Hot Property: Jerry Weintraub’s Palm Desert retreat nears long-awaited sale
The onetime Palm Desert home of late Hollywood producer Jerry Weintraub returned to market last week for $6.9 million, and in three days had an offer in hand.
The striking contemporary-style home, which was designed and built for the mega-producer, was first offered three years ago for $16 million. More recently, it was listed at $9 million.
A work of architect Guy Dreier, the single-story house combines bold geometric shapes and natural finishes to striking effect. At the heart of the home is a massive common area divided by a floating fireplace feature. Pocketing walls of glass capitalize on the warm-weather climate of the Coachella Valley while opening the space to mountain and golf course views.
Also within more than 9,150 square feet of living space is a center-island chef’s kitchen, a home theater, five bedrooms and a gym. A custom-built bar room was designed to evoke the pub at the historic Claridge’s hotel in London.
The house sits on about 1.5 acres in the Bighorn Country Club community and has two infinity-edge swimming pools and two spas. A motor court and drive-through garage also lie on the property.
Weintraub, who died in 2015 at 77, started his show business career as a talent agent, overseeing the tours of artists such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Bob Dylan. His credits as a producer include the “Karate Kid” and “Ocean’s Eleven” franchises.
Richard Bartholomew and David Finley of the Agency hold the listing.
Set decorator hopes to see action
Hollywood set decorator Jay Hart, who is up for an Academy Award for his work on the Marvel film “Black Panther,” has designs on a sale in Palm Springs. He’s put his home of seven years on the market for $2.195 million.
The contemporary-style house, built in 1980, was reimagined by Hart and pairs a smooth stucco exterior with open living spaces awash in white walls and charcoal-hued flooring.
Beyond a courtyard entry, which holds a swimming pool, the single-story opens to a great room with vaulted ceilings and a marble fireplace. An updated kitchen sits nearby and features custom cabinetry and an island with a waterfall edge.
A formal dining room, an office/den, a family room with a bar, three bedrooms and five updated bathrooms also lie within more than 4,100 square feet of interior. In the master bath, marble slabs bookend an eye-catching walk-in shower.
The home, which sits on more than an acre, also has a guesthouse with a separate entry. Desert landscaping fills out the walled and gated property.
Hart previously garnered Oscar nods for the films “L.A. Confidential” (1997) and “Pleasantville” (1998). In addition to “Black Panther,” he has worked on such superhero blockbusters as “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” and “Spider-Man 2.”
TTK Represents of HK Lane, an affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, holds the listing.
She’s got room for more company
Actress-entrepreneur Suzanne Somers and her husband, producer Alan Hamel, have bought a pedigreed home in the foothills of Palm Springs for $2.35 million.
Found on a ridge within a gated community, the custom-built house features the work of Steve Chase, the late interior designer who worked with Arthur Elrod before launching his eponymous firm in 1980. Rona Barrett, Farrah Fawcett and Gene Hackman were among his clients.
Built in 1978, the single-story house boasts such modernist staples as high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and function space designed for entertaining. A mirrored ceiling tops a conversation pit in the great room, which has a two-way fireplace.
Nearly 4,900 square feet of living space also holds an eat-in kitchen, a dining room, four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms.
Grounds measuring more than an acre include a separate casita, a spa and a swimming pool. Views from the property take in the Coachella Valley floor and surrounding mountains.
The property came up for sale in January for the first time in its history, records show.
Jeff Litton of HomeSmart Professionals was the listing agent. Scott Lyle of Douglas Elliman represented the buyers.
Somers, 72, is known for the 1973 film “American Graffiti” and, later, the sitcoms “Three’s Company” and “Step by Step.” Hamel, 82, hosted such ‘60s television game shows as “Wedding Party” and “Anniversary Game.” He later produced a number of Somers’ TV and video specials.
Last year, the couple were set to sell their longtime Palm Springs compound by auction with no reserve, but ultimately chose not to go through with the bidding process. The 73-plus-acre property, which in the past has listed for as much as $35 million, is not currently for sale.
A modern beat in La Quinta
Universal Music Group Chairman and Chief Executive Lucian Grainge has paid $6.3 million for a modern home in Madison Club, a private golf course community in La Quinta.
Designed and built in 2016 by architect Michael Kovac, the single-story home has four wings that surround an interior courtyard. Inside, white walls and sparse decor bring a sense of spaciousness to the interior, which features a mix of natural elements and handcrafted finishes.
Within about 6,025 square feet of interior space are a living room with a fireplace, a formal dining room and a center-island kitchen. A media room has a wet bar and other built-ins.
A total of six bedrooms and seven bathrooms includes a guest suite.
Outside, a large covered patio with a fireplace creates space for al fresco dining and entertaining. An oversize spa, fire pits and an infinity-edge swimming pool fill out the landscaped grounds.
Grainge, 58, was elevated to his position as chief executive at Universal Music nearly a decade ago after heading up the group’s international operation for five years.
As CEO, he led the $1.9-billion acquisition of EMI’s record music business in 2011. He also oversaw a major partnership with Jay Z’s Roc Nation and the sale of its stake in Beats to Apple.
Glenn Cassell of Hideaway Properties Corp. represented both the buyer and seller in the deal.
Building on old Hollywood roots
In the Movie Colony, a Palm Springs neighborhood named for its decades of Hollywood residents, a former home of actor George Montgomery and singer-actress Dinah Shore is on the market for $1.655 million.
Built for the former acting couple in 1952, the California ranch house was recently restored and renovated for modern living. Among details of note are terrazzo floors, vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and walls of windows that take in pool and garden views.
A wide island/breakfast bar and custom cabinetry highlight the new-look kitchen.
The roughly 2,600-square-foot floor plan also has a living room with a fireplace, a formal dining room, four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Sliding doors in each bedroom open to the backyard.
The house, which is walled and gated, sits on more than a third of an acre and has a swimming pool. Covered and uncovered patios, an outdoor shower and landscaping fill out the property.
Marc Sanders of the Agency holds the listing.
Shore, who died in 1994 at 76, amassed nine gold records and 10 Emmy Awards during her career, which began in radio before branching out into television.
Montgomery, who died in 2000 at 84, starred in numerous films, particularly cowboy movies, in the 1930s and ’40s. Also a furniture maker and architect, he designed and built 11 homes during his lifetime.
The entertainers were married from 1943-1963.
neal.leitereg@latimes.com | Twitter: @LATHotProperty
