Tuesday, April 24, 2012

It's Back: Meg Ryan Re-lists Bel Air Mansion

SELLER: Meg RyanLOCATION: Los Angeles, CA (Bel Air)
PRICE: $11,400,000

SIZE: 6,877 square feet, 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms

YOUR MAMAS NOTES: Brace yourselves, butter beans, because Meg Ryan's Los Angeles, CA mansion has popped back up on the open market for the 5th time since 1997 with a new, improved and much lower asking price of $11,400,000.

After first shopping it around off-market to folks like Mister and Missus Ben Affleck and British quasi-expats Mister and Missus Victoria Beckham, Miz Ryan had the drop-dead gorgeous Spanish-style casa on the open market from late-October 2008 until early January 2009 with an optimistic asking price of $19,500,000

In the fall of the same year (2009) Miz Ryan briefly re-listed the residence at $14,200,000 and the following fall (2010) put it out for lease at a mouth-drying $40,000 per month. Eventually, we first learned from from well-connected Tinseltowner Kenny Kissintell, Oscar winner and historic architecture buff Diane Keaton came along and rented Miz Ryan's meticulously updated, upgraded and maintained Bel Air mansion at an unknown amount of monthly remuneration.

The trout-pouted (former) rom-com queen—she's barely worked in The Big Bizness of Show since 2009 and, hence, ripe for a come back—seems to spend a great deal of time in New York City where she's often spotted around town with middle-aged rock star John Mellencamp. In fall 2010 Miz Ryan was reported to have signed a one-year lease for an approximately $25,000 per month rental in the Jean Nouvel-designed tower at 40 Mercer Street but we can't confirm or deny that tidbit nor do we know if she's moved on or signed an extension on the (alleged) lease. She owns a secluded residence near the quaint community of Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard she picked up in early 2004 for $2,270,000 and had photographed for the glossy pages of Elle Decor's June 2010 issue.

Back in Bel Air, Miz Ryan's privately situated estate, tucked into a hair pin curve in one of Bel Air's most posh pockets, sits surrounded by mansions and estates owned by a plethora of high-profile peeps who include Academy Award-winning legend Clint Eastwood, television super-producer Darren Star (who had his newly remodeled residence photographed for the March 2012 issue of Architectural Digest), Showbiz icon Robert Redford and, right next door to Miz Ryan's place, the Richard Neutra-designed Brown-Sidney House now owed and extensively restored/renovated by fashion world superstar turned film producer Tom Ford, he-rah of the squinty-eyed smolder.

Property records show Miz Ryan procured her Bel Air mansion in October 2000 when she paid $8,500,000 for the multi-winged, two-story mansion that current listing information indicates was built in 1931 andmeasures 6,877 square feet with 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms plus additional living/sleeping quarters in a detached guest house near the swimming pool.

Interior spaces includes a step-down formal living room with fireplace, formal dining room, two family rooms, separate bar room, second floor screening room, and eat-in kitchen with commercial-style appliances and a massive center work island.

The museum quality renovation features dark hardwood floors, hand-stenciled and painted ceilings, vintage tiles, wrought iron details, dozens of archways, and French doors that spill out to various patios and loggias that give way to flat lawns, shaded terraces, a dining ramada with antique wood ceiling, and a small free-form swimming pool nestled into a lower terrace with stacked stone retaining wall. 

Your Mama has discussed Miz Ryan's no-longer-wanted Bel Air pad on several previous occasions so if you're interested in more prattling and pontificating head over here and here.


exterior aerial photo: Pacific Coast News
listing photos: Prudential California / Brentwood

20 comments:

SAM said...

Beige and brown = boring!

Anonymous said...

Had to Google to find out who she is. Was married to a Quaid evidently. I was most taken by a recent picture of her. She has a chin that outdoes Witherspoon's. Like an aggressive shovel. Not attractive, rather like her house decor is not attractive.

Anonymous said...

This means that Diane Keaton must be moving into her new house, that she built. I can't waite to see that one, it will be amazing I'm sure.

Ann Romney A Real Stay at Home Mom said...

This house is lovely and in a prime location. I so prefer Bel Air than Beverly Hill's pretentiousness.

Color can easily be added to this home and any other for that matter.

Anonymous said...

Oh Anon, don't pretend you didn't know who she is!LOL! She's way more famous than her ex.

Her house is lovely. No need for more color there. Not boring at all. Maybe this time it will sell because now finally the asking price is reasonable.

Anonymous said...

7:28..Is this the first house Diane built? She normally does renovations on historically significant homes. Bet she signed a listing contract on it on the same day she signed her mover contract to move in..she never stays long in one place. 4:18 is right..she ruined her looks with plastic surgery.

Anonymous said...

I love this house. I dunno if I'd buy the Carter house or this house? Both are amazing Bel Air beauties.

Where did Keaton build a house? Build build or renovate?

Candy Spelling said...

I do so agree with Mrs. Romney. I'd take Bel Air any day over Beverly Hills.

That being said, I don't like this house at all, inside or out. But I think the improved and motivated sale price will help to unload it quickly.

Aunt Gina said...

am I the only one who wonders why a single woman with no children needs 7000 square feet, six bedrooms and seven baths? I guess it's not about need, but more about being a movie star.

Real estate size queens, I will never understand them.

Ann Romney A Real Stay at Home Mom said...

Well, hi there Candy! Maybe we could meet up for lunch tomorrow, but only after I put my 31 y/o down for a nap!

Anonymous said...

Aunt Gina, Meg Ryan has two children ans is single-no-more. She has not lived in this mansion for nearly two years now, she lives in New York now with her kids.

Bruce Dyson said...

I like the house. I always wonder about which type of real estate brokers get these kinds of listings. They must be some kind of go getter's.

Aunt Gina said...

I have now educated myself and realize she is the mother of two, a son with Dennis Quaid, and a daughter adopted from China.

As regards the home, have to admit I am not a big fan of the hacienda style so revered in California. I'm just not feeling it, and for $11 million plus, I would have to really feel it.

Anonymous said...

You've Got ... A house that definitely won't sell. If it does, we'll be there - http://bit.ly/IYKEoo

Anonymous said...

OK, I'm going all kinds of batshitcrazypantsrodeo on this house.

Their two children raised and on their own, my grandparents retired and bought a big house - not like this big, but large. The place had porches, attic, basement, out-building, a detached garage and landscaped ground. It was professionally decorated in Forties style b/c it was, duh, the Fortes. Then they left it exactly the way it was until they died. It was deep-cleaned every spring and fall, but everything remained the same in excellent condition.

Manners were different then so we kids did not run all over the damned place. Most of the space was off-limits, private and mysterious. What grand memories and images my grandparents unknowing were creating for their grandchildren. I'd love to see some wealthy couple do something with a place like this.

Anonymous said...

HAHAH @ "Mr. and Mrs. Victoria Beckham"!! Just perfect. Mama, have I ever told you how amazing you are?!?!

Anonymous said...

The neighborhood comps don't justify this price. Got to go lower. No tickie, no washie.

Anonymous said...

Why would someone as $$$ as Dianne Keaton need to rent a home?! Cant take money with you when you go ya know - i will never understand rich folks!!!

Anonymous said...

It's now listed as 'pending' and accepting backup offers, so I guess the home has found a buyer. Any word on whom that might be, mama?

Anonymous said...

Meg Ryan bought her place on Martha's Vineyard in the summer of 2006 for close to 6 million.