A 2,855-square-foot unit is up for grabs in one of only a few condominiums located on the prime stretch of Central Park West.
And it has a coveted perk that’s hard to find in the middle of a bustling city: Park views from nearly every window!
The corner unit is located directly across the street from Central Park, between 88th Street and 89th Street on the Upper West Side, surrounded by lush greenery that can make you forget you’re in the very heart of one of the world’s busiest cities.
The condo unit is in the 279 Central Park West building, a 24-story, full-service condo designed by acclaimed architect and designer Costas Kondylis.
If the name sounds familiar, that’s because the prolific architect helped shape the New York skyline, designing over 85 buildings, many of them for former U.S. President Donald Trump. Specializing in luxury buildings and residential skyscrapers, Constantine “Costas” Kondylis was President Trump’s go-to designer, before passing away in 2018.
The 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom duplex home — listed for $7,750,000 with Harriet Kaufman of Coldwell Banker Warburg — offers kitchen and entertaining areas on the lower level and private bedrooms on the upper level.
The 279 Central Park West condo welcomes guests and residents with a charming foyer with a powder room, before leading them into an expansive 35-foot living and dining area, adorned with oversized bay windows that open up to panoramic Central Park views.
The oversized kitchen features top-of-the-line appliances, plenty of storage and counter space, and a large eat-in area with a south-facing window.
An elegant staircase then leads to the upper level, where we find the condo’s 3 bedrooms (all featuring en-suite baths) and a home office.
Future owners of the 279 Central Park West condo will get to enjoy the building’s many amenities, which include a gym, indoor/ outdoor playroom, bike room, and private storage.
But the biggest draw is by far the building’s stellar location and proximity to Central Park and all the best New York City has to offer.
And if extra bragging points are needed, a Rockefeller also lived in the building.
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Ah, fall. It’s the time of year that comes with many welcomed changes: new colors; cooler temperatures; and, perhaps the most exciting, festive home transformations. While some take the spooky route and adorn their abodes with macabre Halloween decorations, others opt for a more classic look that isn’t so holiday-specific. Although both approaches can be great if executed correctly, it appears Melissa Gorga falls into the latter group.
How to Watch
On Saturday, October 21, The Real Housewives of New Jersey mom lifted the curtain on her freshly decorated front porch. Melissa posted a handful of Instagram photos of her posing outside her Franklin Lakes home on a recent rainy day. One shot showed the RHONJ cast member with her arms spread out as she stood atop the entrance steps, which were covered with dozens of cascading pumpkins in various shapes, colors, and sizes.
Melissa credited the design to Nicki Wszelaki’s A Tufted Life, a New Jersey-based lifestyle brand that specializes in home decor.
Melissa Gorga embraces fall “with pumpkins On Display”
“Rainy days with pumpkins On Display. I love fall!” she captioned the carousel. “Thanks to [A Tufted Life] making it perfect! Now how long you think before I start decorating for christmas?!!”
Melissa shared the update more than two years after she and her husband, Joe Gorga, purchased the property and embarked on an ambitious house renovation. After months and months of construction and remodeling, the family finally moved into the Jersey home last November, and have continued to make it their own.
Melissa and Joe Gorga showcase their beautiful backyard
Earlier this month, Melissa shared another peek at her home’s sprawling backyard where she spotted a little deer “just chilling.” The snap highlighted her amazing swimming pool, lush landscaping, and inviting cabanas.
As Joe previously revealed, the outdoor space was finally completed at the beginning of June, just in time for the warm-weather months.
“We got this done. Let me tell you something, it looks gorgeous,” he said in an Instagram Story which focused on the pool. “Love this… Look at that — waterfalls. Look at these lights. Gorgeous!”
RHONJ ladies reveal their Halloween home decor
Melissa’s RHONJ castmates have also taken to Instagram to show off their fall home decor. Jennifer Aydin enlisted Christmas Designers of NJ to transform her foyer into an eerie yet elegant space complete with faux spider webs, torches, florals, and string lights.
Dolores Catania also embraced the spooky spirit by decorating her front lawn with purple and orange lights, as well as a towering Jack Skellington statue.
“Love my Halloween lights,” the Jersey mom captioned a Story. “Thank you to [Christmas Designers of New Jersey].”
An ultra-private home with celebrity pedigree has recently been listed for sale in the hillside community of Franklin Hills, in Los Angeles.
The Sanborn Avenue residence was previously home to musician Graham Nash, best known for his light tenor voice and for his contributions as a member of the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer called the Los Feliz residence home at the height of his fame and the property was even referenced in Nash’s 2013 autobiography, Wild Tales: A Rock & Roll Life, where the musician shared stories about his fellow bandmate Stephen Stills and how he would randomly drop by the house to share entire lamb dinners with Nash’s family.
And while it’s been a while since the house’s former famous resident moved out, the 1923-built property has all the potential to attract new star power — especially given how private it is.
Perfectly sited atop a lushly landscaped hillside that looks out to city and mountain views, this beautifully reimagined Franklin Hills home is on the market with a $1,595,000 asking price. Katie Crain and John Podhor with Compass hold the listing.
Nestled within the vibrant communities of Los Feliz and Silver Lake, the 1,647-square-foot home has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths.
Upon entering the property, you’ll discover well-designed, light-filled living spaces that showcase meticulous attention to detail.
The spacious foyer leads to the primary bedroom, which includes two walk-in closets and an en-suite bathroom with Carrara marble countertops, a double vanity, a Kohler soaking tub, and a separate shower. A laundry room is conveniently located nearby.
Ascending an oak staircase, we find a chef’s dream kitchen featuring a large island with Caesarstone countertops, custom walnut millwork and shelving, Thermador appliances, and Velux skylights.
The adjacent dining room has original wood windows and sliding doors that open to a charming outdoor patio with native plantings and a cedar hot tub.
The guest bedroom boasts a designer bathroom with Carrara countertops and a custom walnut vanity, along with access to another outdoor patio. The sunlit living room on the upper level offers panoramic views through large windows and French doors leading to a deck.
See also: Selena Gomez’s house, once owned by singer Tom Petty & its troubled past
Additional features of the property include white oak floors and ample storage space.
While the size and location of the hillside lot doesn’t offer much room for outdoor amenities, the Crosby, Stills & Nash musician’s former home is quite creative when it comes to outdoor spaces — and has plenty of extra charming patios and seating areas to take in the splendid views.
And they’ve all been set up for residents and their guests to enjoy morning coffees, weekend brunches, and dinner parties while looking out to expansive views that span from the Griffith Observatory and Hollywood sign to Century City and beyond.
Located in close proximity to the shops and restaurants of both Los Feliz and Silver Lake, this home epitomizes the California lifestyle. And its ties to former Crosby, Stills & Nash band member Graham Nash definitely add to its appeal.
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Famed Cuban-American alto saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer Paquito D’Rivera is looking for a buyer for his longtime home in New Jersey.
Located on the Hudson River waterfront, the majestic North Bergen Colonial he’s been calling home since 2001 is currently on the market for $1.65 million, with Angela Cuciniello of Coldwell Banker Realty in Hoboken holding the listing.
“It is an honor to have been selected by Paquito to represent his amazing home,” said Cuciniello about working with the jazz icon.
D’Rivera, celebrated both for his artistry in Latin jazz and his achievements as a classical composer, has 5 Grammy Awards (and 9 Latin Grammys) under his belt, and an impressive total of 16 nominations.
He has also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Carnegie Hall for his contributions to Latin music, among many other industry accolades that recognized his achievements — which spanned decades and tens of solo albums and collaborations. Paquito D’Rivera was also one of the founding members of the United Nation Orchestra, a 15-piece ensemble organized by Dizzy Gillespie to showcase the fusion of Latin and Caribbean influences with jazz.
At 75, he is still busy composing classical pieces for clarinet and performing, including collaborations with classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
The jazz legend bought the New Jersey house back in 2001 for $750,000, and the 4-bedroom home has served as his primary residence ever since. And as it turns out, there aren’t many like it.
“This is a rarity, one of only three Colonials of this size nestled on Boulevard East with sweeping views of the sparkling Manhattan skyline from across the Hudson,” listing agent Angela Cuciniello tells us. “It is rich in history and touched by fame.”
Originally built in 2011, the 4-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom brick home has been well maintained and updated throughout the decades, retaining its historic charm.
D’Rivera expanded the house’s original footprint, adding a two-story addition, a supersized chef’s eat-in kitchen, a junior bedroom suite on the second level, and five-zone climate control throughout more than 4,100 square-feet of space.
The home’s charming features include a formal entrance foyer, a three-story staircase, large rooms with 10-foot ceilings, detailed moldings, and an abundance of windows, including stained glass.
See also: Tony Soprano’s house is a real-life home in New Jersey — and the pool and driveway look awfully familiar
Highlights of the first floor are a living room with marbled fireplace, a den that opens to a large blue-stone terrace, and a sizeable formal dining room. On the upper two floors are four generously sized bedrooms, three full baths and a Juliette balcony that overlooks picturesque postcard views of the New York City skyline and Hudson River.
The lower level offers a spa, sauna, steam room and a billiards room.
Designed to entertain, the home features a heated Gunite swimming pool, while the backyard outdoor space is enclosed by motorized steel gates.
The location doesn’t leave much to be desired, as Paquito D’Rivera’s house is just a short stroll away from shopping and dining on the waterfront, and an approximately 20-minute commute to New York City.
Featured image credit: Jump Visual courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty, insert Jacek Proszyk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Blend futuristic art with immaculate California nature and you’ll get Malibu’s groundbreaking Glass-and-Steel House — if you can shell out $59.5 million, that is.
41800 Pacific Coast Highway’s not-so-humble price point of nearly $60 million includes four bedrooms and six bathrooms with a detached one-bed, one-bath guesthouse on 8,206 square feet of pure architectural excellence.
The unrivaled property is situated on a pristine Malibu beach lot boasting a Harrison Reef tide pool and dramatic ocean and canyon views. Best of all, the location is distinctly private, ensuring its next owner the utmost exclusivity.
An Ed Niles masterpiece
Renowned architect Edward R. Niles, who’s been creating iconic structures since 1979, expertly balanced cutting-edge ideas with timeless elements to create arguably his best endeavor — the Malibu Glass-and-Steel House — which is, in essence, a livable art piece to the likes of the Guggenheim Museum.
The avant-garde abode is defined by sharp geometric angles, varied shapes, and out-of-the-box materials like glass, steel, and concrete, all thoughtfully executed and flowing beautifully together.
In other words, it’s a far cry from your average home.
Feng Shui and Japanese influences
Despite its futuristic appeal, the house still manages to achieve a homey feel by balancing the cold steel and concrete with warm natural elements throughout.
The original owner of the house, Dr. Wei-Tzuoh Chen, was passionate about Feng Shui – and it’s noted in the carefully curated details.
The home’s prime location on a hill just 75 feet away from water adheres perfectly to the ancient Chinese art form’s principles, and its south-facing facade is ideal for balance, harmony, and good fortune.
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Taking Feng Shui to the next level, architect Niles strategically incorporated the lucky number 8- doubling in meaning as the infinity symbol throughout the house, from its eight separate structures united as one to tasteful sculptures and furnishings highlighting the powerful number that represents abundance.
The notes of red carefully scattered across the grounds also symbolize luck and prosperity, which the future homeowner is bound to have already, considering the property’s eye-boggling price tag.
Niles also tapped into the Japanese architectural Shoji concept of translucency when designing the modern masterpiece, and its influence can be seen in the property’s abundant windows that lend way to striking views of the Southern California coastline.
Even the ceiling is made of glass, giving the interior a bright atrium vibe while filtering in the sunshine.
Now listed for $59.9 million
Originally listed in March 2023 with an ambitious $68.8 million price tag, the Ed Niles-designed home recently had its price re-adjusted to $59.9 million.
Madison Hildebrand and Jennifer Chrisman at Compass and Wendy Wong and Katherine Quach of Treelane Realty Group are spearheading the home sale.
Says Hildebrand, “It’s a rare occurrence where art meets nature. From the moment you arrive, you realize it’s unlike any other property along the Malibu coastline. Every angle, shape, and material was carefully thought out to provide a unique experience. And, being only 25 minutes from the Camarillo airport, it’s perfect for those looking to escape unnoticed.”
Steel beams and floor-to-ceiling glass walls juxtapose the lush canyon surrounding them. But the real magic lies inside.
Enter the private gates and through a minimalist yet dramatic foyer and you’ll be greeted with an open floor plan featuring the main living space and sleek stainless steel Bulthaup kitchen, including Sub-Zero refrigerators, limestone floors, and high-quality cabinetry and furniture designed by the architect himself.
While the main floor is spectacular, the upstairs — which features four en-suite oceanview bedrooms and living spaces and can be accessed by hydraulic elevator — is just as otherworldly and aesthetically pleasing.
This home boasts bragging rights beyond its one-of-a-kind structure and world-class location, though.
Featuring a state-of-the-art music room, a soundproof home theater that seats up to 19 people, and a built-in audio system throughout the structure, it’s also an entertainer’s paradise.
You can effortlessly bring the party outside thanks to the property’s expansive outdoor space with enough room to host over 100 guests.
Between the Japanese soaking tub, conversation fire pit, and barbecue area — all with outstanding vistas of the home’s 75-foot fine sand beach and the breathtaking ocean beyond it — you can bet that no guest will get bored.
One multi-millionaire with almost $60 million to spare will be fortunate enough to call this innovative and tasteful home (and a slice of Malibu Beach) all their own. And we’ll be keeping an eye out to see who the lucky future owner will be.
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Minutes from Boston, in the coveted Country Club section of Brookline, Massachusetts, a remarkable architectural gem has landed on the market with a hefty price tag.
The sprawling Grand Georgian Revival Estate set at 333 Lee Street, priced at a whopping $28 million, is a testament to exquisite craftsmanship and a historic legacy that stretches back to its designer, William Truman Aldrich. Patrice Clunan with Coldwell Banker Realty holds the listing.
Originally built with double-brick construction in 1928, the stately mansion that anchors the estate has 16,233 square feet of living space — with a total of 23 rooms, 10 of which are bedrooms.
And despite its impressive size, it’s not the only structure on the property, with a one-bedroom brick and slate carriage house (with its own private garden) adding some extra square footage.
Designed by the esteemed architect William Truman Aldrich (who was also the brother-in-law of John D. Rockefeller) the property bears the hallmark of Aldrich’s training at MIT and École Des Beaux Arts in Paris. The architect’s impressive portfolio includes projects such as the country estate of Henry Cabot Lodge in Beverly, MA and significant contributions to the Rhode Island School of Design.
His work, including this Brookline, Massachusetts home, often exemplified the Georgian Revival style, characterized by 17th-century details, carved stone, and elegant French doors crowned with segmental arches. A steep roofline and tall chimneys underline the home’s substantial yet refined nature.
The main residence spans a staggering 16,233 square feet across 23 rooms, featuring 10 bedrooms, 7 full bathrooms, 3 half bathrooms, and a total of 9 fireplaces.
As you step into the grand foyer, you’re greeted by quarter-sawn oak parquetry floors with a starburst motif. The library, adorned with hand-carved oak paneling and a French-inspired fireplace, exudes timeless elegance. Sunlight bathes the living room, where French boiserie-style paneling and intricate crown molding steal the show.
The kitchen showcases a custom-designed Molteni stove imported from France, typically found in the world’s finest restaurants, and Sub-Zero refrigerators. An informal dining area opens onto the garden, leading to a spacious family room with a green marble fireplace.
The second and third floors house the home’s private quarters, including seven family and guest bedrooms, along with an impressive primary suite.
Descend to the lower level, where a recreation room, meditation room, gym, office, wine cellar, and full bath with a sauna await. From the meditation room, a sixty-foot underground art gallery passageway leads to the pool pavilion.
And we can’t quite decide what’s more impressive: the 60-foot art gallery passageway, or the 6,839-square-foot pool pavilion it leads to.
Spanning 6,839 square feet, the pool pavilion offers an unexpected surprise — an indoor Olympic-length pool, complete with a gourmet kitchen, dining area, hot tub, steam room, and sauna for eight. Trompe l’oeil detailing and a massive outdoor terrace surrounding a round fountain add to its allure.
The property also includes a one-bedroom brick-and-slate carriage house with a private garden.
Set within a gated 3.2-acre estate, this property boasts beautifully manicured park-like grounds, an apple orchard, terraces, and a canopy of mature trees, a secluded oasis that seamlessly blends traditional aesthetics with modern comforts, making it ideal for both family living and grand entertaining.
Located steps from Brookline’s renowned Country Club, and about five minutes away from Tom Brady’s former Boston-area home, 333 Lee Street presents an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime. With its sought-after location, rich architectural heritage, and modern amenities, it stands as a testament to timeless luxury and impeccable craftsmanship.
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Stop the presses — the new H&M furniture collection just dropped, and I’m already imagining each piece in my apartment. Truly, I wasn’t looking for new home decor,but a fall outfit inspo search unexpectedly led me to this wonderful news, and there’s no turning back now.
H&M’s furniture collection has an acute attention to detail and a commitment to contemporary decor that I absolutely love. Due to the minimalist nature of the collection, you’re sure to find furniture that pairs well with any mid-century modern pieces you probably already have. Plus, H&M made sure to include kid-friendly furniture that will help your little ones feel like they have their own fun space within your home. Here’s what on my radar for my apartment and growing toddler!
Wood and Glass Table Lamp ($43)
IMO, table lamps are non-negotiable. Whether you put one of H&M’s wood and glass table lamps in the foyer of your home or on one of the side tables in your living room, you’ll live for the stylish illumination.
Children’s Storage Bench – Green ($111)
Having a small child in your home often means you’re stepped over stuffed animals, crayons and toys. To help your child know exactly where to find their favorite toy — and avoid a meltdown — invest in this storage bench. Your late night runs to the bathroom will love the ease of not stepping on a small toy that sends shooting pain up your leg.
Children’s Desk – Green ($111)
If you’re a part of the remote work life, you’ve probably seen your little one try to mimic you working at your desk. The beautiful thing about gifting them with their very own desk is they’re more likely to draw on that than your walls.
Metal-frame Mirror ($137)
“Mirror, mirror on the wall…” comes to mind when I look at this metal-framed beauty. It’s the perfect piece to add to your living room or bedroom!
Plush Stool ($149)
I’m not sure how safe it is to add more light beige furniture knowing my toddler loves to roam around the apartment, but this plush stool is too good to ignore. It can be an accent piece or can be added to the far end of our sectional for a full chaise effect.
Mango Wood Side Table ($261)
This wood side table seems like it was designed for fall. It has a rustic farmhouse, yet still modern appeal that I think can work for anyone.
Wooden Folding Chair ($171)
I’m fond of rattan chairs because I grew up seeing them around, so I’m drooling over this wooden folding chair. It deserves a special place in my office for sure!
How do you feel about the new H&M furniture collection? Share your thoughts in the comments!
From the Victorian era to modern day homes, these parlor ideas will help you make the most of yours.
Parlor rooms, also known as reception rooms, have existed since the Victorian era. After the early 1800s, parlor rooms became a fixture in middle and upper-class American homes. They are natural gathering places for guests and families to enjoy an entertaining afternoon or evening. Since parlors reflect each family’s personality, much thought goes into furnishings and design. Decor, vintage artwork, grand pianos, and other decorative elements, such as sculptures and vases, are commonplace in today’s parlor rooms.
Although living rooms, sitting rooms, and dens have largely replaced parlors in newly built homes, older homes still have this feature. To help you decorate your own parlor space, interior design experts explain what a parlor is, the history of the space, and how to make the most of yours with modern and timeless elements.
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What Is a Parlor?
The word parlor stems from the French word parler, meaning to speak. “A parlor is a classic term for formal living rooms, which are historically sitting rooms featuring fine furniture towards the front of the home,” says Audrey Scheck, principal designer and founder of Audrey Scheck Designs. “Parlors were originally designed as a space to receive and entertain guests. In modern times, we’re seeing these spaces function more as reading rooms and office spaces.”
Because the idea of a receiving room is a bit outdated, they’re often used for other purposes in homes today. “Often these parlor rooms make perfect home offices due to their size and location (close to the house’s entry and away from the clatter of the kitchen),” explains interior designer Molly McGinness. Depending on the needs of your family, parlor rooms can be refashioned to suit any need, making them a versatile ground-floor staple.
The History of Parlors
Parlors date back to medieval monasteries. Monks used the outer rooms—or parlors—to conduct business with laypeople and visitors, while inner rooms were for gathering with members.
Fast-forward to the 18th and 19th centuries, land ownership and trade were the main methods of accumulating wealth. Over time, parlors became public symbols of that wealth, complete with expensive furniture, rare artworks, and other status signifiers. Families would put their best, most impressive items in this room for guests to see.
McGinness says that family would not have been allowed to just “hang out” in the parlor. Instead, it was truly reserved for guests. Because parlors are typically located just off the foyer, having one helped keep the other parts of the home truly private.
Modern Parlor Rooms Are More Multi-Functional
Today, parlors can still be the center of social life in a home, but usually they are less ostentatious. The furniture is more comfortable, and is often situated to facilitate vibrant conversation. Unlike the living room, a modern parlor may still have sturdy upright seats rather than sinking couches for lounging. Also, parlors are typically more low tech than a living or family room, usually without a television as a focal point.
Since they typically connect to the primary entryway, parlors can also serve as a waiting room. It is useful to hold guests in a parlor to avoid ushering them into a dinner or house party that isn’t quite ready. Family portraits may still grace the walls but, these days, notable artwork is usually hung in the interior of the house, where it will be enjoyed more often by the family.
In the modern era, people need multi-functional spaces. A parlor can be a quiet place to take calls, read, or work. Because they are usually close to the front of the house, they are known for good natural light during the day and may double as a yoga or meditation room. And, while not their original purpose, a spacious parlor room may even be repurposed as a guest room, home office, or reading area. The room can be transformed into anything, really.
“I’ve worked on projects where the parlor is turned into a library, a minor living room and a playroom,” McGinness says. “In a recent project of mine, in a contemporary house updated from a colonial, the room that would have been the parlor became a mahjong game room.”
Design Ideas for a Parlor Room
When designing a parlor room, Scheck suggests creating a cozy atmosphere to both welcome guests and build a functional space your family will use. “Think ample seating in an array of textured fabrics with multiple lighting sources (lamps, sconces, etc.) to create a warm ambiance,” she says.
Parlors are also the perfect opportunity to go bold with paint or use patterned wallpaper. “Some of our favorite ways to achieve this is through color drenching the room, utilizing lacquer paint to create shine and depth in the room, or wallpapering the ceiling for an unexpected way to make your parlor pop,” Scheck explains.
Because parlors historically do not have electronics, incorporating built-in speakers into the ceiling can be a classy upgrade. Playing music in the background can help guests set the mood for the social gatherings to follow.
Related: The 10 Best Wallpapers of 2023 to Add Visual Flair to Any Room, According to Our Testing
Is a Parlor Worth It?
If you’re building a new home, chances are that a formal parlor isn’t on the top of your must-have list. Since many families repurpose the existing parlor spaces in older homes, there can be better uses for the square footage in a new build.
But McGinness says the positive features of a parlor shouldn’t be overlooked. “Architecturally, they still exist as we care for older homes, remodel and rework existing spaces for our contemporary lives,” she says. Because parlors rarely have technology, they a blank slate. Maintaining them in their original state can help a home retain its regal and classic charm. On the other hand, remodeling them can make for a DIY project that allows a family to leave their personalized mark on the place.
Whether for frequent or occasional use, parlors are certainly worth having. However, building one where it doesn’t already exist may be less worthwhile.
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Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens.
A 1959 home in Los Angeles that was given a stylish face-lift just scored a buyer.
The sellers are the L.A. design team of Hollis Jordyn Design, and they picked up the midcentury modern gem in Nichols Canyon in May 2022 for $2,750,000. They updated the home and listed it in November 2022 for $3,850,000. The price was reduced to $2,999,999 by May 2023, and it was sold on June 21 for $2,825,911.
The three-bedroom, three-bath home spanning 2,500 square feet was originally designed by Edward Fickett. Fickett’s notable projects include Edwards Air Force Base and Dodger Stadium (both in Southern California) and the Sands Hotel (in Las Vegas).
Dubbed the Ophelia House, it’s named after one of the designer Jordyn Blum’s children, whom she shares with Dave Grohl, lead singer of Foo Fighters.
Blum’s design firm, Hollis Jordyn Design, which she owns with Hollis LaPlante, revamped the home while adding new air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing.
“It hasn’t been on the market for over 50 years,” says listing agent Tim Gavin, of Coldwell Banker Realty. The sellers “retouched everything. They preserved what they felt was special and necessary to keep.”
This includes a stone fireplace, terrazzo flooring in the foyer, a pass-through window, wood paneling, and a cinderblock wall in the primary suite. The kitchen cabinetry was updated with new hardware.
Modernizing the home meant adding marble countertops to the kitchen as well as new windows and sliders, and updating finishes in the three baths.
“We were seeking a celebrity buyer to some degree, with either a music or entertainment background, or a successful entrepreneur or someone with a creative background,” Gavin says.
Tucked into Nichols Canyon Colony, the locale, is “very private,” Gavin adds. “You’ve got wider streets and more of a neighborhood vibe.”
Adele did not go easy on Sylvester Stallone when she purchased his Beverly Park mansion for $58 million last year.
The “Rocky” and “Creed” star revealed Monday in the Wall Street Journal that the “Hello” singer agreed to buy the property on one unique condition: She insisted that his bronze statue of Rocky Balboa remain at the house.
Stallone admitted that he wanted to take the poolside sculpture of the fictional boxing champion punching the air with him, but Adele said, “That’s a no deal. That’s gonna blow the whole deal.”
“She wanted the statue,” the “Tulsa King” actor added.
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When the Oscar nominee sold the luxurious 21,000-square-foot home to the Grammy winner in February 2022, it marked the priciest Southern California transaction of the year up to that point. And Adele apparently bought it for a steal after Stallone originally listed the estate in January 2021 for $110 million.
At the time of the sale, the mansion — which sits on 3.5 acres of land with views of the city below — boasted eight bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a two-story foyer, a pool, a putting green, multiple patios and terraces, a movie theater, a custom bar, a gym and a cigar room with an air-filtration system. Adele has since made some renovations — and the previous owner approves.
“I like what she’s doing,” Stallone told the Wall Street Journal, “she’s making it gorgeous.”
During a 2021 interview with Vogue, the “30” artist shared that she is a big fan of the “Rocky” movies that Stallone wrote and starred in, which could explain her affinity for the statue. In May 2022, she posted a photo of herself and her rumored fiancé, Rich Paul, posing in front of their new digs.
The “Rolling in the Deep” hitmaker, 35, and the sports agent, 41, sparked engagement rumors in winter 2022 after dating less than a year. But Adele, who divorced philanthropist Simon Konecki in March 2021, has refused to confirm or deny that she and Paul are betrothed.
“If I was [engaged], would I ever tell anyone if I was or wasn’t?” she told Irish talk-show host Graham Norton in February 2022.
But that doesn’t mean she’s opposed to oversharing.
Over the weekend, the singer returned to the stage as part of her Las Vegas residency and disclosed an uncomfortable side effect of performing for hours every weekend under a burning spotlight.
“When I do my shows, I wear Spanx,” she told the crowd. “And I sweat a lot, but it doesn’t go anywhere, so I’m basically just sitting in my own sweat. So my doctor gave me jock itch [cream]. Do you guys know what that is?”
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She proceeded to joke that the physician’s diagnosis makes her “an athlete, basically,” before acknowledging (too late) that sharing her personal hygiene woes might qualify as TMI.
“I have to squirt it on myself,” she continued. “I don’t know why the f— I just told you guys that.”
Times staff writer Jack Flemming contributed to this report.