Hot Property: Singer Chris Brown can’t catch a break at his new home in Tarzana
Perhaps singer Chris Brown should consider getting out of real estate altogether and opt for hotel living.
He bought a gated contemporary in June for $4.35 million, public records reveal, and in July multiple media sites reported a break-in — despite the property’s 16 security cameras and alarm system.
This spring, a woman broke into another of his residences when Brown was out of town, and she hung out there for a few nights.
The Tarzana residence that Brown recently bought is set on three-quarters of an acre and entered through a two-story foyer. A grand staircase connects the two stories of living space. Walls of glass and balconies take in views of the mountains and cityscape.
The home theater features 14 recliners and a 120-inch wall screen. Living, family and dining rooms, a bonus room, six bedrooms and eight bathrooms are also within the more than 8,300 square feet of living space. There’s an oversized three-car garage and motor court parking for 10 cars.
An outdoor living room with a full kitchen, a saltwater swimming pool with a shallow shelf and spa, a waterfall, three fire pits and an expansive lawn complete the grounds.
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Brown, 26, released his sixth studio album, “X,” last year. He has been in such films as “Think Like a Man” (2012) and “Stomp the Yard” (2007).
Stephanie Vitacco of Keller Williams had been the listing agent but the deal closed outside of the Multiple Listing Service.
More action for film star
Actor Jason Statham continues to blaze a fast and furious trail through the Los Angeles housing scene, this time selling his Hollywood Hills compound to Johnny Galecki of “The Big Bang Theory” for $9.2 million.
The action film star had listed the place in mid-June for $8.999 million, having spent $7.32 million on it four years ago.
In a prequel to this latest real estate action, Statham bought a contemporary showplace from fashion designer Jenni Kayne and her husband, real estate agent Richard Ehrlich, in April for $12.995 million. Then in May he purchased a dapper Midcentury Modern man cave for $2.7 million in Hollywood Hills West.
The walled compound that Statham just sold to Galecki was once owned by actor Ben Stiller. The restored 1929 Mediterranean includes living and family rooms, a den, a library/study, an office, a gym, a breakfast area, six bedrooms and six bathrooms on two stories.
Outdoor spaces include a dining patio with a tile fountain. Steps lead down to an elegant swimming pool.
Statham, 48, has been in the “Fast & Furious,” “Expendables” and “Transporter” films. The actor stars this year in “Wild Card,” “Spy” and “Furious 7.” He’ll star next year in “Mechanic: Resurrection.” “Furious 8” is in the works.
Galecki, 40, has costarred on the popular CBS sitcom since it debuted in 2007. He currently earns $1 million an episode.
Ben Bacal of Rodeo Realty was the listing agent. Brett Lawyer of Hilton & Hyland, an affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, represented the buyer.
‘Idol’ singer makes deal of note
Singer Katharine McPhee, who stars in the television show “Scorpion,” has bought a house in Toluca Lake for $1.4 million. The sellers were husband-wife actors and serial home flippers Corbin Bernsen and Amanda Pays.
The Traditional single-story, built in 1945, features white walls, hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings and skylights in 2,039 square feet of freshened interiors.
The updated kitchen centers on a wall of white subway tile with a fireplace and opens to a dining room. The formal living room also has a fireplace.
There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Doors open to the water-wise gardens and brick patios. The grounds also have a swimming pool with a spa and mature trees.
McPhee, 31, gained fame as an “American Idol” runner-up in 2006. She’ll be releasing her fourth album, “Hysteria,” this year. She has starred on “Scorpion” since last year. The CBS drama has been renewed for this fall. In 2012 and 2013 she starred on the musical drama “Smash.”
Bernsen, 60, was in an episode of “Scorpion” last year. He was on “Psych” throughout its 2006-14 run, starred in the “Major League” films and played divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the 1986-94 series “L.A. Law.”
Interior designer Pays, 56, reprised her role as Dr. Tina McGee on “The Flash” this year and last. She starred in the original 1990s “Flash” series.
The pair paid $875,000 for the Toluca Lake property less than a year ago.
Kelly Sutherland of Coldwell Banker Previews International was the listing agent. Anita Rich of Keller Williams represented McPhee.
Talking head heads West
Colin Cowherd‘s next segment will play out in L.A.’s South Bay.
The former ESPN personality, who will reportedly join Fox Sports this year, has bought a home in the Tree Section of Manhattan Beach for $3.095 million.
Built last year, the East Coast-inspired home has wide-plank wood floors, a wine cellar and an open-area kitchen with a breakfast bar, all in 3,700 square feet of space.
Five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms include a master suite complete with sitting area, soaking tub and French doors that open to a private balcony.
Outdoors, there is a paver patio and a built-in barbecue.
Listed for sale in October for $3.275 million, the house was more recently priced at $3.095 million, records show.
Lauren Forbes of Coldwell Banker Residential represented both ends of the transaction.
Cowherd, the host of “The Herd With Colin Cowherd” on ESPN Radio since 2003, was dropped by the network last week for comments made on his radio show regarding baseball players from the Dominican Republic. His contract with ESPN reportedly expired this week.
In addition to the new-home purchase, Cowherd sold a five-bedroom, 6,100-square-foot home in West Hartford, Conn., for $1.15 million in July. The Colonial-style house was on the market for as much as $1.7 million earlier this year.
He also has a home on the market in Naples, Fla., for $4.25 million. Completed this year, that 3,562-square-foot contemporary home features a floating glass staircase, mosaic stone walls rooms, a wet bar, four bedrooms and four bathrooms. A swimming pool and spa and a covered veranda make up the grounds.
New stage for bandleader
Rickey Minor, who gained fame as the bandleader on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” has bought a contemporary house in Hollywood Hills for $2.975 million.
The newly built home by Ecumena Design Studio has 3,800 square feet of generously proportioned rooms with 10-foot ceilings, walls of glass and glass pocket doors. Details include wide-plank walnut floors, a chipped-glass fireplace and chrome-and-steel fixtures.
The sleek white-on-white kitchen features a center island breakfast bar that opens to a family/media room.
The stylish master suite has a balcony for a total of four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms.
The yard contains a fire feature and a swimming pool with a spa and fountain jets.
Minor, 55, is a composer, music director and producer. He was the “Tonight Show” bandleader from 2010 until last year. He has worked on “American Idol,” “America’s Got Talent” and “Don’t Forget the Lyrics.” The bass and keyboard player has toured with Beyoncé, Whitney Houston and Christina Aguilera, among others.
Rose Ware and Terry Canfield Schmidt of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties were the listing agents. Leah Lail of Coldwell Banker represented Minor.
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