 1,200 bottle wine room. Outdoor living includes a pool with water deck, swim shelf and fire pits.

Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, NFL Legend Terry Bradshaw is selling his custom-built, never-lived-in estate in the Concession development. Boasting a Jack Nicklaus designed course, named “Best New Private Course in 2006″ by Golf Digest magazine, the Concession is an exclusive community that features lake and preserve views. Bradshaw’s amazing, never-lived-in custom home features loads of custom millwork, a very private greenbelt lot and an amazing pool area with elevated spa and outdoor fireplace for daytime and evening relaxation and enjoyment. The master suite is massive, with his-and-hers baths and walk in closets. For visitors, the home boasts a private, detached guest suite. The home also features Leviton lighting systems, Creston whole house entertainment, a dedicated refrigerated wine room and Viking appliances. Other details include 12-inch baseboards, unbelievable crown molding, a gas fireplace, coffered and volume ceilings and a beautiful summer kitchen.

It’s not all sprawling mansions, sky-high penthouses or luxury pied-a-terres for the rich and famous – sometimes they like to spend a little time out on the ranch. Far, far away from the craziness of Hollywood or the hectic hustle and bustle of New York City, celebs crave a little downtime underneath the stars and away from the smog. For your viewing pleasure, we’ve put together a list of 5 stellar celeb-owned ranches:

Whoopi Goldberg’s Marlboro Vermont Colonial Ranch & Farm

On 745 acres, the Whoopi Goldberg-owned Robinson-Winchester Farm was completely renovated and remodeled in 2004 to exceptional standards. No expense was spared in the renovations from the beautiful 1790 colonial home to the multiple out buildings and barns and the 2 bedroom bunkhouse.The property features a tremendous equestrian facility and 15 miles of groomed woodland trails and 67+ acres of open pasture. The private estate also comes with conserved land.

Dennis Quaid Selling Sprawling Emigrant, Montana Estate for $14M

On 418 acres in Emigrant, Montana, Dennis Quaid’s ranch is on the market for $14,000,000. Located in the Paradise Valley of Southwest Montana, this ranch has it all: prime fishing for approximately 2 miles on both sides of Six Mile Creek and two ponds, horseback riding on the ranch and in the National Forest adjoining the ranch. Incredible views abound from a private and beautiful owners’ residence. The property features a 3-bedroom, 4-bathroom main home, as well as 4 guest houses, a ranch manager’s home and horse facilities.

Carole King Lists Robinson Bar Ranch in Stanley, Idaho for $16M

It isn’t often that a property this unique comes up for sale. The deeded property base and improvements provide security and comfort in the midst of a truly wild area managed by the USFS. The ranch is easily accessible by car and within a 20-minute drive to Stanley, Idaho and an hour-and-a-quarter drive to Sun Valley. The listing claims that “when you close the ranch gate behind you, the clock is turned back to another time and the incredible soul of this place will change your life.”

Bill Gates’ Florida Equestrian Rental

While we can’t exactly qualify this property as a down-home ranch, it makes the list for it’s sprawling land and incredible luxury equestrian facilities. Currently on the market for $12,999,000, this Wellington, Florida home is the current winter rental residence of Microsoft founder Bill Gates. According to reports, Gates is ponying up $600,000 a month to rent the property while his daughter is in town competing in the Winter Equestrian Festival, a five-month-long event. While occupying the property, the Gates family will enjoy an ultra-luxry main residence and a state-of-the-art barn.

Sheryl Crow’s Tennessee Ranch

Sheryl Crow has been trying to sell her College Grove, Tennessee ranch since 2010. The home had a recent status change to “off-the-market,” which hopefully means Ms. Crow was able to send the property out to pasture and onto a new owner. Luxe Living recently wrote about how she had been trying to unload the equestrian estate named Cross Creek Farm since early 2010, to no success. She even put the pastoral palace up for auction in November of 2010 with a minimum bid of $1,000,000. The auction was a flop, and the home toiled on the open market for months with a $4,500,000 price tag – a 40% price cut from its original list price. The hard-to-sell property is no eye-sore – it’s actually a beautiful 150-acre estate that includes a full equestrian facility with a 14 stall barn and indoor riding arena.