Luxe Living

Kanye West and reality star girlfriend Kim Kardashian may be looking to name their unborn child “North,” however, West’s buyer of his $3.3 million dollar Hollywood Hills home has gone south. A Hollywood insider has whispered to us that Kanye’s unique, 4,124 square-foot estate, that was relisted just last month, has quickly gone in and out of escrow in a matter of weeks. Will Kanye have to ramble up his real estate “clique” and relist yet again or will he put it aside for now and just focus on his new $13 million, 9,000 square-foot property?

Located in the coveted Hollywood Hills, 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. He first purchased the three-story modern property in December of 2003 for $1,750,000.

Images via Alexander Davis of Hilton & Hyland.

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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NFL great Jerry Rice has recently re-listed his massive 14,000 square-foot Atherton, CA home for a reduced price of $10.5 million. According to property records, Rice first purchased the land in 2001 for just $2.1 million. After building on the property, he listed it for sale in 2007 for $22 million, then once again in July of this year for $13.88 million. After a few million in price cuts, this state-of-the-art mansion is tackling the real estate market yet again, seeking a new owner – preferably a tech savvy candidate that would take advantage of all its bells and whistles.

Located in California’s Bay Area, this estate is a tech mogul’s dream come true. Made for a champion, the seven-bedroom, eight full, and three partial bath estate comes with a built-in elevator to access its three-levels, a seven-car-garage, and $2 million dollars worth of installed electronics, including a cutting edge security system and exquisite home theater. Sitting in one of the priciest zip codes in Silicon Valley, this estate is a tech hub within a tech hub. Fully equipped with automated smartphone capabilities, residents have the capability to remotely control various appliances and security via mobile, from anywhere in the world. After tearing down the original home in 2001, and building this “smart home” masterpiece, it seems Rice was looking to add tremendous property value. It’s no doubt he clearly went all….the….way.

Versace limestone floors, an aquarium, gym, sauna, and Swarovski crystal accents glam up the property, offering stunning elegance throughout. To appeal to the inner chef in us all, the over-the-top gourmet kitchen includes the latest stainless appliances, a deep fryer, steamer, and pizza oven. The spectacular exterior grounds offer a large entertainment area with a massive pool, Jacuzzi tub,  outdoor built-in barbecue, gazebo with built-in heat lamps, and large grass area.

The New York City penthouse which once housed the world-famous fashion mogul Calvin Klein is making its second on-the-market debut–this time for $35 million, reports The New York Times. The current owner Steve Gottlieb, who previously put the property on the market in 2008, was a neighbor to Klein and currently resides on the 18th floor below the property. He purchased the space for $8.6 million from the designer himself, and has since then been utilizing it as a party/event room.

Over the years, Mr. Klein coveted the 5,000 square-foot duplex so much that he owned it twice – apparently nothing could come between him and his penthouse.  During his first ownership in the 80’s, Klein upgraded the home by installing a hot-tub on the roof-top terrace. After purchasing it a second time in the 90′s, he tore down the interior walls and created a larger, open living space with a strong minimalist design, a common theme seen throughout his fashion line and world-famous ads.

Mr. Gottlieb had major plans for his two 55 Central Park West penthouses, despite only using the upstairs property for party festivities for the past dozen years. His long-term plans included transforming the space into a three-bedroom family residence with a top-floor entertainment area, highlighted by a large corner terrace and fireplace. After investing around $5 million into renovations, Mr. Gottlieb is over his “Obsession,” and is ready to find a buyer.

The grand, two-level duplex penthouse includes twelve rooms, four bedrooms, and four and a half baths, totaling over 5,000 square feet, 300 of which border Central Park. Dramatic glass walls allow for natural sunlight to illuminate all throughout, and two large terraces perch you right over the park. A sprawling master suite with fireplace overlooks the Eastern and Northern terraces, and includes French Doors opening to the East-facing wrap terrace. Each spacious bedroom includes ample closets and full baths, en suite. The minimal design gives prospective buyers a fresh canvas to work with, allowing for original ideas and design to shine through this glass masterpiece onto all of New York.

Listing agents include John Burger of Brown Harris Stevens and Raphael De Niro and Howard Margolis of Prudential Douglas Elliman.

As part of one of the biggest trades in baseball history, the Los Angeles Dodgers closed a huge nine-player swap with the Boston Red Sox earlier this fall, acquiring Boston’s star left fielder Carl Crawford. Crawford, a former four-time All-Star for the Tampa Bay Rays, hit a solid .282 with Boston during his early 2012 season before being hit with news of the trade and shipped off to LA  mid-season.

For the past few months the left-hander has been on the disabled list recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery, a very common baseball injury. He has also been busy becoming acquainted with a completely new team, new city and new home due to another common occurrence in the professional baseball world: a sudden cross-country trade. Fast-forward to the MLB’s playoff-month of October and the Los Angeles Dodgers are out of the running, now switching gears to prep for a new 2013 season. Crawford too is now ready to officially start over in California as it is confirmed he has listed his Wellesley, Massachusetts mansion for an asking price of $2.99 million.

This 7,426 square-foot estate has New England-style charm on the exterior and a contemporary, luxury design on the interior. Custom built just a year ago in 2011, the home sits on a privately gated cul-de-sac in historic Wellesley, Massachusetts, an expensive suburb of Boston that features high-priced properties with an average listing price of $1.6 million. The ultra-private living quarters offer five bedrooms, six baths and a three car garage. The estate’s interior is professionally designed with warm, nude color schemes gracing the walls and flooring, while splashes of bright greens, reds and browns on the furnishings accentuate the space and add some spicy personality to each room. But beautiful interior décor will not go to waste – according to the listing, buyers may purchase completely furnished!

Other ultra-luxe amenities include: a home theater, game room, an in-house barber shop, three fireplaces, an enormous master suite, and last but definitely not least, an extra large exercise room with batting cage. Like other athlete and celeb properties, this estate does not disappoint!

We all know relationships can be a roller coaster ride, especially in Hollywood, and when relationships or marriages come to a screeching halt, sadly we very often see the couple letting go of a huge asset – their home. Unfortunately that is the case with two-time Oscar-winning actress Hillary Swank. Let’s jump into the ring and take a look back at the Million Dollar Baby star’s recent love affair with John Campisi and her Pacific Palisades estate.

According to property records, Swank purchased the ocean-view Pacific Palisades property for $5.8 million in March 2007, around the same time she began dating her then agent, John Campisi. Five long years of business, pleasure and Hollywood bliss passed until news of a recent split hit newsstands in May of this year. After a few months of silence it looks like it’s time to start letting go.

Fast forwarding to present day, Swank is looking to unload her semi-swanky pad for more than just a million dollars, baby. Try a $9,495,000 price tag.

Built in 1928 and designed by Mark Zeff,  the gated six-bedroom, six and a half bath estate sits in a coveted Los Angeles neighborhood known for housing noted celebs on every other block. Hardwood and Mosaic tile flooring line the 6,722 square-foot property, pairing well with Mediterranean-style arched French doors and walls. Glass walls allow plenty of natural sunlight to shine through the open space and warm Spanish-style textures and colors add to the European charm. According to the listing, the gourmet kitchen features a center island, state-of-the-art appliances, dining area seating 16-20 guests with adjacent family room. The downstairs patio and master suite balcony offer stunning ocean views.  The lower level features a lounge with wet bar, state of the art surround sound theater with custom seating for 17 guests and private cigar room and wine cellar.

Additionally the property features a guest bedroom, gym, powder room and wonderful outdoor entertaining area with fire pit, swimming pool, spa.

“Back to school, back to school,  to prove to Dad that I’m not a fool…” Although many kids would rather be home watching school classics like Billy Madison today, it’s back to school they go as a new school year begins for many students across the country!

Even though this time of year may bring back those back-to-school blues, little do students realize, that their parents probably jumped through hoops to get Junior into the best school district possible – and more likely than not, this involved a house hunt and a big move before he or she turned 5 years old.

In the spirit of learning and moving for a good school, we are shining our Luxe Living lens on Dallas, TX – home of America’s best public high school. Recently, US World News & Report ranked The School for the Talented and Gifted the top public high school in the nation and awarded it a gold ranking for its test scores, awards, school data and teaching staff– all of which are said to foster the best well rounded, college-ready students.

For parents in the Great State of Texas who love a little glitter in their lives, that’s good news. From what we hear, Dallas is a growing luxury real estate destination with its downtown area emerging as an up-and-coming tech hub and its flourishing restaurant and shopping scene reeling in the big spenders. With an average listing price of $502,534, it’s on the high end of the real estate scale and this featured $29.5 million, 10.5 acre, 5-bedroom and 10-bath Dallas Mt. Vernon landmark sure does its part to bring up the average.

This old-world style property offers historical charm with a splash of modern renovation. Dark hardwoods line the floors, and crown molding can be found in the study with fireplace and built-in library, bringing the property’s antique personality to life. The three-level open floor plan allows for plenty of natural light throughout and can be enjoyed in any part of the home. The renovated kitchen offers an extra large center island and is surrounded by dark wooden cabinets and a lovely brick arch over a stainless steel stove.

A large heated pool, putting green, lighted tennis courts, and 4-lane bowling center with mini diner allow for a hardworking Dallas student to sit back and relish in a fabulous Texan escape right in the comfort of their own home. When hitting the books, one can catch up on some reading on a lovely country-style porch overlooking the 10.5 acre grounds or in one of the many cozy studies with built-in fireplaces.

Additional luxe amenities include an elevator, 2-story guesthouse, wine storage, 16-car garage and outdoor entertainment area with gazebo, two fireplaces and pizza oven.