Luxe Living

Zack Greinke‘s golden arm is making headlines yet again. This time, it’s not for landing the starting pitcher a massive $147 million six-year contract with the LA Dodgers. It’s also not for being the culprit behind last week’s Dodger vs. Padre fight- one of MLB’s biggest brawls this year which landed him on the disabled list for eight weeks with a broken collarbone.

Instead, Greinke’s arm is on the spotlight again for signing off on a snazzy piece of West Coast real estate – a $4.6 million dollar, newly constructed Studio City compound. The Florida-born right-hander can now watch that dramatic bench-clearing fiasco on repeat in the comfort of his fabulous new California haven while recovering from his “war” wound.

Surrounded by the famed LA communities of the Hollywood Hills, Beverly Crest, and Sherman Oaks, Studio City is a happening Southern California neighborhood with an average for-sale asking price of around $1.3 million. With LA’s  inventory and new construction numbers relatively low, this 2012 newly constructed, seven-bedroom, 10 bath retreat comes as a breath of fresh air. With California craftsmanship seen throughout, the gated, two-structure compound delivers a cabin-like aura with unique architecture, an open outdoor floor plan, a wrap around porch, and sleek hardwood floors.

Located at the foot of a hill, the beautifully landscaped grounds made up of trees and shrubs give the property plenty of privacy. A fire pit, water fall, walking bridge, spa and two-tiered pool also add to the tranquil ambiance creating a uniquely peaceful LA sanctuary.

Images via MLS.

Think you can work your magic on a high-priced fixer-upper? Then “Hocus Pocus” actress Kathy Najimy‘s Studio City estate might be for you! Listed for $1,875,000, the for-sale property is underwhelming at first glance, but the location, size and scale of the property make this one a ‘must-see.’

The location and site are phenomenal. Najimy’s home is a one-story, gated and private custom property located just off Mulholland Drive with easy access to many entertainment studios. The home is set way back of the street with the potential to park 10 cars. The property is extremely private, with explosive city light views from most rooms of the house, including from the grassy backyard area, pool and spa. Inside, the home has great ceiling height in the public rooms, with head-on city views.

Great for entertaining with indoor/outdoor flow, this home can be lived in and enjoyed as-is, or taken up to the next level and made your own. The home has four bedrooms, with one of the bedrooms currently being used as a great office with built-ins. Garage is being used for additional creative space with additional recording room area for Najimy’s husband, Dan Finnerty, creator and lead singer of the cult hit group, The Dan Band.

Najimy and Finnerty originally purchased the home on September 30, 1994 for $550,000.

Hitmaker and former ‘American Idol’ judge Kara DioGuardi has just sold her stunning Studio City, CA, home for $6.3 million. DioGuardi first listed the home in September 2011 for $10 million, but the price was way too high.

The 7,600-square-foot home with 5 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms was once listed as a $45,000 rental before officially hitting the market. With no takers, the home came off the market, then was relisted, and alas, finally sold for almost $4 million under asking. But don’t cry for Kara and her hubby, because it wasn’t a total wash. The duo purchased the home in 2007 for $3.5 million, spent three years renovating and decorating. So despite not getting the much-higher original asking price, they did come out ahead.

The property has a luxurious master suite, gourmet kitchen, 20-foot-high river rock fireplace, a solarium, infinity pool, hot tub with jets, art studio, and sauna. The large yard has endless rolling hills and trees, fountains, ponds, terraces, and decks. Unlike lots of Hollywood’s most tucked-away homes, this property is within walking distance to some of LA’s finest restaurants and shops and minutes away from the freeway. When she first listed the home in 2011, DioGuardi told WSJ that she’s selling “because she wants to spend more time on the East Coast with family and has another home in the Hollywood Hills.”

She recently appeared on Broadway as Roxie Hart in the revival of “Chicago.”

Studio City is quickly becoming one of the must-buy neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area. The neighborhoods are already littered with famous faces and entertainment industry insiders, and the latest resident to join the ranks is Emmy-nominated producer Mark Wilding. Wilding’s name may ring a bell from the credits on hit shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Scandal, Charmed, The Tony Danza Show and Ellen Degeneres original sitcom “Ellen.” That kind of resume means that Wilding has some bucks to toss around in the real estate game. According to public records, he just paid $1.825M for his new home on Valley Spring Lane.

Mark Wilding’s new place is the quintessential family home. This 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom custom, newly-built classic home on an expansive lot epitomizes luxurious lifestyle on a liveable scale. The home features both formal dining and living rooms. Richly appointed marble fireplaces, lovely crown moldings, intricate mill work and handsome hand-scraped walnut hardwood floors welcome guests.

Beyond the entryway, a Gourmet Chef’s kitchen with marble counter tops, stainless steel appliances and a stunning center island, spills into a spectacular great room, and out to a lushly landscaped resort-like back yard.  Stunning beamed ceilings with dormer windows, detailed craftsmanship and gorgeous sunlight dramatize most every room. Luxurious master suite comes complete with a sumptuous marble spa-like master bath.

The outdoor area includes a swimmer’s pool with baja step, spa and oversized studio, which can be used as guest quarters.

Fall Out Boy Bassist Pete Wentz has just purchased a rocking new pad in Studio City, CA, according to public records. Ashlee Simpson’s ex-husband is currently dating model Megan Kamper, and the two were recently photographed picking up home goods at a LA-area Target…and now we know why.

Wentz purchased the new place on April 13, 2012 for $1,050,000. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom, nearly 2,000 square-foot home is situated in the foothills amongst a forest of tall trees, waterfalls and exotic plantings. The property has been lovingly maintained and enhanced over the years and the interiors are filled with designer touches. The open-plan living, dining and kitchen have a wood burning fireplace and a wall of French doors open to a grand, Wisteria covered veranda. The convertible third bedroom or den also open up to the lush outdoor area. Upstairs is the master suite, office and guest bedroom and third bath. The custom baths feature vessel sinks, glass tiles, stone and custom cabinetry.

Outside, lush grounds surround the house and meandering pathways take you to a tree shaded spa, Japanese tea house, children’s play house, waterfalls and architectural koi pond. The separate guest quarters and bath complete this amazing property. Hardwood floors, recessed interior lighting, extensive outdoor lighting, security cameras, built-in speakers and music are just a few of the many features that make this the perfect nest for Wentz.

When Wentz was still married to Simpson, the two lived in a pricey place in Beverly Hills.

Songwriter and former American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi is selling her Studio City, California mansion for $10,000,000. The 7,600 square foot home with 5 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms was once listed as a $45,000 rental and has now officially joined the ranks as a for-sale home.

As reported by The Wall Street Journal, DioGuardi and her husband Michael McCuddy purchased the home in 2007, spent the last three years renovating and decorating, and have now had a real real estate change-of-heart.

To the non-Hollywood set, you might be asking “what’s not to love about this house?” It’s a private city and mountain view home on sprawling grounds, up a long gated driveway. The home has a luxurious master suite, gourmet kitchen, 20 foot original river rock fireplace, a solarium, infinity pool, hot tub with jets, art studio and sauna. The large yard has endless rolling hills and trees, fountains, ponds, terraces and decks. Unlike most of Hollywood’s most tucked-away homes, this property is in walking distance to some of LA’s finest restaurants and shops and minutes away from the freeway.

DioGuardi told WSJ that she’s selling “because she wants to spend more time on the East Coast with family and has another home in the Hollywood Hills.”

Anna Nicole Smith’s untimely death left many loose ends, and now it seems as though her estate is trying to tie up one of them. Her beautiful Studio City home has just been listed for $1,750,000. For those with the ability to retain pop culture knowledge, you’ll recognize this home as the main set for Anna Nicole’s 2002-2003 reality show “The Anna Nicole Show.”

The home sits high on a hill, with breathtaking, panoramic views of Los Angeles. The home is a spacious contemporary mediterranean with approximately 4,700 sq feet. Built in 2001, it’s the perfect location for the anyone in the entertainment industry. Home amenities include an iron staircase railing, hardwood and marble flooring, ceramic tiles some with stone and granite insets, wrap-around balconies on multi-levels, dramatic great room/living room with dual fireplace, volume ceilings, recessed lights, a kitchen with granite counter tops and more.