Hot Property: Jesse James names his price for Sunset Beach home
Reality show star and motorcycle manufacturer Jesse James, the estranged husband of Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock, has listed his Orange County home of eight years for $6.75 million.
The beachfront Mediterranean sits along the sand in Sunset Beach on a gated corner lot with views of the ocean, Catalina, the Long Beach skyline and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. A stone path leads past a fountain to the double-door entry of the two-story villa. The great room features stone floors, coved ceilings and an oversized fireplace with a stone surround and mantel. A crescent-shaped island with bar seating and a food prep area with sink separates the living and dining areas from the kitchen, which has granite counters, maple cabinets, stainless-steel appliances and a walk-in pantry. There are four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a powder room in 3,600 square feet.
The second-story master suite with beam ceiling includes a fireplace, a walk-in closet, his and hers vanities and a custom-made brass spa tub. A media/game room, a wet bar, an office and en suite guest room complete the second floor.
Designed for entertaining, a glass-enclosed lanai with a swimming pool, a grotto, a waterfall, a waterslide and automated tiki torches overlooks the beach.
The three-car garage has built-in tool storage and space for a workshop. A state-of-the-art security system includes multiple cameras and video and audio systems.
James bought the property newly remodeled in 2002 for $3.6 million. He and Bullock had lived in the home since their 2005 wedding. The pair separated in March following reports that James had been unfaithful, a fact he acknowledged last week on ABC’s “Nightline” with a simple “yep.” Bullock filed for divorce a month ago in Texas.
Bullock, 45, won the Academy Award for lead actress this year for “The Blind Side.” She owns property and businesses in several states.
James, 41, is chief executive of custom cycle maker West Coast Choppers. He competed on “Celebrity Apprentice” (2009) and hosted the cable series “Monster Garage” (2003-06).
Although his real estate agent declined to comment on why James is selling the family home, where he is heading or what other properties he owns, the biker told “Nightline” that the paparazzi has been stalking his every move. It has been widely reported that James will relocate to Austin.
The listing agent is Chuck Buscemi of First Team Real Estate, Huntington Beach.
Stand-up guy takes his show on the road
“I’ve been livin’ la vida Yoda, and it’s time to go,” says comedian, writer and actor Barry Sobel, who has listed his condominium in a gated Venice complex at $849,000.
A decade ago he was splitting his time between the two-bedroom “fortress,” as he calls it, and the Paramount Hotel in New York City while writing for “Saturday Night Live.”
One Friday before a Saturday show, comic Jimmy Fallon was working with Sobel on a parody song in the unit’s second bedroom/office and “Livin’ La Vida Yoda” was born.
“I was crying-laughing so hard that I had to crawl on the floor to the other room,” Sobel said.
The modern loft-style town house features floor-to-ceiling windows, vaulted ceilings and a deck with mountain and city views. There are 1,263 square feet of living space in three levels.
The kitchen has slate countertops, stainless-steel appliances and Italian tile floors. Among personal touches is a strategically placed 8-by-10 of Fallon bearing the inscription, “Ha, you found the garbage.”
Sobel is not including the photo in the purchase price but said it could be negotiated separately.
Near shops and restaurants and decorated with oversized Radiohead and Bruce Springsteen posters, the place “is like a Pee-Wee’s Playhouse for an adult,” Sobel said. “I go everywhere on my bike.”
He is selling because his work will be taking him back to his roots and on the road. “I’m a stand-up comedian,” said Sobel, whose early routines put rap into comedy. “I’m moving on to my dreams.”
Beyond stand-up, Sobel has a cartoon in development with Tom Hanks and is working with Hanks on an Internet homage to his Comedy Central talk show from the ‘90s, “The Barry Sobel Show.”
“Everything you loved about a talk show we did in three minutes,” Sobel said.
The comic met Hanks on the movie “Punchline” (1988), in which Sobel had a part and served as an advisor to the star. He played the new nerd in the film “Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise” (1987).
Sobel bought the unit in 1998 for $243,000, according to public records.
Staci Siegel of Engel & Volkers, Santa Monica, has the listing.
Scene change in Sherman Oaks
Actor Bruce Davison and his wife, Michele, have put their remodeled Sherman Oaks home up for sale at $1.8 million.
Originally built in 1959, the updated house has a two-story atrium entry, a media room, an exercise room, six bedrooms and five bedrooms in more than 5,200 square feet. A second-floor in-law apartment has its own kitchen and entrance.
The gated property, with a swimming pool, a spa, a gazebo and an organic garden, is on a cul-de-sac.
The actor has owned the home since 1986 and oversaw the addition of the second floor, which was completed in 2003. Walls of glass take in the valley and mountain views.
Davison, 63, began his Broadway career in the late ‘60s, and television and film roles soon followed. He won a Golden Globe for his supporting role in “Longtime Companion” (1989). His television appearances have included “Lost” (2006 and 2010), “Ghost Whisperer” (2009-10) and “Knight Rider” (2008-09). He will star in the upcoming thrillers “Arctic Blast” and “Camp Hope.”
The listing agent is Dorene Lauer Martin of Coldwell Banker’s Studio City office.
A quick turnover at Clifton’s manse
Update: The Los Feliz home once owned by Clifford E. Clinton, the founder of the L.A. institution Clifton’s Cafeteria, has sold for $1,285,000. It came on the market in March at $1,799,000 and was in escrow within the month.
Built in 1928, the Spanish-style two-story home retained such original features as tile mosaics, stained glass, Art Deco light fixtures and Catalina tile. The Clinton family owned the house from 1936 until 1949.
The 5,866-square-feet house has three fireplaces, a two-story entry, a step-down living room with coffered ceilings, a cocktail lounge, a billiard room, six bedrooms and five bathrooms.
The listing agents were Chris Laib and Ron McGee of Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz. Gene Petersen of Pacific Coast Acquisitions represented the buyer.
