Table of Contents
Written by Wendy Bowman
The Beautiful View
A grand 35,000-square-foot Bel-Air mansion built by renowned real estate developer Mohamed Hadid has entered the market with an $85 million price tag. Hadid is known for building extravagant mansions and hotels in Bel-Air, and this French-inspired chateau is no exception. In keeping with its name—Le Belvédère, which means “The Beautiful View”—the gated, three-story estate is set on 2.2 acres in Holmby Hills and offers stunning 280-degree city and mountain vistas. Not to mention beautiful grounds showcasing fountains, a loggia and terraces, an infinity pool, a spa and a swan pond—all encased within a 1,000-foot-long by 36-foot-high hand-chiseled Jerusalem stone wall. Inside, one will find approximately 35,000 square feet of living space highlighted by opulent details and finishes. “The residence’s interiors and exteriors are astonishing, a true work of art, exquisitely sculpted and hand-finished by 100 master craftsmen from around the world,” says Stacy Gottula of The Agency, who is co-listing the property with Joyce Rey of Coldwell Banker.
Among the standout features are 10 bedrooms (including two palatial master suites, one boasting a walk-in closet that can hold more than 1,000 pairs of shoes); a 60-seat screening room; a grand ballroom that accommodates up to 250 guests; a 5,000-bottle wine cellar; a Moroccan-inspired room (sporting gem-tone hand finishes and luxurious fabrics); a Turkish-style spa (featuring floor-to-ceiling iridescent Moroccan tiles); a gym; and a commercial kitchen. Rounding out the home’s special appeal is a motor court with secure parking for up to 20 cars, 14 fireplaces with imported marble and wood mantles, and of course, an elevator. “There are very few stone, European chateaus that are state-of-the-art with every modern convenience, yet exemplifying magnificent, Old World detailing and unsurpassed quality,” says Rey. The home was constructed in 2006 and sold to international investors in 2010 for $50 million.
photos courtesy of Linda Kasian
Investigate This
The actress best known for her role as detective Olivia Benson on the NBC drama series Law and Order: Special Victims Unit once called this property home.
Now the former residence of Mariska Hargitay and her husband (and fellow Law and Order: SVU actor) Peter Hermann, is on the market for $4.75 million, listed by Roger Perry of Rodeo Realty. Situated at 9274 Warbler Way in Hollywood Hills—in the exclusive bird streets neighborhood above Sunset Strip—the three-story, Spanish-style estate features more than 5,000 square feet of open living space, including five bedrooms; a professional chef’s kitchen with Viking appliances; a home theater; a fitness room; and a wine cellar. Other standout attributes include a two-story guesthouse with a separate entrance, kitchen, office and bedroom; a pool area boasting an enclosed cabana/lounge room; and first-rate, 180-degree ocean, city and canyon views.
photos courtesy of Ray Campbell
Old Hollywood
Two homes owned by show-biz icons now are on the up for grabs in L.A.
Among the highlights are four bedrooms (including an owner’s suite with dual spa-like bathrooms and dressing closets); a sun-filled formal living room with fireplace, high ceilings and access to a deck with a barbecue island ideal for outdoor dining and entertaining; a formal dining room that flows into a chef’s kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances; a cozy family/media room with a fireplace and custom shelves; a bonus/office; and an en-suite guest/maid quarters. Outdoors, one will find a lighted tennis court; resort-style pool and spa; and lushly landscaped grounds that include deeded access to Little Dume Beach. “It’s an ocean-view, resort-style lifestyle,” says listing agent Chris Cortazzo of Coldwell Banker. “With some of the most desirable beaches in Malibu and the award-winningMarine Science School, Point Dume is a mecca for families and celebrities.”
photos courtesy of Simon Berlyn
Rocker Sells Malibu Home
Mark Morgan of the 1980’s pop/rock band Starship has handed over his architectural home in Malibu for $4.1 million. Found at 5501 Horizon Drive—in the Malibu Park neighborhood above Zuma Beach—the property was built by Morgan’s notable architect father, Melford Morgan, and features almost 5,000 square feet of globally influenced interiors fusing traditional Balinese design with modern elements.
Also on hand are three bedrooms (including a spacious master suite overlooking the coast and featuring a den, a spa bathroom and a massive walk-in closet) and a guest house/recording studio. Morgan was a member of the pop/rock band Starship, best known for the hits “Sara” and “We Built This City.”
He now works in film, TV and video games. Terre Steinbeck of Rodeo Realty and Matt Rapf of Pritchett-Rapf & Assoc. served as the listing agents, while Nicole Giangrosso of Rodeo Realty represented the buyer.
photos courtesy of Aaron Hoffman
Also on the market for $2.65 million is the Spanish-style Century City condo that late Oscar-winning actor Burt Lancaster called home for nearly 20 years. Situated at 2220 Avenue of the Stars (No. 1805/6), the 18th-story unit is found in the Century Towers high-rise, where Lancaster purchased two corner units and then combined them into a single 2,800-square-foot residence.
In addition to unobstructed ocean and mountain views from almost every space in the residence, the Hal Levitt-designed condo features two bedrooms (including a massive master suite with his and her baths and spacious closets); a large, open great room sporting a heavy wood-beamed ceiling and plentiful natural light; and abundant amenities from a putting green to valet parking. Another definite plus: the ancient, studded front door. Listing agents are Ben Bacal and Deanna Smith of Rodeo Realty.