Luxe Living

She may be “Maid in Manhattan,” but Jennifer Lopez loves the Hamptons enough to spend $10 million on a chic 3-acre spread in Water Mill, NY.

First reported by the New York Post, Lopez, along with her young boyfriend Caspar Smart and her twins Max and Emme, were seen multiple times touring the property before Lopez officially dropped $10 million for the 8-bedroom, 7.5 bathroom, 8,500 square foot custom home.

Lopez’s new purchase is the perfect summer retreat with every amenity she and her family need including a sparkling pool, pool house, theater, sauna, steam room and covered porches. The light, bright Hamptons beach house is perfectly private and situated on a secluded cul-de-sac. The property features the gorgeous main home, as well as room for J-Lo to build a guest house and tennis court, if she’s so inclined.

This news comes on the heels of yesterday’s scoop that ex-husband Marc Anthony just spent $2.5 million on a new home in Encino, CA. Coast-to-coast, the former duo is buying up some high-priced real estate!

Actress Brooke Shields is under contract to purchase a charming Southampton hideaway for $4.3 million, as first reported by the New York Post. The owner is former NFL tight end Vyto Kab, who played for the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions during his career.

Beautifully renovated, the home reflects all of the charm of an historic home but comes complete with every modern convenience and amenity – perfect for Brooke and her family.

The 1920 classic shingled home has 6 bedrooms, including a master suite with tray ceiling and fireplace, and 6 full and 2 half baths. A gourmet kitchen opens to the dining area/great room with a fireplace and French doors giving way to expansive terrace, separate formal living and dining rooms with fine wood finishes, library, state-of-the-art media room, and mud room/laundry.

The half acre, beautifully landscaped private grounds feature specimen trees, flower and vegetable gardens, 20 x 50 freshwater heated gunite pool, and pool house with full bath, kitchenette, cathedral height living area, and laundry.

While not beachfront like some of her Hamptons neighbors, Brooke’s new home is perfectly located in the heart of the village with immediate access to shopping, dining and ocean beaches.

Back in the city, Brooke and her family live in an incredible townhome they overhauled and recently showed off in Architectural Digest.  In January 2012, she sold her NYC Chinatown co-op for $2.95 million.

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.

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.

To become one of the top agents in the real estate business, it takes a ton of hard work and dedication. Success is equal parts hustle, sweat, creativity and relationship building. Whether you yourself are an agent, or just a real estate aficionado, we can all learn a thing or two from these top luxury agents.

So, without further ado, we present the first of an ongoing series detailing the secrets to success and fun facts about the top luxury real estate agents in the country! First up: Howard Margolis of Prudential Douglas Elliman in New York City.

How did you get your start in real estate?

I was working in my family business, which was a 100 year old, fourth generation company in New York.  My father and his brothers decided to sell the company.  I woke-up one day after a life, up until then, of being a privileged son to find myself jobless, and it was shocking. After a few weeks of soul searching, I ran into the owner of a real estate relocation company.

I had no information about the real estate business, but it sounded very interesting.

Within two weeks, I put my first real estate transaction together.  That was over twenty years ago.  Last year I sold the highest priced apartment in New York City.  It’s been a great adventure and journey.

What sale or career milestone are you most proud of?

Over the years in real estate, I’ve done many things:  worked in corporate real estate relocation, managed the largest grossing real estate sales office in the country and sold some of the largest development projects in the country.  My biggest triumph is putting together an amazing team of people to work with. I enjoy every day with them.  They’re smart, dedicated and we keep each other focused on our job – which is giving the best service to all of our clients.

What is your dream home location?

I have to say that New York City is an amazing place to live.  Even after twenty years in the business, I still walk into some of the most spectacular apartments and get surprised at the scale and scope of renovations in Manhattan and Brooklyn.  You just have no idea what people can create behind those brick walls.  My dream home is a penthouse on Central Park South.  The views looking North over the park with the buildings on Fifth avenue and Central Park West flanking each other is a total New York experience.

What kind of car do you drive?

I’ve been driving BMWs for the past fifteen years.  I’m currently driving the 740iL.  It’s great for long drives to the country and my clients are extremely comfortable.

iPhone, Android or BlackBerry?

iPhone, iPad, Mac!

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

I can’t pick just one! I look at the NY Times app, HuffingtonPost, The Real Deal, Curbed, Facebook and Streeteasy

What was the last book you read?

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

Name your favorite guilty pleasure.

Eating at some the most amazing restaurants in the world around NYC!

Take a peek at some of Howard’s listings!

55 Central Park West Penthouse, New York, New York – Listed for $35,000,000

101 West 67th Street, New York, New York – Listed for $27,500,000

128 Central Park South Penthouse, New York, New York – Listed for $11,995,000

112 West 56th Street, New York, New York – Listed for $1,624,800

‘Weeds’ actress Mary Louise Parker is saying sayonara to the Big Apple apartment she’s owned since the mid-2000′s. According to The Real Estalker and the brand new listing, Parker is asking $7 million for her 10-room NYC duplex at 32 Washington Square West.

Let’s “weed” through the details of this high-priced home: new to the market, this Pre-War, 1925 duplex radiates warmth and charm while affording grand scale proportion and abundant entertaining and private chambers. Combinations of this size are rare and Parker’s home features five bedrooms, four and a half bath, a double living room, formal dining room, library and den. In New York, views command big bucks. This co-op contains 26 windows spanning four exposures, gracing the space with brilliant light and panoramic views. The luxurious master wing includes a spa bath, oversized dressing room and sitting area. Pre-war elements include beamed ceilings, archways, two wood burning fireplaces and oak parquet floors. Door and elevator attendants, as well as a live-in super provide full-time service in this chic building.

Parker previously placed the co-op on the market in March 2012 for $7.995 million. Without a buyer in sight, the home was quickly reduced to $7.25 million and later taken off the market all together. Property records also show that Parker had to buyout her ex and baby daddy Billy Crudup‘s stake in the property for $1.5 million in May 2005. That couldn’t have been an easy pill  for Parker to swallow, considering that Crudup left her for Claire Danes while she was seven months pregnant with their child.

Edward C. Ferris of Brown Harris Stevens is the listing agent.

Images via Brown Harris Stevens.

When it comes to high-priced celebrity real estate, we’re in a New York state of mind. New York City is best known as “The Big Apple” and “The City That Never Sleeps,” but it’s also a hot bed of incredible, jaw-dropping real estate.

High in the sky in Manhattan, celebrities live in perfect penthouses, dazzling duplexes and amazing apartments with price tags up to $100 million and climbing. Out East in the Hamptons, the homes, the parties and price tags get bigger and better as you approach the coast.

For celebrities living and working in NY, a swanky pad is a must-have to keep up with fellow celebs, socialites and business moguls who understand image is everything. Lucky for the rest of us, that means east-coast real estate eye candy for our viewing pleasure, available to you now in a hot, New York minute.

Let’s take a look inside some of the glitzy homes of New York‘s famous residents made up of notable athletes, actors, musicians and industry personalities.

Hover over the stars on the map above to check out what celebs are currently running New York’s real estate scene. Click the stars to check out more juicy details!

On July 2nd, NBA All Star Joe Johnson was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, after spending 7 quality seasons in Atlanta with the Hawks. Now he’s putting his palatial Atlanta area home on the market and going all-in on becoming part of Brooklyn’s first NBA basketball franchise. And who can blame him? Maybe it was the thought of Jay-Z being the minority owner? Or the idea of creating a new basketball super power right in the backyard of the New York Knicks? Either way the $90 million of mad scrilla left on the next 4 years of his contract certainly makes moving an easy decision from a financial standpoint.

So what is Joe leaving behind? Well the Hawks might not be in good shape, but his expansive home sure is a gem. Settled on over an acre of land the European-style home is 13,822 square feet and features 8 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms and welcomes visitors to the home with a dramatic 2 story foyer and cathedral ceiling. The kitchen alone includes a breakfast room, large granite-topped island and a walk-in pantry. Other spaces throughout the house include computer, media, recreation, family and living rooms, as well as a library, den, gym and wet bar for entertaining. And after all that you can settle into a large dining room with room for more than 12 people, wood floors and expansive 10 foot ceiling.

The amaziness that is Joe Johnson‘s former home isn’t limited to indoors. Once you head into the back yard you will encounter myriad additional features that solidify this home’s status as a luxury retreat. Walk onto the deck and notice the carefully tended garden, baller-status grill, hot tub, spa and built-in pool including pool house. And if you want to work up a sweat before hitting the pool you can hit the ball around on the private tennis court.

Maybe he’s crazy for selling this place, but you have to wonder where a man used to this lifestyle will settle once he arrives in the Big Apple. Perhaps he wants to pick up Derek Jeter’s old pad for a cool $17.95 million? With his average pre-tax salary in the $1.7 million per month range, a host of New York rental opportunities become very affordable. For $45,000 per month Johnson could choose this massive, lower-Manhattan flat, or perhaps he wants to be close to the brand new Barclays Center in Brooklyn? If so, he’ll find rentals to be exceedingly less expensive, like this 2 bedroom apartment that is just minutes from his “office” at the arena and will set him back a paltry in comparison, $5,500 per month.

One thing we know for certain, Johnson will be playing on an exciting team come 2012, and likely living in style.

Credit to estately.com for home images.

Here at Trulia HQ, we’re always sad to read about the demise of celebrity couples. They all just seem so in love. I mean, we never saw the whole Kim and Kris thing coming (we kid, we kid.) But this one today was a little bit of an unexpected Friday surprise – Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. The collective duo known affectionately as TomKat are no more. Perhaps Katie found marriage to Tom to be “Mission: Impossible?”

After the couch jumping, the wedding in an Italian Castle and the adorable, well-dressed tot named Suri, we thought these two might have a fighting chance to actually make it work. Today, we learn that it’s just not gonna happen for them. So, now what will happen to the mega-millions they have earned collectively over their 5-year marriage? We’re sure they have that all figured out via a standard Hollywood iron-clad prenup.

Well, we may never know who will get what, but it doesn’t stop us from wondering what will happen to their impressive collection of real estate.

Let’s break down their homes, which you can peep in this order in the slideshow above and down below.

1111 Calle Vista Drive Beverly Hills, California 90210

TomKat purchased the estate on April 27, 2007 for $30,500,000. The 10,286 square foot estate has 7 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms.

7860 Torreyson Drive, Los Angeles, California 90046

Purchased on June 3, 2005 for $9,850,000. Public records say the home is 4,965 square feet and has 3 bedrooms and 5 bedroom. It sits on 2.4 acres.

42 W. 12th St. New York, New York 10011

This East Coast outpost was purchased on April 7, 2009 for $15,075,000. It’s very large by New York standards: 8,113 square feet.

1545 E. Valley Road, Montecito, California 93108

We don’t have too much intel on this TomKat vacation property, but public records show that it measures in at 9,477 square feet and the main residence has 6.5 bathrooms.

115 Francisco Way, Telluride, Colorado 81435

Purchased by Tom before he was married to Katie on October 31, 1995, to be exact. Purchase price and home details are not currently available.

So there you have it – the real estate reality of the soon-to-be-exes Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Gawk and maybe shed a little tear if you have to. We’ll let the tabloids take it from here…

Images via Bing.

Three-time Emmy winning actress Edie Falco has listed her modest 4-bedroom, 3-bath New York duplex for $5.5 million, according to our friend The Real Estalker. According to property records, Falco purchased the home in New York’s famous Tribeca neighborhood in July 2004 for $3.8 million.

Famously known for her role as Carmela Soprano on HBO’s award winning series ‘The Sopranos,’ Falco has been most recently saving lives as the star of Showtime’s hit drama ‘Nurse Jackie.’ With those two hit roles under her belt, it’s no surprise that Falco is one of only two actresses to receive a  SAG, Golden Globe AND Emmy Award within the same year.

For an actress with that much talent comes an extremely busy schedule. That being said, interior design may have taken the backseat, as this 3,000 square foot condo has quite a demur personality with minimal color and design throughout. This property, however, has great potential and offers amazing views off both its terracces on the first and second story.

Hardwood floors run up and down the penthouse and 12-foot ceilings surrounded by various sky-high windows allow for a bright and spacious living area. The living room comes complete with a wood-burning fireplace attached to an exposed brick wall, welcoming a very urban, downtown ambiance. The open kitchen is newly renovated and features stainless steel appliances, as well as an island/bar eating area.

Deborah Grubman and David Dubin of the Corcoran Group hold the listing.