Unique Homes Blog

By Kathleen Carlin-Russell, Editor in chief

Years ago, I did a story on celebrity estates. The gist of it was basically posing the question of whether presenting a property as a celebrity estate made a difference to the way it was marketed, the value given to a home, etc. The story angle came out of fact that two of Marilyn Monroe’s homes (in Beverly Hills and Manhattan) were on the market at the same time—a rare event, especially for a Hollywood legend. At the time, I spoke to the agents of both properties and the general consensus was, not surprisingly, that for the most part, if a famous name is attached to a home, it garners more attention, and, often, more foot traffic/interest. As for added value? It was a split decision. Clearly homes have to have more than a little glamour or a dash of nostalgia attached to them to sell, especially in today’s market, but there is something to be said for the press, the energy and exposure a famously owned estate receives.

A sought-after location has surely got to top the list of what makes a home stand out, in addition to its amenities and details. And, as always, it’s the complete package that determines its worth. So, what complete packages are out there right now in the celebrity category? Quite of bit of wonderful old and what I’ll call semi-old Hollywood is for sale, including the homes of Greta Garbo, Frank Sinatra, Cecile B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks, Anjelica Huston and Marion Davies. All of these homes are found in the celebrity-centric state of California, and all in the Los Angeles area. Prices for these properties range from $60 million for Fairbanks’ historic Pickfair estate to an $11.5 million asking price for Greta Garbo’s Malibu beachfront home. There’s no lack of Hollywood lore attached to these properties, which have hosted the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, Mary Pickford and more. While a more traditional architectural style is found at Pickfair and the former Davies residence, a true contemporary feel exudes from Anjelica Huston’s $18 million modern residence, complete with a vast artist’s studio/flexible space. The sand and ocean are at your doorstep at Garbo’s updated Malibu retreat and just a short walk from Huston’s Venice home. For the equestrian, Cecil B. DeMille’s working ranch with 600 acres can be had for $28 million; for the Old Hollywood buff, Old Blue Eyes’ home (shown at right) on famed North Carolwood Drive (a street that has been home to Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Barbra Streisand and more) is available for the first time in 50 years, and offered for $22.5 million.

Seemingly, between styles, location and amenities, there is a home to suit any discriminating buyer’s needs, with a healthy dose of Hollywood history—perfect for conversations at those future housewarming parties—thrown in.

Perhaps such an event has already taken place in a home in Brentwood, Calif., where, coincidentally, another of Marilyn Monroe’s homes was on the market just a couple of months ago. According to a recent published report, the home—perhaps her most famous as it was her last address—was sold for above its asking price of $3.595 million (it sold for $3.85 million). Was that higher sales price due to its location? Its features? Was it well priced? Did its claim to fame have anything to do with it? Take a look here and feel free to let me know what you think.

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