Luxe Living

Jessica Simpson may want two kids, but she definitely doesn’t want two houses. After buying Ozzy and Sharon Osbournes’ stunning Hidden Hills estate, she’s listed her longtime Beverly Hills home for $7,995,000!

Simpson purchased the 5-bedroom, 6 bathroom, 5,500 square-foot estate on December 16, 2005, right after she announced to the world that she and husband Nick Lachey were divorcing. She originally paid $5,275,000.

Simpson’s, fiance Eric Johnson and baby girl Maxwell have been living as one happy family in the home for the past few years, but now they’re ready to sell the estate off and nest in their new Hidden Hills home.

Built in 1991, the custom home is evocative of the stylish real estate found in the Hamptons and is located in one of the most private, guarded celebrity enclaves. The property is walled and gated, with a stone courtyard that leads to a koi pond.

Inside, high ceilings punctuate the formal living room and dining room. A family-friendly, restaurant-style gourmet kitchen leads to the breakfast room then out to the stone courtyard. The media/family room opens out to the serene, private and secure park-like grounds and swimming pool.

The home also has quite the Hollywood pedigree. Prior to Simpson and her family living here, Paul Hogan, Tom and Kathy Freston, Ellen DeGeneres, and Rick Yorn all called this gorgeous property home.

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.

The Biggest Loser‘s breakout star and ‘America’s Toughest Trainer,’ Jillian Michaels, is selling her gated home in the Hollywood Hills! Purchased by the trainer-to-the-stars on February 15, 2008 for $1,565,000, the 3 bedroom, 4 bathroom, 2,701 square foot home has just been pushed onto the market with a $2,450,000 price tag.

The home has a great open kitchen, and the floor plan and open dining and living rooms make it perfect for entertaining. Necessary for any Hollywood Hills home, incredible city views can be seen from the downstairs as well as the master bedroom. The large master bedroom suite features a walk-in closet, bath with separate tub and steam shower. Michael’s home also has two additional bedroom suites, one of which Michaels currently used as an office. Move-in ready for any other celebrity, the home also features a pool, security system with cameras and pre-wired sound system.

Michaels has certainly built herself into a household name over the past few years through her work on “The Biggest Loser” and other endorsement deals. On the personal front, she and her partner Heidi Rhodes have two young children, one they adopted from Haiti and one biological child.

Sometimes 2 isn’t better than 1. After more than 2 full years on the market, Christina Aguilera has finally sold the Beverly Hills mansion she purchased from Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne. Originally listed for $13.5 million, Aguliera never officially reduced the asking price on the home, but according to property records, she eventually ended up selling for $11.5 million – a full $2 million less than the diva wanted for her palace. The deal closed on April 29, 2013, and the buyer’s identity is still unknown.

Aguilera has since moved on to another Beverly Hills mansion in the exclusive guard-gated Mulholland Estates community. Her new 11,000-square-foot estate was reportedly purchased from multi-billionaire and global private equity mogul Tom Gores for an even $10 million.

Her just-sold home was the stage for Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s reality show “The Osbournes” many years ago and is in the heart of Beverly Hills on Doheny Drive. The estate is gated and extremely private and has 6 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms spread out over 10,000 square feet.

Vince Vaughn, comedic actor and everyone’s favorite “Wedding Crasher” is settling down a bit more these days. On the heels of the news that he and wife Kyla Weber are expecting baby #2, the Chicago native has just scooped up a 5 bedroom, 6 bathroom, 5,563 square foot home in La Cañada Flintridge on April 25, 2013 for $3,925,000.

The Vaughn’s new estate sits behind gates on an approximately 3/4 acre lot. Very, very traditional up first glance, the Colonial-style home combines classic design with fine craftsmanship. The large gourmet kitchen is fully equipped and each of the five large bedrooms comes complete with their own bath. The home also has a library, family Room, formal dining room and living room. The park-like grounds include sweeping lawns, swimming pool and sport court – perfect for their growing family!

Eccentric actor Joaquin Phoenix has purchased his next door neighbor’s home on March 29, 2013 for $1,390,700, as indicated by property records. The 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 2,511 square-foot home sits directly next to his existing property on top of the Hollywood Hills at Mulholland and Laurel Canyon. His existing home was purchased on November 7, 2006 for $4,835,000.

Phoenix’s longtime property is rather ordinary by Hollywood standards, and can been seen extensively in scenes from Phoenix’s “mock-umentary,” “I’m Still Here,” in which he famously duped his peers and the public into thinking he was quitting acting to become a famous rapper.

No telling why he needs his next door neighbors digs too, but perhaps it’s because he’s following the trend among celebrities of creating a compound comprised of multiple high-priced properties.

As it stands, Phoenix’s new addition to his Los Angeles property portfolio is a “a very special charmer re-done to perfection.” The gated property features a living and dining room that open to peaceful, beautifully landscaped grassy yard with custom outdoor fireplace and stone waterfall. An eat-in kitchen with huge center island and high-end appliances opens to a family room and additional large patio with canyon and city views. The Master suite has built-ins, a huge closet and re-done bath. Also included on the property is a bonus room with new bath and its own entrance, which would make a perfect office, gym or maids quarters.

Images via the MLS.

Christina Aguilera has purchased another Beverly Hills mansion in the exclusive guard-gated Mulholland Estates community. According to TMZ, who broke the news yesterday, the 11,000-square-foot estate was reportedly purchased from multi-billionaire and global private equity mogul Tom Gores for an even $10 million.  Previously, the home was leased for $20,000 a month by Adrienne Maloof of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Located on a double lot in the Mulholland Estates community, this six-bedroom, eight-bathroom Mediterranean mansion features custom, high-quality finishes and fixtures throughout. The master suite upstairs features a fireplace, two walk-in closets, a private office, a large terrace with fireplace, and a spa-like bathroom lined in marble with a steam shower and tub. Five additional en suites include a large family room with built-in cabinetry.

The first floor of the home offers an even larger family room with exposed wood beam ceiling, formal dining room, wood paneled library, and screening room. The gourmet kitchen includes top-of-the-line appliances, a walk-in pantry with refrigerator and breakfast area, and a large center island. The enclosed loggia features wood paneled ceilings, hand painted details, fireplace, and arched glass doors that open to the lush yard. To take in the warm California sun and entertain, the home’s outdoor space includes a saltwater pool and spa, bathhouse, gazebo, and built-in BBQ.

But what of X’tina’s current home (you know, the 10,000-square-foot estate that she and former hubby Jordon Bratman bought from the Prince of Darkness and his wife AKA Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne)? A little birdie told Yo Mama of The Real Estalker that the home is currently in escrow.

Katy Perry is selling her “California Girl” estate for $6,925,000. Purchased by the songstress on June 24, 2011 for $6,500,000, Perry intended to make the 3-acre estate compound near the famed Chateau Marmont her and then-husband Russell Brand‘s marital love nest. Amid rumors of an impending divorce and before the moving vans could even get in the front gates, the duo split for good – and the home remained vacant. Perry was reportedly secretly hoping to find a buyer for her unlucky love nest without having to officially list the home for sale. Perhaps she was asking too much money or people just didn’t want the bad juju associated with the home, but Perry couldn’t find her buyer.

Now, the home, dubbed “Park Hill,” is officially for sale, as first reported by The Real Estalker. Built in 1921, the estate is comprised of a significant Mediterranean residence with two-story grand entry that continues into two-story living room overlooking all of Los Angeles and the city’s dramatic skyline.

Additionally, the property has a separate two-story guest house that was formerly a caretaker’s apartment on the lower level and a Carriage House on the second level for auto storage. In 2004, another guest house was built and could be used as a private residence, as it comes complete with a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom.

The lushly landscaped backyard has a lagoon-style pool with waterfall and small bridges. Adding to the allure of this property, the home neighbors Frank Lloyd Wright’s famed Storer House.

Casey Kasem, longtime host of ‘American Top 40′ and one of the most iconic voices of all time, is saying goodbye to his Beverly Hills home, which comes complete with one of the romantic details we’ve ever seen – a heart-shaped pool! First reported by The Real Estalker, the home is newly listed for the sky-high price of $42,000,000. The estate sits on 2.4 acres and has 8 bedrooms, 11.5 bathrooms and 12,000 square feet.

Described as a “Classic Revival,” Kasem’s home has gone through a recent renovation and expansion. Now, the home includes a living room, salon, formal dining room, English-style library, bar room and a family-style kitchen. Double master suites feature  2 bathrooms, a hair salon  and dressing areas.

Outside on the expansive grounds, you’ll find the ‘love’-ly heart-shaped pool with 2 swim pavilions, a sunken, North/South tennis court and guest House.

Love Kasem’s house but don’t quite have the funds to afford the $42M price tag right now? Well, take Kasem’s signature advice to “keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars” – and maybe you’ll own it someday.

Images via the MLS.

Ryan Phillipe is more than a million dollars poorer after the sale of his Hollywood Hills home! Property records show that the former Mr. Reese Witherspoon sold the home on March 15, 2013 for $6,000,000. That’s $1,175,000 LESS than what he paid for the place when he purchased it on May 30, 2008 for $7,175,000.

Phillipe’s former home has 5 bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, 7,600 square feet, and was marketed as an “utterly secure and private Zen modern retreat is nestled in the hills just above the Sunset Strip.”

The gated property is located on more than a half-acre with killer city views. Characterized by spacious, bright, open spaces, the home is impressively large, but apparently not large enough to warrant a full-price offer. The home comes complete with a 2-story entry hall, which Ryan converted to a gym, as well a home theater, cook’s kitchen, a swimmer’s pool with underwater speakers and spa, several outdoor entertaining spaces, outdoor kitchen, sauna and phenomenal indoor-outdoor flow.

Ryan gave this home sale his best shot, originally listing it multiple times for about $7,450,000. With no buyers at that sky-high price, Phillipe could put a stop to his loss, and finally parted with his retreat at a rather ‘Cruel’ sum.