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.

Rock legend, Chris Cornell is strappin on his guitar and leather jacket, hoppin on his motorcycle and hittin the long, open road into the sunset…aka he’s moving. Earlier this month, the Soundgarden front man - former Audioslave lead singer - listed his five-bedroom, six and a half bath, Beverly Hills estate for a little under $5.4 million and is now just “waiting like a stone” for a lucky buyer.

In addition to having an iconic rock-and-roll voice, Cornell also has one of the most unique Mediterranean-style villas in 90210. Offering stunning hilltop views, the whopping 5,700 square-foot rock-star palace features large, open living spaces – decorative guitars likely not included -custom limestone and hardwood flooring, sleek, designer finishes, a state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen with island, and small connected breakfast area with views of the fabulous backyard. The master bedroom comes complete with two bathrooms and closets. The remaining bedroom suites include a maid’s room, gym, office and media room.

The exquisite exterior of the house includes a cabana with outdoor living space and attached fireplace, an infinity pool that’s to die for, and grassy shrubs surrounding the property for ultra-privacy.

Images via MLS.

Forget fancy heels and designer clothes: mom-to-be Jessica Simpson has put her passion for fashion aside and is all about baby number two. So much so that she’s completely ditching Sharon Osbourne’s exquisite master bedroom closet and converting it into a nursery! According to UsWeekly, Simpson and fiancé Eric Johnson are in escrow to buy The Talk co-host’s 11,000-square-foot mansion for $13 million and have already met with designers to transform the Osbourne’s former walk-in closet into a baby room.

The Price of Darkness and Sharon had been wrestling with selling the Hidden Hills home since July 2011 — at one point, the estate was even listed for rent for $50k a month. The Osbournes purchased the six-bedroom, 10-bath home in the equestrian community of Hidden Hills on August 3, 2007, for $12,388,500 and have settled on parting with the estate for just a smidge more than the purchase price at $13 million.

Located within the exclusive guard-gated community of Hidden Hills, Simpson’s soon-to-be home is situated on a private knoll and is a sophisticated Cape Cod-inspired estate located atop an intimate cul-de-sac. Featured in “Architectural Digest” in 2011, the grand residence rests on a 2.25 acre promontory with breathtaking city light and mountain views.

Reimagined by legendary interior designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, the magnificent home features the main home’s six bedrooms, as well as a guest apartment with kitchenette, intricately paneled study with fireplace, porte-cochere with motor court, exquisitely accented formal dining room, dramatic foyer with spiral staircase, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an expansive lower level studio/home theater space.

The family room is highlighted by oversized sliding barn doors, a reclaimed brick fireplace and beamed vaulted ceilings. The master suite offers a sitting area, stone fireplace, wood paneled walk-in closet, and an adjacent office. Expansive rear grounds include rolling lawns, a spa, barbeque island, outdoor shower, commode, and several seating enclaves.

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.

Everybody Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett has outgrown his Malibu beachfront estate and has relisted the property for $10,995,000. The deep-voiced, 6-foot-8 actor/comedian purchased the Spanish villa in 2007 for $8.81 million and originally put the home on the market in the summer of 2011 for $13.95 million. Unable to find a buyer, Garrett is now relisting the property two years later with a $3 million price chop. The house is stunning and should have no problem attracting attention with the recent price reduction. Perhaps a Garrett-voiced-over virtual tour of the home could reel in a buyer? Wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Located on the bluffs of Malibu, the five-bedroom, six-bath home is approximately 5,152 square feet and sits on a one-acre lot. Designed by local architect Douglas W. Buredge, the standout property features breathtaking ocean views and lovely custom details and molding inside and out. The home also boasts vaulted, beamed ceilings, wooden floors, a fireplace and custom mosaic tiling throughout. The gourmet chef’s kitchen comes with stainless steel appliances, a beautifully tiled center island, and wooden cabinetry. Additional posh amenities include a spacious home theater, two beachfront balconies, a heated pool, and a large living room with elongated sliding glass doors leading to the backyard and patio.

The king of game show hosts Howie Mandel is looking to unload one of his biggest prizes yet: a beautiful 5,936-square-foot, ocean-view Malibu estate. However, Mandel isn’t giving it away on one of his four game show gigs. Instead, he’s looking for a lucky buyer as he’s relisted it on the open market for a cool $7,750,000.

Back in December 2011, the former “Deal or No Deal” host had originally put the home up for sale and was looking to lock in a deal of his own for $7,250,000. Since taking down the original listing, Mandel is now taking a gamble in hopes of winning big by relisting the property for $500k more.

Located in the prestigious Point Dume area, this Cape Cod-inspired mini-compound was exquisitely crafted by renowned architect Douglas Burdge. Unveiled in 2009, the home boasts five bedrooms, five and a half baths, an office, theater, gym, and guesthouse. Constructed with the finest of finishes, the timeless architectural style weds both elegant sophistication and casual seaside living with a seamless indoor/outdoor flow. The airy main living area includes double-height formal living and dining rooms–both with French doors lining the walls–leading to a large, open kitchen with center island.

With panoramic Santa Monica ocean views, the home sits on over an acre of flat land with expansive lawns, a huge outdoor patio, and a gorgeous infinity pool.

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.

In the wake of a recent break up from Victoria Secret model girlfriend Erin Heatherton, Leonardo DiCaprio is also now officially “departing” from his seven bedroom, six bath Malibu beachfront home. Today, the hunky actor listed the property for a whopping $23 million.

We thought DiCaprio would “never let go” of his Cape Cod inspired home as he listed it for lease with a $150,000 price tag earlier this summer. Now that we’re caught in limbo between the end of California’s Indian Summer and the beginning of Fall, the beachfront is seeking a new buyer in hopes of catching one before next year’s summer months.

Purchased on October 9, 2002 for $6 million, the unique property is made up of three separate houses sitting on one coveted, 2,633 square-foot lot. A four-bedroom main house sits on the stunning Malibu ocean-front, and a two-bedroom detached guest house and third detached loft with gym, media room, seventh bedroom and office area follow behind. Completely renovated from head to toe, this unique home also includes private parking, maid quarters, gardens, lawns and private beach entry making it one luxurious beachfront compound.

Katie Bentzen of Arete Estates in Malibu is the listing agent. Images via the MLS.

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!