Luxury homes, by themselves, have a quality factor to them. Add to that the ‘celebrity’ tag and you have a fancy home with an added star appeal. Celebrity-owned homes are the ‘it’ properties in the real estate world. While these, without a doubt, come with a hefty price tag, they also have significant character and usually come well-furnished with everything one could possibly need; and so much more.
Leaving behind the average appeal of a regular home, celebrities have a knack for sprucing up their homes with the best of modern luxuries, adding in state-of-the-art rooms like theatres, gyms and yoga rooms, bars, spa facilities and more. Most of the time, when listing their homes, celebrities leave in all of these luxury amenities, so buying a celebrity home is a complete packaged deal, and if you’re thinking about investing in a pre-owned celebrity home, here are some of the trendiest properties on the market right now.
Boy George
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One of the oldest properties on this list is this spectacular Grade II-listed property (a type of historic designation in the UK) previously owned by English singer Boy George. The 5,453 sq. ft. Gothic mansion dates back to the 1800s. The original building, titled “The Logs,” was built in 1868 by Charles Till based on designs by JS Nightingale; it was built as a home for wealthy civil engineer and developer Edward Gotto. The original building had been split into multiple properties, some of which were owned by well-known personalities including British actor and comedian Marty Feldman and English singer Sam Smith. Boy George, who bought the house in 1988 converted the properties into a single home once again, before listing it for a price of US $19 million.
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The massive, eccentric mansion is spread across six bedrooms – five of which come with their own dressing rooms – and five bathrooms, along with four reception rooms, a cinema, and a meditation room. One of the bedrooms in the mansion boasts a giant glass top for a ceiling offering a spectacular starry night view. In another corner of the house, is a mellow living room decorated with monochromatic décor, taupe-coloured furnishing, eccentric artwork, and a DJ table to spruce up the space. A glass-walled corridor connects the living room to the kitchen, another vibrant space decked up with floor-to-ceiling glass walls offering both indoor and outdoor terrace dining; the outdoor dining area is of course the preferable one given the comforting natural ambience.
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Other spaces like the cinema, meditation room and the many receptions boast a similar minimalistic venue with light hues and glass openings to let in as much light as possible. Other highlights include a windowless mezzanine-level snug in which the TV is set on a marble platform in the massive fireplace, a ground-floor laundry room gussied up with bright yellow paint, and a triple-height central hall, a dramatic central staircase.
Ciara and Russel Wilson
Photo Courtesy: Windermere Real Estate
Parting ways with the town of Seattle, former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife singer Ciara listed their stunning beachfront mansion in Bellevue for a whopping US $36 million. Touted to be the most expensive property for sale in Bellevue at the moment, the hefty price tag is justified given the massive 11,104-square-foot space.
Photo Courtesy: Windermere Real Estate
Combining opulent design with elegant interiors, the signature waterfront estate is divided into six bedrooms, seven bathrooms and features other luxe spaces such as a cinema, a dance/yoga studio, a recording studio, a sports court, a playground, and a four-boat dock among other things. The dramatic spiral staircase and crystal chandelier are a welcome treat for those walking through the two-storey front entrance. The mansion is divided into three floors. The main floor comprises two dining spaces, an epicurean kitchen that stretches onto the patio, and a pro gym that follows an all-back theme and is filled with pretty much every piece of equipment possible. On the second floor, there is the master bedroom that stretches across the entire east wing. There are three more en-suite bedrooms located on the second floor, all with a more or less similar design, each one boasting pristine views of the Lake Washington from their respective balconies. The lower level is the party hub of the mansion with a plush game room and home theatre along with the yoga studio and recording studio.
Photo Courtesy: Windermere Real Estate
While the inside is as glamorous as can be, the exterior does not hold back either. The property comes with one of the most impressive treehouses one might ever see. Perched behind the main property, the treehouse boasts a modern yet whimsical design with turf-covered walls, a dormer roof, and a spiral staircase. While quirky on the outside, the inside of the impressive treehouse is cosy with a faux fur carpet, plush cushions, and a spectacular view of the lake. Since the mansion sits on a hill, getting down to the dock or the main waterfront area can be carried out via a cable tram which was installed by the celebrity couple themselves.
Sugar Ray Leonard
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It’s round three for global boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard’s Florentine villa-inspired home in Southern California. The extravagant mega-mansion was originally listed three years ago for US $52 million, and re-listed last year at a discounted rate of US $46.5 million. Lowering the price, a little further, the boxing star has once again re-listed his mansion, this time for an asking price of US $45 million. Leonard and his wife Bernadette purchased what was then two different properties side by side, in the year 1993 and converted it into the mega mansion it is today.
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After being purchased, the mansion was designed by renowned architect, Richard Landry who is well known for his period-esque mansions that boast only the most dramatic detailing. The architect was asked to custom design the elaborately embellished, vine-encrusted residence which earned it the title of a “Florentine inspired villa.” Spread across approximately 17,000 square feet, the mega-mansion has a total of eight bedrooms and 15 bathrooms. Additionally, the indoor areas include spaces like a formal dining room, multiple lounge areas, an office, a gym, and a theatre, while the outdoors features a private tennis court, a golf course, and a massive garden area.
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What makes the home such an impressive property is the number of custom features that stand out in the minimally designed, neutral toned space. Elements like the exposed wooden beam ceilings, ornate tile flooring, castle-esque oil paintings and tapestries, and gigantic, wood-trimmed arched windows add character the space, something that is hard to find in properties today. The two-story family room, like most of the home, is a light-filled retreat with gorgeous glass doors and soaring ceilings. Most of the rooms, resemble each other in terms of décor and design, keeping it minimal yet elegant, while offering a tinge of unique pieces in the form of artworks or statement décor pieces. The view from each bedroom is the blanket of lush landscapes – enormous trees, plantings, and manicured gardens. Hidden within these lush landscapes, the stately manicured grounds offer a parking lot-sized motor court, sun-soaked south-facing terraces, great sweeps of lawn bordered by mature plantings, a stunning oval swimming pool, a tree-shaded putting green, and a lighted tennis court.
Trevor Noah
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The Tonight Show’s host Trevor Noah is ready for a whole new beginning. In addition to announcing his departure from the show, Noah has also enlisted his chic Manhattan penthouse for US $13 million. Like most of Manhattan’s luxe properties, Noah’s duplex comes with a sprawling view of the city, offering seclusion and privacy, given the height of the building. Occupying the 17th and 18th floors of Manhattan’s century-old Stella Tower, the three-bedroom apartment is spread across 3,596-square-feet, along with an extra 1,000-square-feet in the form of a spacious private terrace.
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Despite its modern, minimalistic aesthetic, the home features quite a few eloquent details like cast metal archways, double French doors, oak and limestone flooring and marble accents which add a certain flair to the space. The best part about the home, aside from its splendid views, is the airy ambience. Noah made sure to keep him home stylish yet uncluttered. That along with the massive 15-foot floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of daylight, giving it a bright, airy, and comforting vibe.
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A black floating staircase, leading to the upper floor is another impressive element. Unlike most homes that feature the entertainment zones in the lower levels, Noah’s home keeps the entertainment on top along with the main living areas like the living and dining areas. The dining room and kitchen sit in one large space, with a 12-seater dining table, and a custom chef’s kitchen featuring state of the art appliances such as a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a Wolf range and induction stove top, two Gaggenau dishwashers, a steam oven and a microwave, and a wine fridge and pantry. The roof-top terrace has to be one of the biggest highlights of the apartment. Connected to the sunroof via a set of double French doors, the spacious terrace features a plunge pool, wet bar and dining table that is perfect for outdoor events, not to mention the view!
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The lower level includes the bedrooms, one of which is currently set up as a swanky home theatre with theatre-style automatic chairs and 100% wool Holland & Sherry upholstered walls for an authentic theatre experience from home. The primary suite offers its own private foyer, a hand-rubbed Cortina leather wall and dual dressing rooms. In the principal bathroom, you will find a steam shower, soaking tub, heated limestone floors and marble vanities.
