Sellers swing a bit too high
A flurry of sales of $24 million or more capped off another year of high-end real estate transactions in Los Angeles County. Among December’s biggest deals was the onetime home of a noted filmmaker, a newly built spec mansion and an ocean-view estate bought by one of TV’s biggest competition judges.
Here’s a closer look.
$41 million — Bel-Air
On Stradella Road, the onetime address of blockbuster director-producer Michael Bay sold for $4 million less than the asking price. The buyer was a corporate entity linked to billionaire real estate developer Jay Paul.
Originally designed and built in 1976 by Jack Warner, the modern home was recently renovated and expanded to 15,000 square feet by Saota Architecture.
Within the multilevel floor plan are a designer-decor kitchen, a wine room and a home theater. An indoor “wellness center” holds massage and steam rooms, a sauna and a gym. There are five bedrooms and nine bathrooms.
The home sits on a roughly 1-acre lot with expansive outdoor living space and an infinity-edge swimming pool. Views from the site take in the Los Angeles Basin, Mt. Baldy and Santa Monica Bay.
James Harris and David Parnes of the Agency were the listing agents. Alexander Tarigo of Rodeo Realty represented the buyer.
$32.5 million — Hollywood Hills West
In the Bird Streets area, a 2017-built spec house designed by architect Paul McClean sold for $5.5 million less than the asking price. Five years ago the property — then a 1970s Mediterranean villa — changed hands for $5.125 million,
public records show.
Set at the end of a gated drive, the 11,127-square-foot house features such details as a handblownglass chandelier finished in gold leaf, multiple fire features and seven types of imported marble.
There are five bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms, including a master suite composed of four rooms. In the lounge/entertainment area, custom swings are suspended from the ceiling.
Estel Hilton of Keller Williams Realty, Beverly Hills, was the listing agent. Sen Wang of Rega Realty Services represented the buyer.
A corporate entity tied to Las Vegas Sun publisher Brian Greenspun sold an ocean-view compound on Pacific Coast Highway to television competition judge and show creator Simon Cowell.
The gated estate sits on about 2 acres of grounds with a lighted tennis court, a swimming pool and multiple outdoor living spaces.
The main house, a single-story built in 1988, has within its 8,600 square feet six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. Interior details include Beaumaniere and dark wood floors, Venetian plaster walls and high ceilings with large skylights. Other features include five fireplaces, separate massage and spa rooms and a gym.
Steven Schaefer and Jay Luchs of Newmark Residential were the listing agents. Mark John Williams of Keller Williams Realty and Dustin Nicholas of Nicholas Property Group represented Cowell.
$24 million — Beverly Hills
Tom and Ruth Chapman, founders of London-based online retailer MatchesFashion.com, paid $3.5 million less than the asking price for an updated estate on Trousdale Place. The seller was a limited liability company tied to
Kevin Washington, the son of Montana-based billionaire industrialist Dennis Washington.
Completely overhauled during the last four years, the five-bedroom, seven-bathroom house boasts a glass-walled entry, rich hardwood floors and a marbleslab fireplace in the living room. An abstract chandelier fills the ceiling in the dining room, which takes in city-to-ocean views.
Outdoors, decking surrounds a lap pool and sunken spa.
Branden and Rayni Williams of Hilton & Hyland, an affiliate of Christie’s International Realty, were the listing agents. Dena Luciano of Douglas Elliman represented the Chapmans.
$17.086 million — Beverly Hills
An investment group that includes a company tied to Scott
Seligman — the founder of Sterling Bank & Trust and minority owner of the San Francisco Giants — and real estate investor Stanley
Black paid about $5.4 million less than the original asking price for a traditional-style home on Greenway Drive.
The 11,950-square-foot house, built in 1947, sits on about threequarters of an acre with a guesthouse, a separate gym and a swimming pool and spa. Lawns, formal gardens and a lighted sports court complete the fenced and hedged grounds.
Formal living and dining rooms, an executive office and a home theater are among the living spaces. There are seven bedroom en suites and a total of nine bathrooms.
Rochelle Maize and Melissa Polson of Nourmand & Associates were the listing agents. Fred Bernstein of Westside Estate Agency represented the buyer.