Kristen Wiig and Meryl Streep are the latest stars to land homes in Pasadena
Has Hollywood discovered Pasadena?
The San Gabriel Valley city is enjoying a moment in the spotlight thanks to a spree of high-profile home sales. Actresses Summer Bishil and Mandy Moore were among the first to buy in the area this year, and now other stars have followed suit.
Actress Kristen Wiig, who previously made her home in Los Feliz, recently paid $2.96 million for a midcentury-modern house with a design pedigree.
Designed and built in 1947 as part of the Case Study program — the postwar showcase of innovative and inexpensive home-building techniques — the split-level residence is surrounded by lush landscaping on a sloping lot.
Inside, the 3,425 square feet of living space centers on a floor-to-ceiling fireplace that divides the common rooms. Interior details include hardwood floors and pitched ceilings. Walls of windows on two sides of the house bring in leafy views.
A swimming pool and spa, lawns and patios make up the grounds.
Cynthia Luczyski and Lauren Luczyski of Deasy/Penner were the listing agents. Bryony Atkinson of Maisonre represented the buyer.
Wiig, 44, was a performer on “Saturday Night Live” from 2005 to 2012. She has starred in such film comedies as “Bridesmaids” (2011), “Masterminds” (2014) and “Ghostbusters” (2016).
A trophy spot for her awards
Meryl Streep, who appears in Steven Spielberg’s new film “The Post,” has bought a classic example of the post-and-beam style in Pasadena for $3.6 million.
The single-story house, designed by Smith & Williams and built in 1959, sits on about 2 acres of grounds with mountain and arroyo views.
A vaulted-ceiling living room, a formal dining room, an office/studio, three bedrooms and three bathrooms lie within nearly 3,100 square feet of open-plan living space. Skylights bathe the interior in natural light. The windows, doors and terrazzo marble floors are original.
Outdoors, mature trees provide shade for a swimming pool. Various sitting areas, gardens and a car port complete the park-like grounds.
The property listed in September for $4.125 million but was taken off the market prior to selling.
Streep, 68, has won Academy Awards for her work in “The Iron Lady” (2011), “Sophie’s Choice” (1982) and “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979). The busy actress will appear in the films “Mary Poppins Returns” and “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” next year.
The anatomy of a deal
Actress Ellen Pompeo of “Grey’s Anatomy” has sold an income property in the Hollywood Hills for $2.075 million, or $80,000 more than the asking price.
The split-level residence on a leafy hillside lot had been leased out in the range of $6,500- to $7,500 per month. It previously changed hands nearly a decade ago for $1.226 million, records show.
Set at the end of a steep driveway, the Harry Greene-designed house boasts walls of windows that capture treetop and canyon views.
About 1,900 square feet of open-plan living space includes a step-down living room, a media room and an eat-in kitchen. In the master suite, sliding glass doors open to a private outdoor bathtub. There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms in all.
Outdoors, a central courtyard holds a rock fire pit and built-in barbecue. Flagstone and lush landscaping surround the swimming pool and spa in the backyard.
Brett Lawyer of Hilton & Hyland was the listing agent. Tori Horowitz of Compass represented the buyer.
Pompeo, 48, is known for her long-running role as Dr. Meredith Grey on the medical drama show. Among her film credits are “Catch Me If You Can” (2002), “Old School” (2003” and “Life of the Party” (2005).
Offers gonna come his way
The Stanley House, the first single-family home project by Lenny Kravitz and his interior design firm, has hit the market for $38 million.
Rising from a hilltop in Hollywood Hills West, the modern mansion is set on about a third of an acre above the Sunset Strip with city and ocean views.
An artistic staircase connects the three levels of living space, which extend outdoors through terraces and patio space. The 10,700-square-foot house features marble walls, expanses of glass and a lower-level nightclub. Gallery walls display pieces by street and studio artist Retna.
There are five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, including a multi-room master suite.
A 12,000-pound granite boulder was used to create the outdoor fire feature. The circular, 70-foot-wide swimming pool gives the illusion of floating on air. A hydraulic lift opens and closes the “invisible” garage door.
Kravitz served as creative director for the speculative development, introducing exotic wood and stone details while curating the wares and custom furniture. The home is the last work of the late Austin Kelly, who co-founded XTEN Architecture.
Hilton & Hyland agent Branden Williams, who is listed as a manager of the entity that owns the property, sees the project as a marriage of old- and new-school style.
“We searched high and low for interior designers that could give this property such rich soul, and that’s what Lenny and his team created,” Williams said. “When you’re here, you’re not sure what era you’re in. We wanted to keep people guessing.”
Williams shares the listing with his wife, Rayni.
Handing one off in Del Mar
Carson Palmer has completed a quick strike in the San Diego County real estate market.
The professional football quarterback listed his Del Mar home for sale in November and in about a week was in escrow, records show. The five-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom house sold for $5.85 million, or $100,000 shy of the asking price.
Built in 2007, the shake-sided home sits high up on the street and has concrete steps that lead to a wide front porch. The 3,809 square feet of living space includes a vaulted-ceiling living room, a chef’s kitchen, a dining room, five bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.
There are ocean views from three separate decks. A flagstone patio, brick fireplace and barbecue island, a whirpool bath and citrus trees fill the backyard.
Palmer bought the property a decade ago for $4.75 million.
The 37-year-old football veteran won the Heisman Trophy while attending USC. The three-time Pro Bowl player was selected first overall in the 203 draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He is in his fifth season with the Arizona Cardinals.
Rande Turner of Ranch and Coast Real Estate was the listing agent. Gregory Brown of Sea Coast Exclusive Properties represented the buyer.
Twitter: @LATHotProperty
