Melanie Brown spices up Hollywood Hills West
Melanie Brown — also known as Mel B or Scary Spice from her days with the British pop group Spice Girls — and her husband, producer Stephen Belafonte, have bought a house in Hollywood Hills West for $4.34 million, public records show.
Built in 1928, the multi-level hillside house has been updated to a contemporary style with walls of glass that take in city views.
The home features a media room, a gym, two fireplaces, four bedrooms and six bathrooms in more than 4,600 square feet of living space. There’s a swimming pool with a spa and a pool house.
Brown, 39, started with the Spice Girls in 1994 and half a dozen years later released her first solo album, “Hot.” She will be joining Simon Cowell as a judge on the British competition show “The X Factor.” She has been a judge on “America’s Got Talent” since last year.
Belafonte produced “Mel B: It’s a Scary World” (2010) for television. His film work includes “The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call — New Orleans” (2009) and “Mutant Chronicles” (2008).
The pair have bought and sold several Los Angeles-area homes in recent years.
This deal took place outside the Multiple Listing Service.
Jumping into the real estate game?
Josh Hutcherson of “The Hunger Games” films has bought a house in Studio City for $1.25 million.
The traditional-style house, built in 1935, was remodeled several years ago. Features include a vaulted beam ceiling in the living room and a fireplace in the dining room.
The tidy house has three bedrooms and two bathrooms in 1,506 square feet of living space.
The terraced yard includes a swimming pool and a brick patio.
Hutcherson’s next appearance as sweet-talking Peeta Mellark will be in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1,” due out in November.
The 21-year-old owns other property in the Los Angeles area. Two years ago he spent $2.5 million on a Hollywood Hills West house that has been owned by talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and the late actor Heath Ledger.
Lori Shelton of John Aaroe Group was the listing agent. Deedee Howard of the Agency represented Hutcherson.
Lyrics can’t describe Westwood penthouse
The penthouse of the late Academy Award-winning lyricist Hal David has come on the market in Westwood at $5.15 million.
Set atop a 22-story building along Wilshire Boulevard, the 4,150-square-foot, two-level unit features fireplaces in the living room and den, a kitchen with an island and a breakfast area, two terraces, a staircase, an in-unit elevator, three bedrooms and four bathrooms. A stand-alone bathtub takes in city views.
The building, constructed in 1982, has a swimming pool, a gym, a library, a 24-hour valet and concierge services.
David, who died two years ago at 91, partnered with composer Burt Bacharach and collaborated on such hits as “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” “This Guy’s in Love With You” and “Walk on By.” Dionne Warwick, the Carpenters and Tom Jones were among those who saw commercial success singing their songs.
His Oscar-winning works includes “What’s New Pussycat?,” “Alfie” and “The Look of Love.”
The pop lyricist bought the penthouse in 1991 for $1.75 million.
Jane Siegal and James Hancock of Coldwell Banker are the listing agents.
Her life will go on elsewhere
Actress Kellie Martin has her gated home in Studio City listed for $1.995 million.
The ranch-style house, built in 1946, sits on a cul-de-sac in the Fryman Canyon area.
The main house features a family room with a fireplace, a sun room, a breakfast nook, a den/office, three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.
There is a saltwater swimming pool, lawn, a large deck and a guesthouse with an additional bedroom and bathroom for a total of more than 4,000 square feet of living space.
Martin, 38, has had roles on television shows including “Army Wives” (2012), “ER” (1998-2000) and “Life Goes On” (1989-93). She stars in the TV movie “Mystery Woman” series.
Anita Rich of Keller Williams is the listing agent.
Psyched about remodel projects
Corbin Bernsen of “Psych” and Amanda Pays are cutting a swath of sorts through the Valley, buying tired homes and redoing them. Their latest reclamation project to reach the market is in Sherman Oaks and priced at $1.299 million.
Bernsen and Pays, an interior designer and actress, often tackle older homes. This renovated single-story was built in 1961.
Olive trees, lavender and a decomposed granite path lead to the front door of the house. Inside are gray-tone wood floors, muted paint hues and reclaimed wood barn door accents. There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Bernsen, 59, became known for the role of suave lawyer Arnie Becker on “L.A. Law” (1986-94). More recently, he has been on “The Young and the Restless,” “The Glades” and “Psych,” which finished its eight-season run in March.
Pays, 55, has been on “The Flash” (1990-91), “Nip/Tuck” (2006) and “Psych” (2008).
They bought the property in January for $730,000, public records show. Within two weeks of listing the contemporary ranch it was in escrow.
Kelly Sutherland of Coldwell Banker is the listing agent.
Room for friends along Malibu sand
Kevin Bright, the “Friends” producer, and his wife, Claudia, have put their Malibu showplace up for sale at $14 million or for summer lease at $75,000 a month.
Set on 80 feet of beachfront, the house is designed for indoor/outdoor living with walls of glass, a stone patio, a fire pit, barbecue areas and an infinity pool and spa.
The more than half an acre site has three structures that include an ocean-view master suite with an elevator, a media room, a recreation room and four additional bedroom suites. The white and light interiors give the place a beach-getaway vibe.
Bright’s producing and directing credits include the series “Friends” (1994-2004) and “Joey” (2004-06), among other shows. He is the founding director of Emerson College Los Angeles.
Ellen Francisco of Coldwell Banker is the listing agent.
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