Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Meat Loaf Moves to Texas

BUYER: Michael Lee Aday, a.k.a. Meat Loaf
LOCATION: Austin, TX
PRICE: $1,475,000
SIZE: 5,200 square feet, 4 bedroom, 5.5 bathrooms

YOUR MAMAS NOTES: We apologize in advance for being a bit flat and little slow to get back up in the celebrity real estate saddle after the Memorial Day hiatus, most of which Your Mama spent sauced up on gin & tonics, nursing ailing pooches, watching tomatoes ripen and entertaining the in-laws. We are, needless to day, in need of a holiday from the dead veterans-honoring holiday.

At some point during the still-a-bit-fuzzy-in-our-mind weekend we received a short communique from The Bizzy Boys at Celebrity Address Aerial that Michael Lee Aday—much better known as the comfort food-named actor and hard rock musician Meat Loaf—bought new digs in an affluent and fairly new development in the scenically stunning Hill Country just to the west of Austin, TX. At first Your Mama wondered why Mister Meat Loaf and the missus would relocate to Austin. Not that there's anything wrong with Austin we just didn't catch the connection until we learned from our research that Mister Meat Loaf was born and bred in Dallas. He's a Texan and once a Texan perhaps always a Texan.

Anyhoo, property records reveal in mid-March (2012) Mister Meat Loaf and his missus Deborah Gillespie—using the same trust in which their previous crib in Calabasas, CA was held—spent $1,475,000 to acquire a newly constructed, hacienda-style contemporary on a slightly elevated, 1.1 acre knoll with long and lovely southern vistas over the rolling, oak tree carpeted hills.

Listing information indicates the rambling, single-story residence measures about 5,200 square feet with 4-5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms. Listing information also shows construction was completed in 2012 and that the house was built with weather and fire resistant materials, energy efficient systems and environmentally sensitive doodads and gewgaws such as a rainwater collection situation.

The long, gated driveway curves up to a motor court around which the low-slung, red tile roofed residence and attached two-car garage angles itself. Plans included with marketing materials we cajoled up out of the internets call for an additional, detached two car garage opposite the house that may (or may not) be convertible according to community guidelines to a guest house, recording facility, Pilates studio or what have y'all.

The angled and unusually-shaped residence has a somewhat unorthodox layout that leaves the two primary public spaces with flexible (if somewhat vague) purposes. Sable marble tile floors in the foyer extend into an intimately-scaled space (with mantel-free fireplace) optimally utilized as a "formal" sitting/living room or a "formal" dining room.

The sable marble floors continue into a much larger, flexi-use space with two entire walls of Bauhaus-ian, almost-floor-to-ceiling windows fitted with EZ clean glass, whatever that is. The bigger room, with a bit of built in cabinetry and shelving along one wall, could be used as an over-sized "formal" dining room, a living/family room or an informal, combination living/dining area.

The larger flexi-use space opens, loft-like to the cook- and family-friendly eat-in kitchen well equipped with medium-grade stainless steel appliances, granite and marble counter tops, a double-wide center work-island with snack counter and window-lined breakfast nook with wide Hill Country view.

The master suite, well-placed for maximum privacy from other inhabitants of the house, occupies its own wing off the front foyer with a large walk-in closet and attached bathroom with double sinks, soaking tub, separate shower, enclosed cubicle for the crapper and heated marble floors. Clear at the opposite end of the house two of the three additional guest/family bedrooms open directly to the back yard while all three have a walk-in closet and private facility.

Off the lengthy, zig-zaggy corridor that connects the public rooms with the service areas and guest/family bedrooms, a den/study/office/library could be utilized as a formal dining room but the attached walk-in closet and private pooper make it far more suitable as a full-time sleeping chamber for a family member, a guest suite, or domestic quarters.

Almost every room in the house opens to or looks out over the back yard hemmed in and defined by a low-stone wall constructed of locally sourced stones. A lofty dining/lounging ramada stands adjacent to a plunge-sized swimming pool set into the craggy canopies of the properties numerous and ancient-looking oak trees.

The gated, master-planned development features a number of residents (and their guests) only amenities that include a community center that can be reserves for parties and other events; outdoor grilling facilities; a resort-style swimming pool; a couple of ponds stocked for easy-fishing; a children's playground with sport court; and 80 (or so) acres of nature preserve laced with stone pathways for strolling, bird-watching and jogging. For all that, according to listing information, homeowner association dues run $125 per month.

Mister and Missus Meat Loaf had their David Dalton-decorated suburban (mc)mansion near Calabasas, CA photographed for the April 2008 issue of Architectural Digest. A little more than two years later, as do many celebrities who have their private homes featured in the high-gloss property porn publication, Mister and Missus Meat loaf pushed their Calabasas crib on the open market with a $3,200,00 price tag. Your Mama (dissed and) discussed the 7,142 square foot Spanish-style casa in spring 2011 and property records indicate the 7 bedroom and 7 bathroom mansion, situated in a small and upscale, gated development just off Mulholland Highway, sold for $3,065,000 in late May 2011.

listing photos: Dara & Associates via Redfin

P.S. We'd like to wish a heartfelt happy birfday our boozy, spandex-sporting b.f.f. Fiona Trambeau. She may be a boiling cauldron of turmoil and trouble who frequently puts Your Mama's life in danger but she's a treasure worth every single minute we've ever spent holding her wig up out of the terlit.

20 comments:

Splenderosa said...

Yep, Mama, once a Texan always a Texan. No doubt.

Carla Ridge said...

I have one of those souvenir "Maps To The Stars' Homes" just for camp value; my favorite listing in the alphabetical directory is the former home of "Loaf, Meat" on North Beverly Drive, LOL.

Anonymous said...

So surprised at this purchase. I heard he was just so very close to picking up Suzanne Saperstein's pile. Suzanne was even willing to throw in a rider lawn mower to sweeten the pot.

Anonymous said...

I heard Suzanne even offered to throw herself in with her pile to sweeten the pot, but the deal abruptly fell through soon after.

Anonymous said...

Carla Ridge,

Can you tell me about LA neighborhoods downtown? I was wondering if the downtown areas were looking better? Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

lil' gay boy said...

If there were any two architectural "styles" more diametrically opposed than pseudo-Mock Med and Bauhaus, I cannot imagine them -- the combination here is criminally grim, with all the charm of a tract home remodel.

Mr. Loaf should have stuck with Ellen Foley, IMHO.

Desert Donna said...

Fiona's birth deserved more than this Mama. Meat Loaf?? However the Sapperstein comments by the children saved the day! I heard Suzanne is offering the buyer of her home all the russian caviar a size zero female can eat, and Suzi will move out in two days after the sale, at her OWN expense.

Anonymous said...

I wonder why all of these people are moving from places like NY and CA to Texas? Could it have to do with no State Tax?? And I wonder why North Dakota has the lowest unemployment in the Nation? Gee, it couldnt have to do with pro energy drilling (providing jobs) on private land, could it?

Anonymous said...

Yes, although I tend to like the old "hacienda-style", I don't think the interior design of this home makes the geographical transition any less painful. And I do like Austin, as well. This home is just trendy, at best. Welcome home, Casserole. It appears that you now have mucho tax deductions to hide them there capital gains you earned with the sale of your big Bev Hills manse. Better watch your spending. The demand for burned out rawk stars is ever dwindling in Tejas.

And happy birthday, Fiona, you little vamp! You and mama have a big old Texas-sized G&T on me, dahling.

Madam Pince said...

Happy birthday, Fiona!

Carla Ridge said...

Anon 1:09 PM: While I do like to get downtown from time to time (Little Tokyo in partick!), and do have opinions, i have to say my expertise on the area is not as exhaustive as other areas of town. After all, there are scores of people who are fanatic on the subject of DTLA and I must defer to their greater insight. Try LAist.com or BrighamYen.com (yes, he's a friend of mine)...I'd hate to steer you wrong!

Candy Spelling said...

Darlings, I must offer my expertise on the DTLA area. While I find all the skyrises to be beautiful and the area is culturally diverse, I would never recommend living there! Heavens to Betsy, sweeties! The area is overpriced because of all the finance people who live there, so unless you live in the area, hunny take my advice and steer clear! Century City is better in every way!

The only time I venture to downtown is for a lunch date at Bottega Louie! And I always insist on the valets walking me to the door. So many shady individuals around eyeing my purse and jewelry!

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Carla Ridge!!

lil' gay boy said...

Does one dare ask, numerically speaking, just which birthday our dear Fiona is celebrating?

Anonymous said...

Isn't Meat Loaf's first name MARVIN not Michael? Are you sure this is not a relative such as a son or brother?

Anonymous said...

Trump asked Meat Loaf on Celebrity Apprentice what his first name is and Marvin was the answer given. I am a longtime fan and know Marvin is his birth name. Wikipedia reports both Marvin and Michael but that site is notoriously wrong as anyone can edit information on the any subject without oversight or knowledge (and most times it is quite inaccurate info as well).

Anonymous said...

he was born marvin. legally changed his name to Michael.

here it all is straight from the meat loaf's mouth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP8Lsp8p8iY

Anonymous said...

Mama, this is so totally boring I have no words at all. Please find us more interesting stuff. There must be a lot around.

Anonymous said...

Not everyone wants to live in LA or NYC
Austin is a great place to settle down. And it does not cost an arm and a leg.

midTN said...

***

This is one butt ugly house.......ugggh!

***