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.

36 days after listing his palatial Encino mansion for $5,495,000, ‘King of Queens’ actor Kevin James has sold the spread for $55,000 more than the asking price. He must of priced it just right, because the home flew off the market at record speed. The incredible 11,291 square-foot home on Bertella Drive in Encino, CA has 5 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms. Property records show that James purchased the home on August 14, 2003 for $3,200,000. Looks like he made a tidy $2 million+ profit on the sale!

Before you know it, summer will be here! And if you’re looking for a new home in Malibu before summer arrives, then you must meet Chris Cortazzo, the #1 agent for Malibu, California, nationally and internationally for Coldwell Banker.  Since 2000, Chris has sold more than $1.5 billion in real estate, establishing him as Malibu’s #1 agent for the past decade.

Chris has changed the face of real estate in Malibu, and is in a league of his own. He credits his success to hard work, extensive networking, having integrity, and putting his client’s interest first. He makes deals happen, always trying to be a part of the solution; facing challenges head on, and focusing on the positive.

Chris was born and raised in Malibu; He grew up on Point Dume, where he currently resides. Chris is passionate about surfing, collecting art, travelling, and keeping close to his family. He consistently gives back to his community, donating to over 40 charities per year. He’s been on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu since 2007, and is chairperson for several local annual fundraising events.

Quite the career! Let’s get to know Chris Cortazzo a little bit better!

How did you get your start in real estate?

Getting one of the most expensive houses in Malibu as my first listing and the  top agent at the time asking the client ‘why would you give it to a nobody.’

What sale or career milestone are you most proud of?

Buying my first home which was next door to my parents, who are my best friends.

What is your dream home location?

Anywhere in Malibu.

What kind of car do you drive?

Range Rover.

iPhone, Android or BlackBerry?

iPhone

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

Trulia, of course!

What was the last book you read?

“Proof of Heaven,” by Eben Alexander

Name your favorite guilty pleasure.

Popcorn, popcorn and more popcorn.

What’s one thing someone would never guess just by looking at you?

Passion, for my family, friends, work, animals and life.

Let’s check out some of Chris Cortazzo’s current for-sale listings!

• $54,000,000 - 26848 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA
• $28,500,000 – 6970 Wildlife Road, Malibu, CA
• $22,500,000 – 22446 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA
• $22,500,000 – 26900 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA
• $15,995,000 – 29000 Cliffside Drive, Malibu, CA

Lauren Conrad has the look of a budding LA real estate mogul as TMZ is reporting she has just purchased her largest property yet, a $3.7 million gem of a home in the exclusive Brentwood neighborhood. LC is best known as playing herself on MTV’s iconic, although short-lived show, “Laguna Beach,” after which she moved onto entirely new levels of drama, hooking-up, and general shenanigans on “The Hills.”

LC’s real estate resume is starting to get pretty long these days as she has parlayed her early reality TV star fame into ventures as a fashion designer and author.

She sold the famous ‘Hills’ home for a loss in September of 2011, leaving not only the home but her friendships with surgically-enhanced Heidi Montag and Audrina Patridge behind.

LC went on to purchase a $1.3 million condo in the exclusive 90210 ZIP code in Beverly Hills. Although the original pictures of the place looked frumpy, one can assume that she put her own personal touch to spruce up the large, multi-story penthouse. She still owns this condo and also owns a four bedroom home in Laguna Beach.

Now Lauren is moving on to bigger and better things. Brentwood is one of the more exclusive areas in a city that is full of exclusive areas. Her newly-remodeled, two-story home is on a quiet street and includes six-bedrooms and five-bathrooms in a massive 4,303 square foot floor plan.

The traditional style home was built in 1959 and features a chef’s kitchen, a master suite, and dark hardwood floors, as well as multiple fireplaces and a massive patio, basketball court and yard for soaking up the LA sunshine.

Images via 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.

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.

Since their heyday as Hollywood’s ‘it’ couple following the ’80s hit movie, “Crocodile Dundee,” Paul Hogan and his longtime wife and former co-star, Linda Kozlowski, have been busy climbing the property ladder. Last July, we reported that the real estate power couple bought a five-bedroom, six-bath pad for $3,800,000, after listing another palatial Malibu home in February 2012 for $6,475,000.

After only six months, the Hogans are ready to sell their most recent purchase — the 6,382 square foot estate nestled in a prime location in Malibu — which was impeccably revamped in 2012, blending modern European sensibility with the home’s existing Victorian elegance. Featuring spectacular ocean views, the property is designed to let in plenty of natural light. The gourmet chef’s kitchen boasts top-of-the-line appliances, while the master suite includes a sitting area, two large walk-in closets, and a private lanai. A library, office spaces, three additional en-suite bedrooms, plus a bonus bedroom round out the rest of the main home. A short walk outside leads you to the one-bedroom guest house and the additional three-car garage.

From young star, to generation-X poster boy, to multi-talented and multiple-times-married father of four, Ethan Hawke has managed to delight the public throughout his career. Even his less-successful films, such as Gattaca, where he met his first wife Uma Thurman, are engaging and fun to watch. And if he’s able to sell his New York townhouse for the asking price of $6,250,000, we can add real estate mogul to his list of talents — after all, he did initially purchase the home in 2005 for the low, low price of $3,000,000.

Although it’s hard to imagine Officer Jake Hoyt living in Chelsea, you have to love the location of this home, surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and art galleries. And there’s enough eye candy in the area to make you wonder if, indeed, you are living amongst a race of genetically perfect human beings.

Once inside Hawke’s nest, you’ll find the four-story Chelsea townhouse has six bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, and clocks in around 3,500 square feet. The custom kitchen with dining banquette and large dining room highlight an inviting, open floor plan that’s just steps away from the patio and garden. But the master suite — which encompasses the entire top floor and features a private terrace — is perhaps the highlight of the home.

Now this is a place that is perfect for the buyer who’s looking to take a bite out of life in the Big Apple.

Tennis ace Serena Williams is serving up her luxurious LA condo to a new buyer. According to property records and The Real Estalker, Williams’ Wilshire Boulevard home is in escrow for $1,850,000. By the looks of the listing photos, Williams used the condo as a West Coast pied-à-terre for a couple years when she spent time in the City of Angels. She purchased the soon-to-be-sold condo in September 2002 for $1,275,000. Four years later — after more success and lucrative endorsement deals — she spent $6,612,000 on massive, seven-bedroom mansion in Bel Air. She and sister Venus also share a champion-worthy Florida mansion.

Whomever is plunking down the dough to take Serena’s small-ish condo off her hands is buying into the luxury Los Angeles building, The Remington. The 15th floor condo is spacious, with two bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, and a den/office that comes complete with the most amazing city views. Light and bright, the condo has an open floorplan and a direct access elevator. The gourmet kitchen features high-end appliances. And throughout, you’ll find hardwood floors, balconies, walls of windows. The master suite comes with dual marble baths, limestone floors, and walk-in closets, while The Remington — a full-service building — offers a concierge, valet, pool/spa, gym, rec room, wine storage, and additional storage rooms.

Professional basketball player Kenyon Martin is selling his extravagant Arlington, Texas, mansion for $5 million! The most expensive single-family home in the entire city of Arlington, K-Mart’s house has every possible amenity you can think of: pecan orchards, a tricked-out workout room, private pond, full outdoor kitchen, basketball court, 10-car garage, bronze dolphin fountains, two elevators, and a resort-style pool with two water slides and a diving board.

We’re not done yet.

The house is situated on 8.4 lush acres and also features beautiful white marble floors, a gourmet, state-of-the-art kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a media room, multiple wet bars, and let’s not forget the game room with a four-lane bowling alley.

And it’s no surprise that this ballin’ estate has seven fireplaces throughout the property, a two-bedroom guest house, and huge master suite, too.

Not too shabby, Kenyon.

Ginger Levine of Dave Perry Miller holds the listing.