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Former L.A. mayor can survey city from new perch

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Antonio Villaraigosa, who served eight years as L.A.’s 41st mayor, has bought a contemporary house in Hollywood Hills for $2.5 million.

The 1970s home takes in views of such landmarks as the Hollywood sign and the Griffith Observatory as well as downtown Los Angeles and the ocean.

The renovated multi-story space has skylights, a two-sided fireplace that defines the dining room, expansive windows, blond wood floors and pocket doors that open to decks and balconies.

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The family room leads to an art studio. There are three bedrooms, a breakfast area, an office and four bathrooms.

Villaraigosa, 62, was mayor from 2005 to 2013. He announced last month that he would not be running for U.S. Senate.

James Harris and David Parnes of the Agency and Kevin Bonn of Big Block Realty were the listing agents. Kurt Rappaport of Westside Estate Agency represented Villaraigosa.

Murdoch keeps it in the family

Media magnate Rupert Murdoch sold a house in Beverly Hills for $30 million, public records show.

Marketed outside the Multiple Listing Service last year, the property attracted interest from such Hollywood A-listers as Leonardo DiCaprio and drew multiple offers.

Murdoch ended up pulling the property off the market and sold it to his youngest son, James Murdoch, according to real estate sources not authorized to talk about the deal. The property was taken in the name of a New York limited-liability company.

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Constructed in 1926, the Wallace Neff-designed house was commissioned by early film director and silent film actor Fred Niblo. MCA founder Jules Stein bought the estate from Niblo. Rupert Murdoch was the third owner.

The 8,651-square-foot two-story house, set on 3.3 acres, hugs a round motorcourt in a semicircle layout. There are 11 bedrooms and nine bathrooms.

The wooded grounds include expanses of lawn and a swimming pool.

Rupert Murdoch is founder and chief executive of News Corp. and 21st Century Fox. He owns other real estate, primarily in New York, as well as the 13-acre Moraga Vineyards estate in Bel-Air, which he bought two years ago for $28.8 million.

James Murdoch is co-chief operating officer of 21st Century Fox.

A Sierra Towers record-setter

Television host Mary Hart and her husband, producer Burt Sugarman, have purchased a condominium in a West Hollywood high-rise for $8 million.

The price is the highest ever paid in the celebrity-popular Sierra Towers, based on sales reported in the MLS.

The seller was home designer turned jewelry designer Loree Rodkin. Michelle Obama wore her pieces to the 2009 inaugural balls.

The 3,533-square-foot contemporary condo, which was created earlier by combining two units, features two bedrooms and three bathrooms. The sleek and stylish interiors in the turn-key unit have an Asia-inspired vibe.

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There are panoramic city and ocean views and a covered patio/terrace.

Hart and Sugarman have listed their three-bedroom, three-bathroom unit in the Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. Live. That 2,220-square-foot downtown-view condo is priced at $2.6 million.

Hart, 64, hosted “Entertainment Tonight” from 1982 to 2011, setting a Guinness world record for longest-serving entertainment news host.

Sugarman, 76, is known for producing game shows and such films as the critically acclaimed “Children of a Lesser God” (1986).

Joshua Greer of Hilton & Hyland was the listing agent of the Sierra Towers condo. Fred Bernstein of Westside Estate Agency represented the couple.

Alex Limandri of Meridian Capital Real Estate is the listing agent of the Ritz-Carlton condo.

Timeless classic in Beverly Hills

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James Caan, the versatile actor who has maintained his leading-man staying power for decades, has listed his home in Beverly Hills at $3.995 million.

Set on nearly a half-acre lot in Benedict Hills and obscured from the street by lush landscaping, the gated Traditional-style house was built in 1948 but has been remodeled in keeping with the classic style.

The 5,146 square feet of interior space includes living and family rooms, five bedrooms and five bathrooms. A den with a fireplace sits off the eat-in kitchen.

French doors open to a backyard with a covered lanai, a swimming pool and a spa.

Caan, 74, is recognized for his big screen roles in “A Bridge Too Far,” “Brian’s Song” and “The Godfather,” for which he received an Oscar nomination. He was in the 2013-14 television series “Back in the Game.” His 2015 films will include “The Throwaways,” “Wuthering High” and “Minkow.”

The property was purchased in 2003 for $2.25 million, public records show.

David Friedman of Keller Williams and Paul Czako of Gussman Czako Estates are the listing agents.

Drummer snares spot in Studio City

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Steven Adler, who gained fame as part of Guns N’ Roses in the late 1980s, has bought a house in Studio City for $1,337,500.

Built in 1942, the English countryside-inspired home takes in views of the mountains, the San Fernando Valley and mature oak trees. Inside the remodeled house, the entry leads to a vaulted-ceiling living room with a fireplace. The dining area opens to a deck.

The more than 2,700 square feet of living space includes three bedrooms and three bathrooms. One of the two master suites features a cobblestone fireplace, a sitting room and vaulted ceilings.

There’s off-street parking for up to eight cars.

Adler, 50, was the drummer and co-songwriter for the big-hair band until 1990. In recent years, he has been drummer for the band Adler and appeared on the television reality shows “Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew” and “Sober House.”

This year, he released a collection of art celebrating his 30 years at the drums.

The property previously sold in 1988 for $475,000.

Andrew Manning of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices was the listing agent. Lori Shelton of John Aaroe Group represented Adler.

Seeking role of home seller

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Roger Cross of “24” fame has listed a house for sale in Hollywood Hills West at $1.85 million.

The Mediterranean-style home was built in 1958 and has been renovated. Interior arches, skylights and dark hardwood floors set a sophisticated tone throughout the house.

The 2,638 square feet of interior space include living, dining and family rooms, four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The backyard features a gated solar-heated swimming pool with a spa and a barbecue area set next to a lawn. There are canyon and cityscape views.

Cross, 45, has been in such films as “The Chronicles of Riddick” (2004) and “X-Men 2” (2003). He is currently on the series “Arrow,” “Dark Matter” and “The Strain.”

The actor bought the property in 2006 for $1.525 million.

Darren Winston of John Aaroe Group is the listing agent.

lauren.beale@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATHotProperty

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