Hunger Games teen star buys a home
Joining the ranks of teenage homeowners is Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson, who has bought a place in the Hollywood Hills West area for $2.5 million.
The 19-year-old becomes another link in a string of celebrities who have called the place home. Known as the Tree House for its setting among sycamores, the house was owned at different times by talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and the late actor Heath Ledger.
The two-bedroom, twobathroom house, built in 1951 and since remodelled, sits behind gates on nearly half an acre. Features of the 1,861-square-foot home include glass walls, polished concrete floors, an office, beamed ceilings and video security. An outdoor living area of 2,500 square feet contains a movie lounge and barbecue space.
Even before escrow closed, Hutcherson picked a roommate — he adopted a pit bull named Driver from a rescue group.
Hutcherson stars this year in the horror comedy Detention and Red Dawn, due for November release. He will reprise his role as baker’s son Peeta Mellark in the 2013 sequel The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
Leaving flock in the Bird Streets
Broadcast syndication company head Byron Allen seems to be doing his part to help the Westside Los Angeles real estate market. The stand-up comic and TV show host bought an estate in Beverly Hills for $17 million and is now listing a place in the Hollywood Hills West area for $8.995 million.
The contemporary mansion he bought sits behind gates on more than an acre. A two-storey entry leads to a living room with retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to an infinity pool and a terrace.
The nearly 13,000 square feet of living space includes a library, a dining room that can seat 18, a bar, a den, seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. It previously sold in 2007 for $15.9 million.
The house Allen is selling is a Richard Landrydesigned contemporary, built in 1962, in the celebrity-populated Bird Streets area. With 3,540 square feet of living space, four bedrooms and 4 1/2 bathrooms, the house features high ceilings and expansive city views. The third of an acre property includes a motor court, swimming pool and a spa. Public records show he bought the house in late 2003 for $3.2 million.
Allen, 51, produces and distributes shows through his Entertainment Studios. He is executive producer for Comics Unleashed (2006-present) and the pilot of The First Family, a comedy-drama about a black family in the White House.
Party’s over in West Hollywood
Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown has put his West Hollywood party pad on the market for $1.895 million.
The 3,000-square-foot unit occupies the entire top floor of a four-storey building. The open-plan penthouse features direct elevator access, high ceilings, a patio and a bar. There are three bedrooms, an office, a laundry room and 3 1/2 bathrooms.
Brown, 23, released Graffiti in 2009, the same year he was arrested for assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna. They released two collaborative tracks this year. Brown won a Grammy this year for his R&B album F.A.M.E. His latest album is Turn Up the Music.
Everyone knows his name there
Actor Kelsey Grammer is back at it — trying to sell his home in the Beverly Crest area — this time for $17.999 million.
Priced at $19.9 million in 2008, the mansion is described as “modern traditional” in style. The twostorey house, built in 1980, features a central hall, media room, a library, a wine cellar and a service entrance. There are seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms and 10,567 square feet of living space. A swimming pool, a six-car motor court and a four-car garage complete the grounds of threequarters of an acre.
Grammer, 57, won four Emmys for his lead role in Frasier (1993-2004), a Cheers spin-off, and another in 2006 for voice work as Sideshow Bob on The Simpsons. More recently he has been executive producer of Medium and starred in the political drama Boss. He and his fourth wife, Kayte Walsh, were married last year and are expecting twins.
Public records show he bought the property in 2007 for $13.7 million.
Linkletter estate changes hands
It’s the darndest thing. The Art Linkletter estate in Bel-Air has sold above asking price for $10.6 million.
Built in 1957, the 5,000square-foot Midcentury Modern house includes two atriums, sculptural metal screens, pocket doors, two stone fireplaces and walls of glass. Carports and a motor court can accommodate about 20 cars.
There are five bedrooms and five bathrooms. The 4.6-acre city-view site
contains a solar-heated swimming pool, a sports court and a lawn dotted with flagstone pathways.
Linkletter, who died two years ago at 97, hosted radio and television shows from the 1940s to the ’70s.