As the latest season of the hit reality competition series “The Circle” hit our screens, we couldn’t help but notice that something looks a little bit different.
And no, we’re not talking about the new AI bot that has entered the chat (sorry, Max).
The reality show has a brand new building, a whole new series of colorful apartments, and a fresh filming location set on American soil — stepping away from the UK filming location where all international versions of the dating series have been filmed up until now.
Season 6 sees contenders take residence in a Midtown Atlanta apartment building, with each of their units meticulously designed by art director Karen Weber, a reality series vet who also worked on America’s Next Top Model.
And she took extra care in designing each apartment, as well as the communal spaces the contestants get to enjoy while filming the Netflix production.
So let’s take a closer look at the Atlanta building that now houses the popular series, the colorful The Circle apartments and the design principles that brought them to life, and how you too can book a stay here — though your apartment might look a tad different than those the contestants live in.
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The Circle building is now the Sonder Midtown South, in Atlanta
Unlike previous seasons and all other international versions of the series — which all filmed in Northern England, at the 206-unit Adelphi Wharf building in Salford, UK, right outside of Manchester — Season 6 takes place stateside in Atlanta, Georgia.
Offering a fresh setting for the drama to unfold, the Sonder Midtown South apartment building at 126 Renaissance Pkwy NE in Midtown Atlanta serves as the main filming location for the hit Netflix series.
Designing the colorful apartments
Art director Karen Weber led the charge in designing the vibrant new apartments, housed in the Sonder Midtown South building.
With communal spaces like a retro launderette and a rooftop courtyard, Weber aimed to create distinct yet cohesive living environments for the players, each measuring approximately 1,200 square feet.
And this was no easy feat, especially while trying to emulate the bold, colorful aesthetics the series is already known for.
Each apartment has its own theme and decor
From bold color palettes to whimsical themes inspired by Barbie and Wes Anderson, the transformed spaces offer a Pinterest-worthy aesthetic that’s sure to catch the eye of viewers.
The apartments, given names like Glamour Room and Artist Loft, were curated with furniture and decor sourced from vintage shops and salvage yards around Atlanta, lending them a bespoke feel.
For some spaces, art director Karen Weber aimed to create “really bright high energy,” while other rooms were meant to feel “more adult, laid-back, and [a] little more restful,” she shared on Netflix’s blog. After all, the players actually had to live in the spaces throughout filming, so comfort is key.
And while the budget was the same for each apartment in the new The Circle building, creating a variety of spaces and aesthetics is paramount to the show’s success.
“Giving producers that kind of a range [of types of spaces] lets them figure out who fits where,” Weber added.
Design inspiration for fans of the series
But in Weber’s eyes, the apartments aren’t just for the players who inhabit them.
She also wanted viewers watching along to imagine themselves in the living spaces and perhaps inspire them to transform their own — either by stenciling something on a wall or spray-painting fish scales on a bathroom cabinet.
“I try to do a couple of DIY projects in each space that could be done by someone at home,” she says.
Re-designing 10 more apartments for the next contestants
As if Weber didn’t have her work cut out for her, as soon as she was done setting up the apartments for Season 6, she had to do it all again in preparation for the already-announced Season 7. For the upcoming season, another 10 new apartments had to be designed from the ground up.
“It’s the sandcastle theory, because you build this beautiful thing and then you let it all just get washed away and it’s done,” she says. “The rooms have their moment and then you have to move on.”
You can stay at the Atlanta building where The Circle filmed
While fans won’t be able to book a stay in the exact apartments seen on-screen, they too can book a stay in the building featured on the show whenever visiting Atlanta.
The Sonder Midtown South offers sleek and modern accommodations with amenities like a fitness center, outdoor grill, and in-unit laundry. And its colorful, imaginative makeover for The Circle only adds to the building’s appeal.
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With its rich historical background and sharp, nearly 90-degree turn — an unusual bend that aligns with similar curves in other nearby streets that follow an old property line established in 1633 — West Village’s Commerce Street is a unique piece of New York City history.
And the many historically significant buildings that surround it are proof of that.
The nearby Isaacs-Hendricks House at 77 Bedford Street is one of the few remaining 18th-century buildings in Manhattan, dating back to 1799. Neighboring it at 75-1/2 Bedford Street is a narrow 9-1/2 feet wide house built in 1873, once home to poet Edna St. Vincent Millay.
On Commerce Street proper, we find the Cherry Lane Theatre, the oldest continuously running off-Broadway theater in New York City.
And the buildings at numbers 41 and 39, built in 1831, are known for their mansard roofs added in 1873, but also for the folk tales that surround them. The twin houses are said to have been built by a sea captain who had two feuding daughters, so he built them identical, separate homes with a shared garden.
At 48 Commerce Street, we find another West Village gem — one that’s currently on the market and looking for an architecturally inclined or history-loving owner.
Originally built in 1844, the 5-story townhouse was built on land once owned by Queen Anne, the younger daughter of James II, who reigned over Great Britain and Ireland at the dawn of the 18th century.
According to our sources, Queen Anne later sold it to Trinity Church, after which architect Alexander T. Stewart — an Irish immigrant who created one of the first department stores in America, The Marble Dry-Good Palace — bought it and built the 5-story structure at 48 Commerce Street.
The West Village townhouse, now listed for $10,000,000, sits on an expansive lot with almost 5,000 square feet of living space and a width of 20 feet — and can accommodate at least 6 bedrooms, each with its own office and walk-in closet.
With 8 full baths, future residents and guests will get to enjoy comfort and privacy in one of the city’s most desirable locations. Features include 9 wood-burning fireplaces, a rear patio, a front garden, and rooftop space that allows for a deck with skyline views.
Norman L. Steele, the current owner of the property — who’s also a former real estate mogul that once worked for IBM — restored the building in 1994.
He’s now ready to part ways with his West Village townhouse, offering one lucky buyer the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind dream home in a beloved Manhattan location or to split it into several units and maximize their investment.
48 Commerce Street is listed for $10 million with Michael Biryla of The Agency New York.
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The rapper, who’s been spending most of his time in Europe as of late, with paparazzi following him and wife Bianca Censori relentlessly while on tour, has just listed his uber-expensive Malibu pad for sale.
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winner Tadao Ando, the Malibu Road house is one of the lauded Japanese architect’s few projects on American soil — another one being Beyonce and Jay-Z’s $200 million house, also located in Malibu.
When Kanye purchased it, the property was being touted as part beachfront residence, part modernist sculpture, making it a great choice for the artist whose minimalist-yet-daring style choices often grace the front covers of magazines.
But not much is left, as the structure has been altered considerably during Kanye’s ownership.
The Vultures rapper bought the roughly 4,000-square-foot beachfront house just two years ago, in 2021, for a whopping $57.3 million — though it’s worth noting that the property was once listed for $75 million.
Retired Wall Street financier Richard Sachs, best known as the ex-boyfriend of former Full House star Ashley Olson, sold it to the recording artist and Yeezy founder.
Now, Kanye West listed the 4-bedroom, 5-bath Malibu abode for $53,000,000, with Selling Sunset star and Oppenheim Group founder Jason Oppenheim landing the listing.
“I wanted to have a listing with such architectural pedigree,” Oppenheim told PEOPLE, adding that the property’s Malibu Road location is “one of the most desirable areas in the world.”
We don’t know whether that means that the rapper’s house will be featured in the upcoming Season 8 of Selling Sunset, but if you’d like to take a look inside Kanye West’s house in Malibu, Jason already put the pictures up on his Instagram (though it looks like he used the listing photos from the home’s last run on the market):
Ye’s crumbled plans for the property
The Malibu house was no impulse buy.
Kanye West had big plans for his beachfront spread.
First, he said he would work with businessman James Goldstein to make it more like his famous Sheats-Goldstein Residence — another concrete-heavy, modernist abode that bears the signature of lauded architect John Lautner.
Then, according to TMZ, he set out to turn the architectural property into a “bomb shelter from the 1910s,” removing all windows and electricity from the home. Here’s how it looks like now:
The Gutted Crib https://t.co/2yopolYFXY
— Zack (@QueensIceZ) December 20, 2023
In fact, the rapper is even being sued by the former property caretaker and project manager he hired for the remodel.
Tony Saxon, who was reportedly hired in September 2021 as project manager, caretaker, and 24/7 security for the mogul’s Malibu home, is suing West, claiming he’s owed $1 million for the work he did on the property, which included several labor code violations.
“Tony worked as the construction project manager and 24/7 security guard when Kanye was having the home gutted, and Kanye put him through hell, violating numerous labor codes and employment laws in the process,” Saxon’s lawyer, president of West Coast Employment Lawyers Neama Rahmani, said in a statement released after news broke about Kanye selling his house.
“This house was ‘a Picasso on the water’ before Kanye ordered Tony to rip it apart. So, while we’re pleased Kanye may finally have the money to fulfill his obligations to Mr. Saxon, buyer beware.”
Now, what’s left of the Tadao Ando-designed home is a concrete shell exposed to the elements, per Robb Report.
How can Kanye’s house command such a high price in its current state?
If you’re wondering why anyone would consider paying over $50 million for a gutted house, or whether Kanye was completely off-base when setting the price, let us provide some context on how the property was priced.
#1 Location, location, location
We know all too well that location is the name of the game in real estate.
With enough funds, there’s almost nothing you can’t change about a house, except for location and lot size (and even the latter is debatable, as you can always purchase additional lots by convincing neighbors to sell).
But the location is the one fixed component that can command sky-high prices regardless of the state the structure is in.
And Kanye’s house is located on Malibu Road which is, like Jason Oppenheim said, “one of the most desirable areas in the world.”
The entire area is lined with million-dollar houses, often priced well above the $10 million mark. And Malibu in itself is prohibitively expensive, with the median listing price for homes in the area standing at a hefty $6.5 million.
#2 Architectural pedigree
Many million-dollar homes often come with name-bragging rights — and Kanye’s house excels here.
But there’s a whole other level of name-dropping that comes with owning a home envisioned by one of our generation’s leading architects.
Tadao Ando is an award-winning contemporary architect best known for his minimalist concrete structures, which have attracted some of the world’s biggest stars, from Beyonce and Jay-Z — who paid $200 million to buy one of Ando’s Malibu projects, setting a new record for the most expensive home ever bought in Califonia — to West’s ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, who’s currently working with the architect to build a home on an undeveloped plot of land in La Quinta, California.
And Malibu’s architecturally distinct properties often command sky-high listing prices.
For proof, look no further than this $59M Ed Niles-designed house that combines glass, steel and Feng Shui principles or architect Harry Gesner’s former personal home, the $22.5M Sandcastle House in Malibu.
#3 Building costs
Beyond the design element, building the property on the beachfront lot was no easy feat.
Construction required 1,200 tons of concrete, 200 tons of steel reinforcement, and 12 pylons to keep it from sinking into the sand, a feat that undoubtedly required millions of dollars.
#4 Beach access & ocean views
The property has direct access to the beach and offers stunning views of the ocean.
It has three levels with the ensuite guest rooms on the lowest floor, the living room and kitchen on the middle floor, and the master bedroom and rooftop terrace on the topmost floor — all opening up to unobstructed ocean views, a luxury that commands a premium in any market.
Now, it remains to be seen whether Kanye’s listing price is realistic or not, and if his star power coupled with the highly desirable location and the house’s architectural pedigree will attract a buyer willing to pay top dollar for the Malibu pad.
Those of us who are hooked on Selling Sunset already know that Jason Oppenheim isn’t a fan of properties priced over the $50 million mark, so it’s unlikely that he would have taken on the listing if he thought the price was unrealistic.
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Featured image credit: Google Maps, inset Cosmopolitan UK, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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In the coveted Los Angeles neighborhood of Los Feliz, every residence tells a story, and every street corner holds a piece of Hollywood history.
This hillside enclave, gracefully abutting Hollywood and weaving through parts of the Santa Monica Mountains, offers a unique blend of metropolitan allure and serene, natural landscapes — and owning a home here is a symbol of status and exclusivity.
The neighborhood is anchored by one of the largest city-owned parks in the country, the historic Griffith Park, a cornerstone that lends the neighborhood an air of tranquility, uncommon in large urban settings.
“Due to the proximity to historic Griffith Park, Los Feliz enjoys less density and more natural ambiance than most other large metropolitan areas,” shares Konstantine Valissarakos, one of the most preeminent real estate agents in Southern California, deeply acquainted with the area’s charm.
The neighborhood is also home to the two Los Feliz Villages, brimming with quaint, world-class restaurants and amenities. These local treasures craft a sense of belonging, making residents feel part of a “loving neighborhood” – a sentiment hard to find in the bustling city of Los Angeles.
“The two Los Feliz Villages offer quaint, world-class restaurants and amenities, making Los Feliz residents feel like they are in a loving neighborhood,” Valissarakos added, noting that “Los Feliz compares in popularity to other worldwide destination cities where the inhabitants can live anywhere globally that they want and feel special.”
Known for being a top home-buying destination for A-listers and architecture aficionados alike, the area has witnessed a significant surge in home prices, reflecting its growing demand.
“Los Feliz is home to many celebrities. Home prices have gone up in Los Feliz in recent years to match the demand,” the agent adds, highlighting the neighborhood’s appeal. “Finding a characterful or historic home in Los Feliz, akin to an art piece residence, has become a coveted dream for many.”
So then, what homes can you find in the sought-after area?
We’ve reached out to some of the top real estate brokerages with active listings in the area, to give you a feel of the type of homes you can buy in Los Feliz — but be warned, they come with steep price tags.
These figures, though eyebrow-raising, are not at all uncommon for Los Feliz, a Los Angeles neighborhood that has luxury and exclusivity woven into its very fabric.
Standout Los Feliz houses for sale, from a sprawling $38 million historic estate to a film director’s fully restored Tuscan chateau
Owning a piece of Los Feliz is not just about buying property; it’s about embracing a lifestyle desired by many but lived by a few.
And the following listings, all of them Los Feliz houses with a storied past and highly desirable attributes, stand as a testament to the caliber of properties that you can find in the sought-after area. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
#1 The Cockerham Estate, a $38 million Old World Tuscan chateau
The crown jewel of the neighborhood, the Cockerman Estate is a beautifully reimagined 1914 historic property that’s currently both the largest and highest-priced house for sale in Los Feliz.
Custom-built for Los Feliz’ prolific developer William Mead in 1914, the multi-structure private compound spans two acres and is anchored by a 20,000-square-foot mansion, offering 9 bedrooms, 9.5 baths, and an endless list of upscale amenities.
Meticulously renovated throughout by its current owners, entrepreneur Myra Chan and her husband — with design and oversight by prized architect William Heffner AIA of Studio William Heffner — the Cokerham Estate welcomes visitors with a grand 2-story entry with sweeping staircase and honed marble floors that sets the stage for the luxury we find inside.
Notable features include an elegant library and living room with imported stone fireplace, a bar/lounge (also with an eye-catching fireplace and custom wood details), an expansive kitchen with a breakfast room, fireplace, center island, and a separate prep kitchen along with a covered heated terrace and full outdoor kitchen.
We’d also like to give a nod to the massive primary with a sitting room suite, marble fireplace, terrace with views, his and hers baths, and large walk-in closets.
Listed for $38,000,000 with Brett Lawyer of Carolwood Estates, the massive Los Feliz house also comes with a lower-level entertainment space (which includes a bar and lounge), a home gym with head-on city views, a steam room, infrared sauna and salon/glam room area, and an oversized garage with elevator directly servicing all floors.
#2 A Spanish Colonial Revival estate that dates back to 1929, listed for $15.9M
A timeless gem, this Harry Hayden Whiteley, AIA-designed estate blends the grandeur of Mediterranean estates with the allure of old Hollywood glamour.
With 5 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms in the principal residence and 1 bedroom and 2 bathrooms in the detached guest house, the estate sits proudly on a nearly one acre-sized lot, offering sweeping views that stretch across the LA basin and beyond.
The home greets visitors with a grand two-story rotunda entry, adorned with hand-painted art and a sweeping staircase. The grand living room, featuring hardwood floors, an ornate fireplace, and a balcony, overlooks a pool and the cityscape.
A library with a unique coffered ceiling and a Prohibition-style bar, and a majestic dining room with a wood ceiling and French doors to a veranda enhance its appeal.
The chef’s kitchen is equipped with top-grade appliances and a large island. Upstairs, five luxurious bedroom suites preserve the 1920s charm, with the primary suite offering a spa-like bathroom and walk-in dressing closets.
Additional features of the $15.9 million Los Feliz house — listed with top producer Rita Whitney of The Agency — include a gym, a 2,200+ bottle wine vault, a media room with a wet bar, and a sauna. Lush grounds, a four-car garage, and a motor court complete this exquisite Southern California estate.
#3 An Architectural Digest-featured $9.9M house that’s a piece of Hollywood history
Set on one of Los Feliz’ most coveted streets, Bonvue Avenue, this 5,447-square-foot home is like a trip back in time to Hollywood’s golden era.
And its beauty was just as appreciated back then as it is now — the Spanish Colonial was even featured in Architectural Digest soon after it was built, in 1925.
Sited hillside, the multi-tiered property at 4808 Bonvue Ave takes full advantage of panoramic city views while providing complete privacy at street level. The property is listed at $9,995,000 with Marci Kays and Jonathan Mogharrabi with Carolwood Estates.
Offering 5 bedrooms and 6 baths, the meticulously renovated and well-maintained Los Feliz house features a double-height grand living room with coffered, hand-painted ceilings, towering French doors, a step-down den and wet bar, all accessed from the scene-stealing foyer staircase.
The imported English wood-paneled formal dining room includes a second-level verandah, an ornamental plaster ceiling, and stained glass vignettes — a bespoke detail that runs throughout the home and compliments the many hand-painted oak doors.
A chef’s kitchen, 600-bottle wine cellar, elevator, family room, library, staff rooms, and home offices all round up the home’s interior amenities.
But the amenities continue outside, where the extensive grounds feature multi-level terraces, gravel pathways, hidden gathering spaces and repurposed speak-easy, outdoor dining, and an abundance of fruit trees.
A formal lawn with a period fountain leads to a private pool that’s only visible from the home, adding an extra note of charm and seclusion.
#4 Villa Collina, a $7.245M trophy estate once owned by film director James Whale
Remember when we said that most Los Feliz houses tell a story, and every street corner holds a piece of Hollywood’s history?
This following property is no exception, as it was once home to lauded film director James Whale, best known for directing classic horror films including Frankenstein (1931), The Old Dark House (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), and The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), among others.
Before it was purchased by James Whale, Villa Collina was originally built for Clement E. Smoot, an American golfer who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics — where the American team won the gold medal.
The architect, Henry Harwood Hewitt, is known for designing several staple properties across Los Angeles, including poet Alice Lynch’s former home and the Westlake Masonic Temple in Los Angeles in 1914.
Touted as a “One-of-a-kind authentic dramatic Old World Tuscan chateau in epic setting on a huge flat hilltop lot in prime Los Feliz” per the listing, the 4-bed, 4-bath villa was completely restored before hitting the market for $7,245,000.
Nourmand & Associates agent Konstantine Valissarakos and Richard Yohon at Sotheby’s hold the listing.
Among its many features, 4565 Dundee Drive lists an entertainer’s kitchen with chef’s appliances, built-in breakfast nook and French doors, a primary suite with a fully updated deluxe bath with double sinks, a private office and den, and a redesigned hotel-style full guest apartment which doubles as an oversize spa.
Outside, a well-groomed garden, landscaping, and fountains bring peace and tranquility to the property, while a backyard oasis — with a tiled Roman pool and gazebo with built-in seating — lets guests and residents take in the stellar views.
#5 A Weber and Spaulding-designed architectural gem listed for $5.995M
Before Sumner Spaulding and Walter Weber — the architects behind silent film star Harold Lloyd’s 44-room Greenacres mansion — designed Santa Catalina Island’s storied Catalina Casino, they created this residential gem in Los Feliz.
Located in prime Los Feliz at 3659 Shannon Road, the home was designed to make the most of the panoramic views of the hills and LA city lights with original oversized French doors opening up from the first floor onto the sunny backyard, outdoor dining area, and pool deck.
Boasting 7 bedrooms and 7 baths across 6,408 square feet of living space, the 1928-built home retains many original features, including the classic moldings, hardwood floors, built-ins, the dumbwaiter, and double staircases.
Other unique features of the elegant Los Feliz house include three fireplaces, a first-floor library, a formal dining room, living room, and family room, a first-floor bedroom suite, and a dramatic arched hallway connecting the 6 bedrooms upstairs and the office.
There’s also a massive family room with a fireplace on the lower floor, which opens to a separate section of the yard.
This beautiful property is also listed with Konstantine Valissarakos of Nourmand & Associates and Rick Yohon of Sotheby’s.
Which one of the striking Los Feliz houses above do you like most?
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LA-based DJ, avid snowboarder, and TV personality Tyler Marenyi — better known by his stage name, DJ NGHTMRE — is branching out.
Turns out that the Raleigh, North Carolina native, who released his album, Drmvrse last year and is currently busy touring the country as part of his The Great Sonic Wars Tour, also dabbles in real estate.
He just listed a newly built home in Culver City, California, one that comes with a main residence and not one, but two ADUs (accessory dwelling units) — which can be rented out and generate income for the future owners — as well as a lovely zen garden.
Since the property has just been completed and is listed as a new construction, it’s safe to assume it was never meant to serve as DJ NGHTMRE’s house.
Rather, it seems like Tyler Marenyi is diversifying his income streams, and investing the money he makes from headlining music festivals around the world into real estate — and making a profit in the process.
Listed for just over $3 million with Gina Michelle, Margaret Sievers, and George Ouzounian of The Agency, the property has a total of 7 bedrooms and 6 baths (totaling 3,417 sq. ft.) spread across the three structures on the lot.
The main house, a bright, light-filled single-story structure stands out with its clean lines and modern design.
With three bedrooms and two baths, it features high vaulted ceilings and custom light fixtures, creating a spacious and inviting ambiance.
The master bedroom, a serene retreat, boasts a large walk-in closet and elegant French doors that lead to a private outdoor sanctuary.
Complementing the main residence is a two-story Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), complete with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. This additional unit is not just a space for guests; it’s an epitome of sustainable living, equipped with solar panels.
Set at the back of the property, the two-story ADU is a full-fledged residence in itself, one that can house family members or that can be rented out for additional income.
Moreover, a Junior ADU adds further versatility to this unique property. You can see all the structures in the image below.
The outdoor area of this property is where the zen-like design truly comes to life.
A meticulously crafted zen garden, complete with lush greenery and a mature avocado tree, offers a slice of paradise in the heart of the city. The advanced dual-control irrigation system ensures that this garden oasis remains vibrant with minimal effort, marrying beauty with practicality.
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*Featured image credit: property photo courtesy of The Agency, NGHTMRE insert courtesy of FROZYO!, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Set along the sun-kissed shores of Panama City Beach, Florida, a former celebrity residence resurfaced on the market after an extensive makeover — unveiling picture-perfect interiors, a beachfront location that dreams are made of, and a substantial appreciation in value.
Formerly owned by All-American & NFL linebacker-turned-Emmy-winning producer/actor Matt Battaglia, the property at 517 Beachside Gardens has undergone an extensive renovation, transforming it into a coastal masterpiece that blurs the line between luxury and paradise.
As the property graces the market once again, its allure is not just in its pristine design but in its substantial transformation of value.
Listed at a (somewhat) modest $6.95 million in 2019, this beachfront gem has now doubled in price, a testament to the irresistible combination of impeccable style and an enviable Gulf-front setting.
And we’re here to take you on a tour of the $12,900,000 house, now listed for sale with Lesly Simon of Corcoran Reverie.
Key facts & figures
Situated on over an acre, the property boasts an impressive 197 feet of Gulf frontage, showcasing panoramic views of the famed turquoise-hued waters of the Emerald Coast and sugar-white sand.
Bedrooms: 7
Baths: 10
Square footage: 6,096 sq. ft.
Year built: 2019
Lot size: 1.49 acres
Amenities: private pool and sunning deck, oversized covered porch, sitting area with gas fire pit, and private beach walkover
Additional structures: a self-sufficient coach house with two additional bedroom suites, a fully equipped kitchen, and covered patio space
Listing price: $12,900,000
Nestled within the exclusive Carillon Beach community, the residence spans over 6,000 square feet across three meticulously planned levels.
Thoughtful design and amenities
With a focus on seamless indoor-outdoor living, the Florida house was beautifully redone by Jennifer DiCerbo of The French Mix out of Lafayette, LA.
The first level features a spacious living area, wet bar, and direct access to the outdoor oasis, including a private pool, sunning deck, and a covered porch with a gas fire pit.
Three luxurious bedroom suites, a laundry area, and a powder room provide convenience and comfort on this level.
On the second level, the main living area, dining room, and gourmet kitchen open onto expansive wrap-around porches, totaling over 2,000 square feet of outdoor living space.
The kitchen is designed for entertaining, equipped with custom cabinetry, an oversized island, walk-in pantry, wet bar, and professional-grade appliances. Additionally, an office area and powder room are located on this floor.
The upper level and guest retreat
The topmost level features two main bedroom suites, each with a carefully curated design, direct porch access, walk-in wardrobes, and luxurious ensuites. A sitting area with a wet bar and a dedicated laundry center add to the convenience.
Connected by a covered breezeway, the self-sufficient coach house provides two additional bedroom suites, a fully equipped kitchen, and covered patio space, offering a private retreat for guests.
Part of the upscale Carillon Beach Community
The property is part of the sought-after Carillon Beach community, offering residents a host of amenities, including a monitored gate with 24-hour security, three community pools, a children’s park, basketball and tennis courts, pickleball courts, walking trails, a meeting house, and the charming Market Street town center.
With over 3,900 feet of beach frontage, Carillon Beach remains one of the most desirable luxury communities in Northwest Florida.
With its prime location near world-class dining and entertainment venues along 30A and Panama City Beach, the property not only represents a sound real estate investment but also an opportunity to embrace the coveted coastal lifestyle in one of the most sought-after communities in Northwest Florida.
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Beloved YouTube couple Cody Kolodziejzyk (known simply as Cody Ko) and Kelsey Kreppel have had quite the year.
The two content creators kicked off 2023 by tying the knot and soon after announced that they are currently expecting their first baby.
And while the two became famous for podcasting about their lives, they are very mindful of not sharing the most intimate moments of their lives with their hordes of followers.
And there are A LOT of followers keeping tabs on Cody and Kelsey’s updates.
Cody has well over 6 million followers on YouTube alone, with another 2.1 million people following his updates on Instagram. Kelsey Kreppel has over 1 million followers on YouTube, with just as many followers on her Instagram profile.
Ms. Kreppel once told the New York Times that “even though I film our day-to-day life and people know a lot of what’s going on with us, Cody and I are really mindful about what we share and what we keep just for us.”
But one aspect of the YouTube power couple’s life is holding headlines these days: their lovely Malibu house recently hit the market (again), and scores of fans around the world are now rejoicing at the opportunity to peek inside Kelsey Kreppel and Cody Ko’s house.
And we have all the dirt on the couple’s beachfront home in Malibu.
Inside Kelsey Kreppel and Cody Ko’s house in Malibu, now listed for $3.7M
The irony isn’t lost on us. About two years ago, Cody posted a video (one that got him well over two million views) hating on celebrity houses.
And since he’s now a top earner on YouTube, successful podcaster, and a magnet for advertisers looking to tap into his large following, he now too qualifies as a celebrity whose house we want to gawk at.
Especially since the content creators’ Malibu house is rightfully touted as “a secluded oasis on the water” (in the listing held by The Agency’s Eric Haskell and Billy Rose).
With amazing ocean views, the 1,786-square-foot beachfront house comes with access to two pristine sandy beaches — on both sides — and some standout amenities like a half-court for basketball, a pickleball court, and space for four vehicles.
Key facts & figures
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 4
Square footage: 1,786 sq. ft.
Year built: 1970
Lot size: 1,989 sq. ft.
Amenities: a half-court for basketball, a pickleball court, and space for four vehicles
Additional structures: a separate 1-bed, 1-bath guest house
Last sold: $4,495,000
Property photos
This isn’t the first time the content creators tried to offload the property
Property records and previous press coverage shows that Kreppel and Kolodziejzyk first listed the property back in March 2023 for $3,950,000.
The 1,786-square-foot beachfront home then had its price readjusted a couple of months later before being taken off the market.
It has now resurfaced as a $3,695,000 listing, with The Agency’s Eric Haskell and Billy Rose in charge of finding a buyer.
And if you think that’s a hefty price, know that one of the neighboring properties is on the market for a whopping $59 million (and that’s the discounted price, as the Ed Niles-designed masterpiece was previously listed for $68.8 million).
Where do Kelsey and Cody Ko live now?
Back in May 2023, the YouTube power couple upgraded to a 1950-built home nestled in the foothills above Zuma Beach in Malibu that was once owned by actress Reese Witherspoon.
Kelsey and Cody Ko paid $7.7 million for their new Malibu abode, a two-acre spread dotted with mature sycamore trees that has a heavily updated 4-bedroom house, a repurposed barn (with billiards area, a kitchen, bedroom, and a living/media room), another building housing a gym and media room, and an Airstream trailer that sleeps four.
So it’s safe to say that the content creators very much enjoy living in Malibu but they simply outgrew their Pacific Coast Highway property.
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On the shores of the Choctawhatchee Bay in Shalimar, in the gated community of Shalimar Pointe, lies an elegant 7,118-square-foot home that recently landed on the market — with a bang.
Listed for $5,222,000 with Needa Brennan of Coldwell Banker Realty Destin, the property is the second highest-priced active listing in the Fort Walton Beach region, surpassed only by a $6.5 million Yacht Club Dr. property.
That’s quite high for an area that commands median sale prices of around $400,000, so we just had to take a closer look to see what $5+ million buys you in this stretch of the Florida Panhandle. And we weren’t left disappointed.
Key facts & figures:
Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 4.5
Square footage: 7,118 sq. ft.
Year built: 1999
Lot size: 1.24 acres
Amenities: a summer kitchen and living area that overlooks a stunning gunite pool and relaxing hot tub; a 600-foot dock with LED lighting, and 3 watercraft lifts (2 standard and 1 with a 10,000 lb capacity)
Additional structures: a 3-car garage with a motorized pull-down storage lift, utility room for gardening tools and supplies, and a separate golf cart garage
Last sold: $4,495,000
Imposing and elegant inside and out, it’s easy to see why the property is the 2nd highest-priced listing in the Fort Walton Beach area
The Shalimar Pointe house offers sweeping panoramic vistas of the Choctawhatchee Bay
And boasts gracefully curved walls, complemented by travertine marble floors and opulent finishes, including Swarovski crystal doorknobs
The home features three gas fireplaces and 4-foot-wide hallways
The kitchen is equipped with top-of-the-line features, including a 6-burner stove with a grill and double ovens
The primary suite is equally luxurious, featuring a cozy sitting area and a fireplace
The primary bathroom has a garden tub, a dressing area, a separate shower with double vanities, and an oversized walk-in closet
There are two other en-suites on the main level of the house
And a massive suite on the upper level (equipped with a kitchenette complete with a sink, a small refrigerator, and microwave) that is its own private retreat
Outside is a bay front oasis, complete with a summer kitchen and living area that overlooks a stunning gunite pool and relaxing hot tub
For boating enthusiasts, the Shalimar house offers a 600-foot dock with stainless steel LED lighting and 3 watercraft lifts (2 standard and 1 with a 10,000 lb capacity)
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Welcome to Throwback Thursday, a web series where we revisit the most memorable properties we’ve covered in the past — and see what happened to them. Ranging from architecturally distinct properties to luxury listings with some quite unique features, to unforgettable houses that left us daydreaming about potentially moving in one day, Throwback Thursday revives our past favorites and provides an update on whether or not they’re still on the market, how much they sold for, and, if the information is publicly available, who bought them. This article has been updated to reflect the current status of the property, but all the information about the house itself as well as the property photos date back to our initial coverage (published on October 1, 2020).
Many million-dollar homes often come with name-bragging rights.
Sometimes, it’s because a celebrity once lived in the house, or because a famous designer left its expert touches on the home’s interiors; or maybe the address itself is well-known, for one reason or another.
But there’s a whole other level of name-dropping that comes with owning a home envisioned by one of our generation’s leading architects.
And that’s exactly the case for this modern glass home in Sagaponack, NY, designed by world-renowned architect Shigeru Ban.
In fact, the property is the award-winning Japanese architect’s first and only work in Long Island. And since it spent some time on the market in recent years, we got to take an exclusive look inside.
Famous for blending traditional Japanese elements with modern Western architecture, Shigeru Ban was named to TIME magazine’s shortlist of 21st-century innovators, won the 2014 Pritzker prize (the biggest distinction in the architecture world), and left his imprint on structures like the Aspen Art Museum, Centre-Pompidou-Metz in France, and Tainan Art Museum in Taiwan.
Despite his many accolades, the Japanese architect is most known for being a champion of sustainable architecture and has been instrumental in designing disaster relief housing from Rwanda to Turkey.
His design philosophy is centered around creating uniquely free and open spaces with concrete rationality of structure and construction method, and the Hamptons house is a perfect embodiment of this.
With a design based on Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s unbuilt Brick Country House (which dates back to 1924), the 8,000-square-foot home boasts unique architectural features, including a row of pillars that line the path to the front door — that can double as hidden storage.
The 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath home features exceptional furnishings by renowned designer Shamir Shah.
It has floor-to-ceiling windows, an oversized living room (with a wood-burning fireplace and wraparound views of the landscaped lawn), and a massive workout room that is more akin to a private high-end gym — complete with oversized mirrors and every piece of equipment you could think of, including a spin bike, elliptical, treadmill, press machines, and more.
See also: This Floating Farmhouse in the Catskills dates back to the 1820s, but you could never tell
The indoors seamlessly open to the outdoor areas, where there’s a heated in-ground pool and a pool-side terrace with multiple lounging areas — adding to the tranquil zen garden area (with a modern stone fountain) which greets visitors as they enter the property.
What happened to this Shigeru Ban-designed home?
When we covered this property back in October 2020, it had just been listed for sale asking $4,995,000.
Listed with Matt Breitenbach of Compass, the architectural property was already marked as ContractSigned on the brokerage’s website mere days after it came to market, which means it’s likely that an architect buff has quickly seized on the opportunity to own a home designed by the Pritzker-prize winner.
As is to be expected for a property of this caliber, the Shigeru Ban-designed home sold for way over its original asking price.
Public records show that the sale closed in March 2021 for $5,250,000. That’s 5% over ask.
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It was bound to happen. Just as home builders began to feel more confident about attracting potential buyers, rising mortgage rates are proving too much for those customers.
After steadily rising for seven consecutive months, builder confidence retreated in August as rising mortgage rates nearing 7% (per Freddie Mac) and stubbornly high shelter inflation have further eroded housing affordability and put a damper on consumer demand.
Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes in August fell six points to 50, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released August 15.
Home Builders Need Workers, Buildable Lots and Distribution Transformers
“Rising mortgage rates and high construction costs stemming from a dearth of construction workers, a lack of buildable lots and ongoing shortages of distribution transformers put a chill on builder sentiment in August,” said NAHB Chairman Alicia Huey, a custom home builder and developer from Birmingham, Ala.
Huey said that other factors are helping support the demand for new construction.
“But while this latest confidence reading is a reminder that housing affordability is an ongoing challenge, demand for new construction continues to be supported by a lack of resale inventory, as many homeowners elect to stay put because they are locked in at a low mortgage rate.”
Housing Affordability Compared to US Median Income
Rising home prices and interest rates coupled with elevated construction costs, low existing inventory and solid demand resulted in a significant decline in housing affordability during the second quarter of 2023.
According to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI), 40.5% of new and existing homes sold between the beginning of April and end of June were affordable to families earning the U.S. median income of $96,300. This is down from 45.6% posted in the first quarter of this year, and the second-lowest reading since NAHB began tracking affordability on a consistent basis in 2012.
Where to Buy? Affordable Housing Markets Around the Country
The Housing Opportunity Index shows that the national median home price increased to $388,000 in the second quarter, up from $365,000 in the previous quarter. Meanwhile, average mortgage rates rose from 6.46% to 6.59% during this period.
The top five most affordable major housing markets in the second quarter of 2023 were:
Lansing-East Lansing, Mich.
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pa.
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Ind.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Top five least affordable major housing markets—all located in California:
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale
Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura
San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City
Meanwhile, Cumberland, Md.-W.Va., was rated the nation’s most affordable small market, with 95.5% of homes sold in the second quarter being affordable to families earning the median income of $89,900.
The top five least affordable small housing markets were also in the Golden State. Tied at the very bottom of the affordability chart were Salinas, Calif., and San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calif., where 6.5% of all new and existing homes sold in the second quarter were affordable to families earning the area median income of $100,400 in Salinas and $113,100 in San Luis-Obispo-Paso Robles.
NAHB Chief Economist Robert Deitz Calls for Government Action
Deitz said that government policies aimed at helping builders could help the housing shortfall. He said the shortfall is currently about 1.5 million housing units.
“Declining customer traffic is a reminder of the larger challenge that shelter inflation is up 7.7% from a year ago and accounted for a striking 90% of the July Consumer Price Index reading of 3.2%,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “The best way to bring housing inflation down and ease the housing affordability crisis is to enact policies at all levels of government that will allow builders to construct more homes to address a nationwide shortfall of approximately 1.5 million housing units.”
Builders Again Pressed Into Using Sales Incentives
The August HMI survey also revealed that rising mortgage rates are causing more builders to use sales incentives to attract home buyers.
After dropping steadily for four months (from 31% in March to 22% in July), the share of builders cutting prices to bolster sales rose again to 25% in August.
The average decline for builders reducing prices remained at 6%. And the share of builders using incentives to bolster sales was 55% in August, higher than in July (52%) but still lower than in December 2022 (62%).