Monday, November 7, 2011

UPDATE: Rihanna





Earlier today Your Mama discussed a water-damaged modern mansion in the mountains above Beverly Hills owned by multi-Grammy Award-winning Barbadian–or, as some prefer, Bajan–superstar singer Rihanna.

Shortly after our discussion of the ugly celebrity real estate matter an official listing popped up on the interweb that confirms Riri's $6,900,000 purchase price and current $4,500,000 asking price. The new listing has scads of photographs of the essentially empty house looking fairly well trashed and thrashed with debris in the driveway, white sheets tacked up over some of the vast windows, dried up and unkempt landscaping, and a smattering of bright orange traffic posts set around the deck and waterless swimming pool and spa.

Listing photos also reveal airy and somewhat bedraggled interior spaces with lustrous wood floors and towering walls of windows, multiple fireplaces, and a u-shaped kitchen with colossal center island (and high-grade commercial-style appliances still in place). A glass-railed bridge over the cavernous living/dining space leads to the master suite that includes a bank of sliding glass doors that open to a glass-railed balcony with city view, extensive custom fitted walk-in closets, and a glammy bathroom with twin sinks, shimmering stainless steel tile and a glassed in steam shower with horizontal stripe pattern of black and stainless steel tile.

The listing explains that the 8,520 square foot residence as a "MAJOR fixer" with "EXTENSIVE water intrusion from (but not limited to) roof, windows, doors and balconies." There are also, as per listing information, "encroachment issues and other problems." The property is "subject to a short-sale" according to the now active listing and–somewhat shockingly–"WILL NOT QUALIFY FOR BANK FINANCING."

We're not quite sure where Miss Rihanna stays when she's in Los Angeles–perhaps she's leased another house or camps out in a deluxe suite at a swank hotel–but clearly she's not living in this near hovel of a house on a hilltop above Beverly Hills.

listing photos: Rodeo Realty via Redfin

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

I guess the damage really was that bad.
What the listing said is not surprising, no bank will give financing for a property in this condition that would not pass an inspection or get a certificate of occupancy.

Anonymous said...

wow, i hope rihanna sues the pants off the people she bought it from. I kinda thought she was just being dramatic about the leaking, but that looks like shit.

Anonymous said...

that house is so ugly it made my stomach turn

Cameron J. Awesome said...

Sad! It looked like such a lovely house when it was done. :(

Anonymous said...

Wow, I don't know what looks worse wet--that house or the sister's hair weave.

This is one more case of "get me the biggest my downpayment and monthly payment can afford."

Ralph's/Kroger/Walgreens metal store front looking windows, just stacked everywhere in this big, plain, ugly box. Big open spaces and white walls everywhere.

The only way to make this thing decent is $$pend alot on some modern, large, wall art and furnishings.

That place is junk and I am sure no real architect spent time on those plans and it just went up with the quickness. Makes you wonder about city inspectors.

Who would EVER drive up to that and say: "I want it!" Well, maybe someone wanting to show off some wayyyy nice art--it could work for that. But that's it.

Looking at it again, it's not even a good modern house. What is it?? Just look at those windows--heinous. It's like out of the guy who wrote green eggs and ham--very wonky.

Well, that's just pathetic.

Mama's black sheep in Weho.

Anonymous said...

The house is ugly, but I would love to take a few showers with Rihanna in that amazing shower:)

Anonymous said...

Oh, how hideous can it be... YUCK! Some sort of provincial brutalism-style house. Horrendous. I can't wait to see what sort of monstrosity she snaps up next.

Anonymous said...

This house is simply ugly. I don't know even where to start.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if any experienced L.A. property developers would look at the value of the land, and replacing the damaged house with something completely new? Would that be even economically viable?

Anonymous said...

Not much sympathy for her. I am sure she had ample time for her due dilligence on this property when she purchased. . The fact that a "celebrity" of her magnitude and non talent can do a SHORT SALE while homeowners in true need are kicked out of their primary homes, is so disgusting I can not stand it!! I have no problem with her suing whomever, but why would a bank agree to short sale this?? What was her hardship other than stupidity??

Anonymous said...

It "could" be fixed a bit with landscaping to soften the horrid architecture.

The front drive area is so un-inviting.

Desert Donna said...

Maybe this inspired her new song "We found love in HOPELESS PLACE" ?? Is she dating her contractor??

Anonymous said...

Next time hire a home inspector and look before you leap....

hippie canyon said...

This was a rip-off from the beginning. Every house on Janice looks like the average middle class tract house. Come to the end of the street, drive up onto a tacky SHARED driveway of concrete brickettes, passed another ho-hum tract house, and you're there. My guess is the limo windows were so dark and she was so coked-up that she had no idea the "mansion" was in the middle of ho-hum city. As for the water damage, my sense is that it is due in-part to rainfall (a real problem when you leave doors/windows open). The other part is owed to sloppy construction work. The house could be repaired and made liveable, but... why? You'd still have an ugly over-priced house that does not fit with the rest of the 'hood. As I've said elsewhere, RiRi should just hire an arson and be done with it.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love Rihanna, but maybe the non-stoop radio play of that annoying 'Umbrella' song manifested this wet mess into existence. After all, the chorus was "ooh baby it's raining, raining," every other word was 'umbrella' and every other other word was '-ella, -ella, -ella.' I'm sure she wishes she had one big enough to protect that house during the occasional rain shower. I hope you win the lawsuit Robyn!

Anonymous said...

Everyone keeps making the comment that she should have hired a home inspector. How the hell do you know that she did not hire one?
In fact seeing as there is a mortgage on the property there had to have been an inspection on the property.
I have yet to see a mortgage on any home ever approved without an inspection and an appraisal.

Clearly the people making these comments are New York apartment dwellers that have never owned a home in their lives.

Anonymous said...

Anyonymous 1:45. There is no mandatory inspection requirement except for FHA/VA loans...this price range certainly does not fit in that category. The larger question is why someone in her league would take out a mortgage at all, and not pay cash. And short sale?? Please! But while we are on the subject of property defect litigation, any update on the Gallin lawsuit Mama???

angie said...

1:45 PM, there are inspectors and there are inspectors. Clearly the inspector who was employed for this home left a lot to be desired and probably should lose his license for overlooking such gross construction inadequacies. I've owned homes for most of my life on all 4 coasts at one time or another. You should always spend the extra money to hire an additional independent inspector of YOUR choosing with a reputation for leaving no stone unturned and a superior knowledge of construction codes. It wouldn't surprise me if Rhianna just went along with whom ever was recommended to her by the builder and/or realtor instead of doing her homework.

Batangas City real estate said...

I always adore your posts.. These celebrity houses were amazing, i feel like i am getting closer to the stars. Anyway, Rihanna's house is wonderful. Great look and interior.

candi speling said...

Shut up and drive.

Anonymous said...

3:08, no bank will give a mortgage without an inspection for the simple fact that they will not put themselves on the line for something like this happening. Nothing says smart fiscal decisions like giving a loan out for a million dollars and then the house is full of black mold and you have now lost all your money.
Most people take out mortgages on the homes because it is a write off on your taxes, especially if you are a higher earning individual. How do you not know this?

3:56, the homeowner always hires the inspector themselves and the inspectors are all licensed by the state, they are not average joes off the street and even if he was an inspector recommend by the agent, an agent who is dealing with homes at this price level is going to have great inspectors who have done work for them in the past. Every inspector I have ever dealt with was fantastic and very thorough, but there are things even they can see unless say it is raining or so on and they don't have X ray vision to see behind walls and plumbing and so on.

angie said...

12:50 PM, I reiterate that there are inspectors and there are inspectors. They are not all fantastic by a long shot. The horror stories re: inadequate/incompetent home inspections are myriad.

Anonymous said...

You can take the ghetto out of the girl...

Nicole Fisher said...
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Danny Garcia said...

Rihanna got ripped off!

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