Casey Abby Blog's

Thursday, 1 October 2020

Train Car for Sale in Marfa, TX, Could Be a Cool Getaway Plan

The tiny town of Marfa wasn’t always a hip area for artists. Before the migration of creative types to this small speck of desert in west Texas, Marfa was a train city with lines rumbling right through town.

Even today, “the train is such a presence in Marfa,” says Lauren Meader Fowlkes of Far West Texas Realty. She’s the listing agent for a decommissioned caboose now on the market for $285,000. “We’re a town built around the rail line.”

Now, in a fun nod to the town’s railroad history, this Santa Fe Railroad steel caboose seeks a new owner. Built in 1948 as one of three for the rail company, the caboose was pulled out of service in 1984. The train car weighs just shy of 60,000 pounds.

The current owner has owned the caboose for years.

“She bought it for her 40th birthday,” explains Meader Fowlkes. “They’ve had it in their backyard in Hamilton, TX, for all these years. Other than the Union Pacific, they are the second owner.”

They recently relocated it to Marfa, and are now ready to bid it a fond farewell.

Local zoning already makes bunking in this 400-square-foot caboose legal, and it’s classified as a single-family dwelling.

“These train cars were built for someone to live in every day,” says Meader Fowlkes.

Wondering why there’s no cupola atop this particular caboose? There’s a reason: A cupola would have made passing through the tunnels on the Santa Mita rail line impossible.

What will need to be done to turn this caboose into a home?

While there’s a half-bath in the caboose, the stove was taken out of service, says Meader Fowlkes. “In order to live in this, you would need to do some upgrades to the plumbing, and add a shower.

“It’s truly a very robust structure,” she says, likening the caboose’s aesthetic to Marfa’s Crowley Theatre, which is located inside a former feed store.

“It’s deteriorated in a very attractive way,” says Meader Fowlkes, who adds that the buyer could either strip it down to the metal “Airstream-style” or retain its distressed and weathered exterior.

“Maybe this is a really fantastic office?” she suggests. Or perhaps a unique Airbnb listing?

“Our short-term rental market has maintained strong during the pandemic,” she adds.

And bonus for a buyer: The caboose sits on a double lot with room to build. So a buyer could erect an additional structure and keep the caboose for guest quarters, or relocate it altogether as the sellers just did.

“Lots of people use cabooses for the backyard. It would be possible to use this on another lot,” says Meader Fowlkes.

The post Train Car for Sale in Marfa, TX, Could Be a Cool Getaway Plan appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

source https://www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/train-car-for-sale-in-marfa/

Mel Brooks’ Former L.A. Home on the Market for $3.85M

Mel Brooks Los Angeles — Nils Tim, Jack Mitchell/Getty Images

No joke. This midcentury marvel in Los Angeles was once owned by the comedy legend Mel Brooks and his wife, the actress Anne Bancroft. It’s now on the market for $3.85 million.

And since Brooks and Bancroft sold the place in the 1980s to its current owner, the structure of the midcentury modern abode hasn’t changed.

“This property is steeped in Hollywood history,” says one of its listing agents, Andreas Elsenhans with Douglas Elliman.

“The owners made sure to keep the pool and fireplace untouched, as an ode to a different time. As you walk through the home, you can still feel the vibrant energy of all the Hollywood superstars who may have partied there. It truly is timeless.”

The funnyman’s secluded former pad is seriously nice. Nestled on a hillside, it has three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.

Mel Brooks’ former L.A. home
Credit: Nils Tim

Built in 1958, the home features an open plan with a living room and adjoining dining room. The great room is dominated by the original three-sided fireplace, and its oversized windows and glass doors make indoor-outdoor living easy.

A library/den comes with wall-mounted bookcases and hillside views. The home’s open kitchen includes a center island, maple cabinetry, a butler’s pantry, and high-end appliances.

The spacious master suite has a bathroom, walk-in closet, and built-ins. Another en suite bedroom comes with outdoor access.

For a buyer in need of help, there are also staff quarters on the premises.

Outside, the grounds include palm trees and plants, a terrace, saltwater pool, spa, and an outdoor kitchen with barbecue. A private gate and two-car garage complete the property.

Brooks, who was born in Brooklyn as Melvin Kaminsky, is known for his comic classics, such as “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Spaceballs,” and “The Producers.”

The “2000 Year Old Man,” as he was called in his classic comedy sketch, is now 94 and belongs to the ultra-exclusive EGOT club: He’s been awarded an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and a Tony. The Academy Award-winning actress Bancroft, who died in 2005, starred in “The Graduate,” “The Miracle Worker,” and “The Elephant Man.”

Andreas Elsenhans with Douglas Elliman and Zac Mostame with NestSeekers hold the listing.

The post Mel Brooks’ Former L.A. Home on the Market for $3.85M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

source https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/mel-brooks-former-home-on-the-market-in-los-angeles/

Foodie Filmmaker David Gelb Orders Up a Couple of Real Estate Deals in L.A.

David Gelb Los Angeles home — realtor.com, Erik Voake/Getty Images

The culinary content creator David Gelb—the man behind the critically acclaimed film “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” and the popular Netflix series “Chef’s Table”—has prepped a two-course real estate deal in the Hollywood Hills. Within a single week, he purchased one home and put another on the market.

Gelb closed on a 3,471-square-foot contemporary home near Mulholland Drive in the Laurel Hills area just a week before he put his Beachwood Canyon home on the market for $2.5 million.

The status of the latter home is not clear right now. Initially listed in July, it’s currently off market. It could be that Gelb decided to hold onto the place, found a tenant, or is in the process of closing a deal.

Records indicate that Gelb paid $3.22 million for the latest home on his real estate menu. It was originally built in 1972, but has been recently renovated. The residence now boasts an open floor plan with five bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, and remarkable views of the San Fernando Valley.

Director David Gelb’s new Hollywood Hills home
realtor.com

His new acquisition also features two master suites and an array of high-tech goodies, including security cameras, an electric-car charging station, and remote controls for its many automated features, including a heated pool and hot tub.

And of course, this gourmet aficionado requires a delicious chef’s kitchen, with a 48-inch, oversized stove, JennAir appliances, a herringbone marble backsplash, and a large waterfall island. The space is perfect for entertaining guests with a gustatory bent.

The multilevel home Gelb put on the market in July also has a chef’s kitchen, with double dishwashers and Wolf appliances. It also offers plenty of outdoor dining space, on decks with classic views of Los Angeles.

In addition, it’s in a location that any true food fan would enjoy—just a few minutes from chic eateries in Hollywood and Los Feliz.

David Gelb’s Beachwood Canyon home
realtor.com

One of the more interesting features of the terraced property is a pristine white wall on one side of the heated pool, which is used as an outdoor theater screen. There’s also a thriving secret garden with lemon trees and herbs.

Gelb isn’t the only notable name to realize the value of the home, built in 1993. America Ferrera, of “Ugly Betty” and “Superstore” fame, once lived there.

She paid $1,415,000 for the three-bedroom, four-bathroom home in 2008, and lost a little cash on it when she sold it in 2012 for $1,240,000 in 2012. Gelb purchased the 3,427-square-foot home in 2017, for $2,175,000.

Gelb, 36, catapulted to fame thanks to his work on the 2011 documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi.” He then went on to helm the horror film “The Lazarus Effect,” and created two Netflix food series, “Chef’s Table,” which has twice been nominated for an Emmy Award, and “Street Food.”

The post Foodie Filmmaker David Gelb Orders Up a Couple of Real Estate Deals in L.A. appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

source https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/david-gelb-orders-up-a-couple-of-real-estate-deals/

Wednesday, 30 September 2020

Prolific TV Producer Ryan Murphy Sells Luxurious Laguna Beach Estate at a Discount

Ryan Murphy Laguna Beach — realtor.com, Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The television producer Ryan Murphy has finally sold his luxury compound in Orange County, CA. Murphy accepted an offer of $10.65 million, after initially putting the place on the market in early 2018 for $18.75 million.

Murphy acquired part of the property in Laguna Beach for $4,475,000 in 2005, and proceeded to buy an adjacent parcel in 2007 for a little under $3 million.

He combined the two parcels and toyed with the idea of selling them as a package, listing the property for $8 million in 2011.

But instead of letting go of the lush locale, with scenic views of the coastline, islands, and canyon, he hired the renowned architect Mark Singer to redesign the compound completely.

He also brought in the designer Cliff Fong to create a museum-quality interior. The finished product earned a spread in Architectural Digest.

“I wanted to nest, to create a weekend getaway for my growing family,” Murphy told the magazine. “The idea was to make both houses steel and glass, and the gardens modernist but bold and odd (like much of my work, I have been told).”

Ryan Murphy’s estate in Laguna Beach, CA
realtor.com

It took five years to complete the remodel to Murphy’s exacting specifications.

“Peaceful, clean-lined, modern, and oddly quirky, my finally finished family home embodies my fantasy of California—glamorous but effortless, a place to dream and retreat—and how I pictured myself living here when I was kid,” he told AD in 2017.

Once finished, the estate became something of a landmark in Laguna Beach. It sits on a lush green hillside with unobstructed views of the ocean. The property includes a 5,000-square-foot main house, plus a two-bedroom live/work guesthouse.

There’s also a two-story pool pavilion, a pool and spa, an outdoor kitchen, dining areas, fireplaces, and exquisitely manicured and walled gardens, with olive trees shading it all.

The gracefully curved citrus allée also adds to the allure of the property.

The single-story main house features four bedrooms and an open floor plan. Floor-to-ceiling walls of glass, plus folding doors and skylights, let in plenty of California sunlight.

Polished concrete floors and wraparound patios add to the airy, coastal vibe.

The owner’s suite could be a complete residence in and of itself. Luxe amenities in the suite include a spa-style bath/lounge, rosewood built-ins, office space, and a private herb/vegetable garden right outside.

Owner’s suite bedroom with sunset views
realtor.com

Spacious bathroom in the owner’s suite
realtor.com

The estate had most recently been listed in July 2020 at the reduced price of $12.5 million. Kevin Augunas and Chris Cortazzo of Compass were the listing agents, and Dan Bushman of Coastline Real Estate Group represented the buyer.

According to Variety, Murphy’s main residence is a Spanish Revival near Sunset Boulevard that he bought from Diane Keaton.

He also owns a large, hacienda-style mansion in Brentwood.

Murphy, 54, recently released “Ratched,” his latest series for Netflix. It follows on the heels of “The Politician” and “Hollywood,” Murphy’s first two creations after signing a $300 million contract with the global streaming service.

The post Prolific TV Producer Ryan Murphy Sells Luxurious Laguna Beach Estate at a Discount appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

source https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/ryan-murphy-sells-laguna-beach-estate/

Singer Elle King Is Close to a Sale of Her Hollywood Hills Home

Elle King Los Angeles home — realtor.com, Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

The singer and songwriter Elle King is serious about bidding a fond farewell to her cool home in the Hollywood Hills. King recently reduced the price on the place, described as “California Spanish meets Hollywood Hills boho chic,” to $1,665,000.

Her strategy seems to have paid off—the home is now in contingent sale status.

Nestled on a hillside not far from Universal Studios, the 3,500-square-foot classic Spanish-style home was built in 1988.

King didn’t intend to stay there for long, apparently, and is willing to take a hit on the price. She purchased the place in January 2018 for $1.72 million, and has had it on and off the market since May 2018, when it was listed at $1,795,000.

Her loss will be a lucky buyer’s gain, as the home is full of custom charm, with features like rich dark wood floors, crown moldings, unique wrought-iron railings, built-in cabinetry, and period archways leading from room to room. Underfoot, there’s a fun mix of hardwood, slate, and travertine flooring.

Elle King’s Hollywood Hills home
realtor.com

Luxury features in the four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home include a wine cellar, an elaborate custom chandelier, a stacked stone fireplace, and a kitchen with gorgeous marble and granite countertops, as well as top-of-the-line appliances.

Kitchen with rainforest marble
realtor.com

Few homes in Southern California have basements, but this is a rare example. Counting the basement, this could be considered a four-level home.

The backyard is skillfully terraced, with multiple conversation and dining areas. Several balconies, patios, and decks overlook the backyard.

King’s career in entertainment began when she was 10, when she appeared in “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,” which starred her father, the comedian Rob Schneider.

After that experience, she turned her attention to music, and scored a huge hit with the double Grammy-nominated, Top 10 single “Ex’s & Oh’s.” She’s currently nominated for two Academy of Country Music Awards, and is promoting her latest EP, “In Isolation.” She wrote, recorded, and shot the video for it in this very house.

Denise Rosner of Compass has the listing.

The post Singer Elle King Is Close to a Sale of Her Hollywood Hills Home appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

source https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/elle-king-close-to-sale-of-hollywood-hills-home/

Lake Tahoe Ranch That Served as Ponderosa on ‘Bonanza’ Sells for a Record $38M

You can’t help but wonder what Hoss and Little Joe would say about the sale of the site of TV’s fictional Ponderosa Ranch for $38 million. It set the record for the highest-priced waterfront residential sale on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.

Now known as Sierra Sunset, the 24-acre property in Zephyr Cove was used as backdrop for the popular TV series “Bonanza,” which aired from 1959 to 1973. You may remember the family riding horseback on the pine-forested property along the shores of the massive freshwater lake.

The property wasn’t always a TV star. It was originally the site of the historic Bourne estate, named for Singer sewing machine heir Arthur Bourne. Not so coincidentally, the new owner was a childhood friend of the Bourne family. He spent summers at the beach and at the original home that existed before the construction of Sierra Sunset.

“The new owner is the perfect steward for this historic property. He will maintain the natural beauty of the meadows and lakeside setting. It’s exciting to see the Bourne history will live on through the ties back to their family,” says listing agent Lexi Cerretti of Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty.

Built in 2004, the main residence would have dropped the jaws of the Cartwright family. The 17,700-square-foot mansion features two living rooms, a game room with bar, a home theater, an eat-in kitchen, a wine room with seating, two offices, a home gym with full bath and sauna, and a crafts room.

Sierra Sunset front exterior
realtor.com

In addition to the master suite, there are seven en suite guest rooms. A two-bedroom guesthouse includes a full kitchen and living area. In total, there are nine bedrooms and 9.5 baths.

The main house has a number of luxe touches, including nine fireplaces, oversize mahogany doors, and heated stone and wood flooring. After all, it does get cold in this part of the country in winter.

In the spring, summer, and early fall, residents and guests can enjoy 378 feet of sandy beachfront highlighted by a pier, boat hoist, and buoy.

In an echo of its TV past, Sierra Sunset is also a property for equine aficionados. There’s a 7-acre parcel with a 15-stall stable, wash rack, and grooming area for horses. The home’s sellers were known for raising champion thoroughbreds—including the property’s namesake, Sierra Sunset.

And as is the case with many multimillion-dollar properties, the record-setting sale took a few years to come together. The world-famous ranch has been on and off the market since 2016, when it was listed for $59 million.

The post Lake Tahoe Ranch That Served as Ponderosa on ‘Bonanza’ Sells for a Record $38M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

source https://www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/lake-tahoe-ranch-that-served-as-bonanza-ponderosa-sells/