Hot Property: Rocker Pete Wentz readies to cut a tie in Encino
Half a decade is plenty for Pete Wentz, who has put his Encino home of five years on the market for $2.395 million.
The house has been a hot spot for musicians over the years; Wentz bought it from R&B singer-songwriter Eric Benet for $1.965 million in 2014, records show. That was around the same time Wentz sold his old place in Studio City for $1.23 million.
Built in the 1950s and remodeled a decade ago, the gated property sits on roughly half an acre in Amestoy Estates. There are a palm-lined motor court in the front and a resort-like backyard with a basketball court, saltwater pool and spa under hanging lights.
Arched doorways and hardwood floors fill the single-story floor plan, which holds five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms in 4,091 square feet. Beamed ceilings top the living room, gourmet kitchen and master suite, and the master also adds a spa tub and sauna.
Outside, gardens and citrus trees bring a little color to the hedge-lined grounds.
Thomas Atamian of Compass and Deedee Howard of the Agency hold the listing.
Wentz, 40, is best known as the lyricist and bassist for Grammy-nominated pop-punk band Fall Out Boy, which released its seventh studio album, “Mania,” last year. In addition, he co-founded record label DCD2 Records with bandmate Patrick Stump in 2005.
No longer a free agent
NBA superstar Kevin Durant has wrapped up some business in Malibu, selling his oceanfront home on Broad Beach for $12.15 million.
Accounting for real estate commissions and other fees, the sale comes out as a bit of a wash for the 10-time all-star. He bought the place last year for $12.05 million, The Times previously reported in April.
Set off of a private and gated street, the multilevel house was recently remodeled and features 5,100 square feet of contemporary living space. High ceilings, skylights and French oak floors are among details of note. Sliding walls of glass take in ocean views on three levels.
Living spaces include a living room with a fireplace, a dining area, a center-island kitchen, a home theater, four bedrooms and six bathrooms. A separate media room features a glass-enclosed wine wall. There’s also an elevator servicing each floor.
An outdoor spa and dining patio finish off the indoor-outdoor setting. A small wooden staircase descends from the main patio area directly to a sandy cove.
James Harris, David Parnes and Sandro Dazzan of the Agency were the listing agents. Cooper Mount, also with the Agency, represented the buyer.
Durant, 30, is expected to miss the entire 2019-20 season after rupturing his Achilles during the NBA Finals. The former NBA MVP recently agreed to a four-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets worth $164 million, teaming up with fellow stars Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan.
In 78 games for the Warriors last year, the high-scoring forward averaged 26 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists.
Screenwriter seeks action
Screenwriter and producer Christopher Markus, whose credits include the Marvel blockbusters “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame,” has put his Silver Lake home on the market for $1.995 million.
Found in the Moreno Highlands area, the modern-style home was designed by architect Steven Hill as his personal residence and built in 1988. A studio/guesthouse where numerous Marvel screenplays were penned sits across from the main residence.
The three-bedroom, four-bathroom house features more than 2,800 square feet of living space across multiple levels, high ceilings and hardwood floors.
An updated kitchen and dining room overlook the living room, which features a wood-burning fireplace and picture windows that bring in the views. Two other wood-burning fireplaces lie in the master suite and studio.
Outside, concrete steps and a bridge are used to navigate a collection of patios, deck spaces and terraces. Views from the hillside property take in the surrounding city lights, mountains and the landmark Hollywood sign.
Denise Snanoudj of the Agency holds the listing.
Markus, 49, has collaborated with fellow screenwriter Stephen McFeely on numerous projects including the “Captain America” films and “Thor: The Dark World” as well as the last two “Avengers” movies.
Outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the duo have written screenplays for the “Chronicles of Narnia” films and the comedy “Pain & Gain,” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Mark Wahlberg.
Buzz in with an offer
In Beverly Hills, the estate of the late actress Elaine Stewart and her husband, late game show creator Merrill Heatter, is on the market for $19.5 million.
Built in 1923, the landscaped estate offers plenty of room to move. Set on three-quarters of an acre, the property has a Spanish Revival-style main house, a pair of guesthouses, a swimming pool, tennis court and fountain courtyard.
Approached by a palm-topped motor court, the two-story main residence features a façade of tan stucco and clay tile. Floors alternate between hardwood, carpet and tile inside.
Including the two guesthouses, there are six bedrooms and eight bathrooms across 7,742 square feet.
Stewart, who died in 2011 at 81, starred in dozens of MGM films during the ’50s and ’60s, with credits including “The Bad and the Beautiful,” “Take the High Ground!” and “A Slight Case of Larceny.”
Heatter, who died in 2017 at 91, worked as a screenwriter and producer. He won multiple Daytime Emmy awards for creating the game show “Hollywood Squares,” and his other creations include “Gambit” and “Catch 21.”
Drew and Susan Gitlin of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties hold the listing with Drew Fenton of Hilton & Hyland.
Whole lotta sellin’ goin’ on
A wop bop alu bop, a wop bam … gone? That’s the word in Los Angeles’ Lafayette Square neighborhood, where the onetime home of rock ’n’ roll icon Little Richard has sold for $1.878 million.
Built in 1923, the Spanish Revival-style home was purchased by Richard in the 1950s for himself and his mother, Leva Mae Stewart.
During his ownership, the two-story house was “an open house” for entertainers, with James Brown, Jackie Williams, Etta James and the Coasters among those making visits, according to the biography “The Life and Times of Little Richard.” Stewart’s big dinners often were shared among guests.
The property is also where Richard married Ernestine Campbell in a ceremony in 1959. The couple divorced three years later.
Dubbed the Tutti Frutti house in the listing, the home features a formal entry that opens to a grand living room with original hardwood floors and a Batchelder tile fireplace. A sunlit den/family room with garden views sits off the living room area.
A period-vibe kitchen, a dining room and four bedrooms also lie within about 3,300 square feet of living space. The three bathrooms were previously restored.
Nick Mercado of Sotheby’s International Realty handled both ends of the sale.
Richard, born Richard Penniman in 1932, has scores of hits including “Good Golly Miss Molly,” “Long Tall Sally” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ (Goin’ On).” Known for his flamboyant energy and style, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
neal.leitereg@latimes.com | Twitter: @LATHotProperty
