Sunday, July 25, 2010

Weekend Wrap Up

1. All the celebrity gossips were going bat shit crazy over the architecturally dramatic Venice, CA compound hoisted on the market by the estate of recently deceased actor Dennis Hopper. The listing has officially hit the interweb as has an extensive virtual tour.

The five parcel compound, listed at $6,245,000, includes a 4,900 square foot Brian Murphy designed main house dripping with architectural chutzpah, a guest cottage, swimming pool with lap lane, pool house and three, freestanding Frank Gehry condominiums often referred to as the three little pigs.

2. Stop the presses. George Clooney would like everyone to know that his house on Lake Como in Italy is not–and we repeat–not for sale.

3. Bling Queen Kimora Lee Simmons and her ex-huzband Russell have finally sold their Saddle River, NJ house of decorative horrors. The 35,000 square foot beast was first listed during the time of Jesus for $23,888,000 and the price sank over time to $13,900,000. The unknown buyers are reportedly paying close to the asking price.

4. It only took 4 years but Sting and Trudy Styler have finally sold there massive doo-plex digs on Manhattan's Central Park West. The Tantric sexer, who bought the doo-plex digs in the 1980s from Billy Joel, first put his colossal crib on the market in 2006 with an asking price of $24,900,000. But alas, property records and previous reports show that Mister Sting–real name Gordon Sumner–recently sold the place for $17,750,000 to a man named Michael S. Naify. Although we aren't for certain, Mister Naify seems to be from a very prominent Bay Area based family who once owned the United Artists Theater company.

Sting and Trudy have moved on to the excessively priced and over-hyped 15 Central Park West Building along with an army of celebs like Denzel Washington and extremely well compensated financial industry bigwigs.

5. There are rumors galore that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are fixin' to spend tens of millions of dollars on a gigantic Palladian style villa in the hills of Valpolicella, Italy. We don't believe it, but then again, what do we know about anything?

6. According to new reports, Celine Dion's new mansion/water park in super swank Jupiter Island, FL never should have gotten the necessary permits from the town board. But approved the permits were and as a result the Director of Planning, Zoning and Building Jeff Newell is now the ex-Director of Planning, Zoning, and Building.

7. Did LeBron James–whoever that is–spend $50,000,000 to purchase a sprawling waterfront estate with 8 bedrooms and 11 poopers in Coral Gables, FL formerly owned by a man named Pat Riley who is the "head honcho" of something called the Miami Heat?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

50 million dollars????? (Cue Dr. Evil grin) Wow, no wonder so many people hate LeBron lol!

Anonymous said...

I really hope LeBron didn't spend that much money for his house... $50 Million for a house in FLORIDA? Is he crazy? Florida has one of the most depressed real estate markets anywhere and it's not coming back anytime soon, especially things that are that high end. Shaq sold at a huge loss for a better house on Star Island with more land. The place he bought only has a single acre of land, is he out of his fucking mind??? This is only for his ego and when he loses half the money he spent on the place when he eventually sells he'll be crying. Honestly, what 25 year old needs that, it makes him look pathetic and egotistical. He'll be sad when he realizes that Coral Gables live not suit his young lifestyle. Huge mistake LeBron, fire which ever one of your employees that advised you to buy this white elephant. I'm sure the guy that sold it to him is laughing all the way to the bank. There's a sucker born every day...

StPaulSnowman said...

Let's see.............asked 24million, sold for 14 million
asked 25million, sold for 18 million


This is quite the reality check. I hope these prices don't drop too much. That would really impact on Mama's cache (can't do accents)

Anonymous said...

3:02. I quite enjoy seeing these people lose lots of money. Most of their undeserved income/wealth should be removed via taxes and redistributed to the poor and needy, but in lieu of that, just losing millions on the market will have to do. I do sincerely hope for more and worse losses for numerous others of the same ilk.

StPaulSnowman said...

After viewing the extensive photo tour, I am happy to be provincial. Extract the art and furnishings, and this "compound" has the look and feel of a military base in Guam, complete with a quanset hut architectural vibe and three officers' quarters clad in corrugated metal with sad picket fences to make them look like homes. I am so glad it is thousands of miles away.

Anonymous said...

It it possible to come to this blog too often? I was just on a website for NYC real estate, super expensive, but so frustrating - they didn't have a 'comments' section where I could give my opinion on the decor. Yikes!

Anonymous said...

Regarding Pitt-Jolie, last I knew they had leased the large wine estate Château Miraval, (located a ways inland east of Aix/Marseilles) for 3 years starting in 2008, so one wonders what's up with that at this point. Valpolicella is an official wine-growing zone near Verona and not a specific town.

property said...

Hello! House Brad and Angelina! http://www.zagranhouse.ru/news/2009/09/10/182/

Anonymous said...

I once went on a blind date with Mr. Naify's son. I can report that yes, they are a massively wealthy family. They own one of the nicest mansions in Pacific Heights. Too bad son was such a zero, ha!

Anonymous said...

Hi Momma - Love the column!!

The Le Bron House was never owned or lived in by Pat Riley.

It was built, lived in and sold by car dealer/developer Alan Potamkin as part of his divorce settlement with his wife.

As for Shaq's house, it was a large poorly constructed dump that despite the Star Island location had a view of ugly condos rather than the much more desirable city view. The new owners are in the process of a a gut renovation.

Le Bron's house is on a peninsula with magnificent views of Biscayne Bay in a private gated community. Most people do not realize that despite the police at the entrance gate to Star Island anyone can get on as it is public property. Gables Estates where Le Bron is going is private.

Finally, can all the class warfare morons give it a rest - cannot we just talk about houses and decorating without all the self righteous speeches. Lighten up people!!

Jimbo said...

According to Miami records the house Lebron James may be buying is owned by Allen Potamkin -- not Pat Riley.

angie said...

I LOVE these catch all/catch up/update weekend wrap up columns. Thanks so much Mama!