DIANE’S A DOER-UPPER
D iane Keaton’s career has been as varied on screen as it has been off. As well as starring in many Woody Allen films and a clutch of Hollywood blockbusters, the highly private actress has also had relationships with several co-stars including Allen but also Al Pacino and Warren Beatty.
These days the 71-year-old is also a blogger for the Huffington Post, wine maker, and property developer.
The millions she’s earned from films such as First Wives Club, Annie Hall and Father of the Bride has been spent in part doing up and then selling on luxury homes in Los Angeles.
But it’s not just for profit – Diane says she also does it to help preserve the city’s architecture and she works on projects with a preservation organisation.
She is not the only Hollywood star to refurbish homes as a side-line; others include Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Aniston and Meg Ryan. One of Diane’s early restoration projects is for sale. It’s a Laguna Beach house with views over the Pacific which was built in 1928 for a fruit magnate.
The property is in what Americans call the Mediterranean Revival style featuring stucco, decorative Spanish tiles, wood beams, carved doors, ironwork and terraces surrounded by lush plantings.
Diane bought the beach house in 2004 for $7.5m and spent two years doing it up, selling it in 2006 for $12.75m. It’s now on the market for $15.98m. More information from TopTenRealEstateDeals.com