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No Comments Vincent Gallo lists ‘Biscuit Lofts’ premiere penthouse
Actor/Director/Writer Vincent Gallo’s unbelievable downtown loft space is up for grabs! A truly one of a kind, 4-story 4,300 sqft. live/work space with private interior elevator, sandblasted brick, industrial-size windows, 1-inch thick maple flooring, stainless steel appliances, floating staircases, soaring ceilings and much more. Three outdoor private terraces totaling 3,100 sqft. with 360 degree views of the entire LA basin. Building has 75′ saline pool, 24-hour doorman, BBQ’s, gym and 3 parking spaces. Mills Act protected with property taxes cut by approx. 78% by recent assessment. ($7500/yr)
Price $2,599,000
Agent: Frank Bruno of Keller Williams Realty
800 E. La Verne Way – Palm Springs
2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,486 Sq. Ft. | $325,000
A. Quincy Jones Mid-Century Modern!
In 1965, renowned architect A. Quincy Jones re-imagined life in a desert oasis. Nestled against the stunning San Jacinto mountain range in South Palm Springs, the architecturally significant “Country Club Estates” offers a unique and special enclave of mid-century modern “condo-homes” that are a reminder of the city’s golden era.
With a private garage and separate access, 800 E. La Verne was the model unit for the development and rumored to be Jones’ favorite of the collection. Being an end-unit, there is only one shared wall. It is perched at a higher level than other units which allows for maximum privacy and views of the mountain ranges to the north and west. With little direct sun exposure into the main windows, curtains can be left open at all times, allowing for a perpetually enjoyable view and reduced utility expense.
The two bedroom, two bathroom unit has been updated with oak cabinetry, Italian Bizazza tile work, glass bowl sinks, modern kitchen appliances and stunning Terrazzo floors. The master bedroom has a newly constructed walk-in closet that would be the envy to many homes twice the size. The guest bedroom features a private entry and patio of its own, and access to the laundry room.
The center point of the home is the dazzling Atrium which drips with golden sunlight and allows for a private outdoor space for entertaining and dining. Three sides open to opposing rooms which convey the aire of openness and transparency, and allows views of the towering palms and mountains to reach straight back into the master bedroom. A delight for the senses to say the least.
Off the living room lies a large open patio and grassy yard. Plenty of room for lounge chairs, barbeque, and a dining table which makes for additional living & entertaining space in the fabulous year-round climate. Since the outdoor space is maintained by the homeowners association, the unit can easily be used as a second-home or weekend getaway. Just lock the door and go.
The sprawling development on fee land (you own it) offers charming walk-ways and park-like grounds with fields of grass, a rarity in any desert setting. The scintillating pool is perfectly situated facing the mountain range so you can gaze upon the awesome beauty of nature, as you relax by the morning sun. As evening sets, only the effervescent bubbles of the over-sized spa can rival the bubbles in your glass, as you toast to the good life that exclusively occurs in the splendor of the California desert.
1064 S. Shenandoah #303 – Los Angeles
2 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 1,351 Sq. Ft. | $449,000
Updated Penthouse with Loft!
UPGRADED PENTHOUSE!! This gorgeous penthouse has 20 ft high ceilings with great natural lighting. Kitchen with granite counter tops,stainless steel appliances, and porcelain tiled flooring. Living room & bedrooms both have light hardwood floors, bathrooms have also been upgraded. Upstairs there is BONUS LOFT which has a partial view of Hollywood Hills. Laundry inside, roof access and a balcony off the living room. 2 Tandem parking spots. Clean and bright and ready to call home! SHORT SALE.
Los Angeles Real Estate Recovering?
Happy Fall!
The statistics for the 3rd quarter are out and there is some interesting news to report! I have attached two charts that compare SALES VOLUME and MEDIAN PRICE in Los Angeles compared to 3rd quarter of 2010.
In some areas sales volume has increased as much as +193% while other areas have cooled down by 53%. All areas averaged a +10.54% increase. See below to check out your specific area.
Median prices have increased in some areas as much as +34% and decreased as low as -20% (with the exception of Malibu Beach which dropped 60% – A beach home is now only $20 million now, yeah!) The average median price for all areas increased +1.17%. See chart below for more details.
What does all this mean? Well from my personal experience I can tell you that properties are selling if within the range that buyers feel is appropriate value. Sales volume increased in certain areas because prices dropped and buyers see value. Median prices are increasing because we have seen sustainable drops in some areas, and the market is correcting itself because the demand is there. Many people are taking advantage of the HISTORIC low rates and either moving up or buying investment properties. I have seen investors buying homes, fixing and flipping again. That is a good sign for recovery in the market.
I just sold an income property that was a RECORD BREAKING SALE. The highest selling Triplex in ALL OF METRO LA since 2007 (height of the market), and the highest selling Triplex in Hancock Park since 2006. Appraisers and Realtors are chomping at the bit to use this as a sales comparable It has helped many other sales in the area.
Have a great Thanksgiving Holiday!
Regards,
Frank Bruno
310-623-1425
Home prices inching back up
U.S. home prices inched up for the fourth month in a row, rising 0.9 percent from June to July, according to the latest Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices.
8562 West Knoll Dr. #11 – West Hollywood
2 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 1,215 Sq. Ft. | $569,000
West Hollywood 4-Level Townhome!
West Hollywood is one of the most vibrant cities in the entire nation. Founded in 1984, “Weho” has become the LA hotspot for restaurants, shopping and it’s glamorous nightlife. Located dead center in this fabulous city lies 8562 West Knoll Dr. - La Villa de Torre.
Situated on a charming bluff directly above Santa Monica Blvd., this 4-level condominium is seconds away from the best that West Hollywood has to offer. Wake up and stroll down to Starbucks for your morning coffee or across the street to the gym. Perhaps you would like to have a healthy lunch at Koo-Koo Roo or pick up a snack at Trader Joes? All within walking distance. Yogurt, tanning, floral shops, bars, fine-dining and even the world famous Sunset Plaza are all at your disposal without even needing to find a parking spot. You do not get much better than this.
Once you enter the gated courtyard of this Mediterranean styled complex, you feel as if you are transported to a hillside Italian village. Taoromina, Sicily perhaps? As you pass dozens of potted trees and flowers you arrive at the private back-corner unit #11. When entering the unit you immediately notice the 2-story living room with dual balconies and romantic fireplace. Architecturally stunning, you realize this is not a typical condo. The kitchen features beautiful granite counters, white appliances and plenty of cabinet space.
Down one level lies the sleeping quarters. Two side-by-side bedrooms each have their own bath. Once again balconies are in each bedroom which allow you to adorn them with potted plants and trees for a woodsy view.
Upstairs is a loft with office space and room for an extra daybed for lounging or guests. Gaze out the window and view the downtown skyline and the bustle of Santa Monica Blvd., all while remaining quiet and peaceful.
One of the most special parts of the unit is the private rooftop deck that overlooks the Century City skyline. Complete with a wet bar, it is the perfect place to entertain, reflect or catch some of Southern California’s famous golden rays.
Security is top notch, as you must enter a gated parking structure and then a private 2-car garage with direct access into the unit. Extra storage and a laundry room also lie at this level.
Whether you are looking for a place to call home or a ‘pied e terre’ in the middle of one of the hippest cities in the world, La Villa de Torre offers the best and most convenient way to enjoy it. A rare offering in a building that many deem to be one of the best finds in West Hollywood.
Is now the right time to buy? In LA … yes!
NEW YORK (Money) – My fiancé and I are saving up to buy a house in the not-too-distant future. We want to take advantage of the housing market, but he’s skeptical about whether this is the best time to buy. When do you think prices will go up? — S.R., Los Angeles
I can understand your fiancé’s reluctance given that house prices continue to weaken. The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index released last week showed that prices fell nationally in the first quarter of this year.
That’s the third quarter in a row prices have dropped, taking them back to mid-2002 levels. Meanwhile, at the end of March the monthly index that tracks 20 large metro areas dipped below its previous low of April 2009, essentially confirming a double-dip in home prices for much of the country.
As for your city, Los Angeles, the stats weren’t quite as bad as those of the 20-metro area index of which it’s a part. Prices in L.A. still remain about 5% above their trough of May 2009, although they fell again in March, the eighth month in a row.
LA Times Business Section article on Frank Bruno!
The gig: Frank Bruno has been the No. 1 real estate agent at the Keller Williams office in Hollywood Hills since 2006.
Bad timing, twice: Originally licensed in 1993, he ventured into real estate briefly during the previous housing bust. “I liked it, but it was the wrong timing for me,” said Bruno, who returned to the field in 2005, just in time for the most recent downturn. “Unfortunately, I missed the heyday of the real estate market.”
Fast start: Within two years, Bruno was No. 2 out of 80,000 Keller Williams solo agents nationwide.
READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE
8467 Brier Dr. – Hollywood Hills
5 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms | 5,500 Sq. Ft. | $3,295,000
Modern Contemporary Compound!
“Brier House”
Sometimes the line between dreams and reality blur. One moment you are tending your garden in the south of France. Thousands of pebbles churn beneath your feet, as you approach a fastidious Oak tree with glowing lamps swinging in the wind . The next moment you are floating in a sea of white cushions amongst the block and masonry walls of a Mid-Century lair. Candles throw distant shadows onto delicious art, creating nuances that play tricks with your mind. And in another instant, you feel the cool concrete beneath your feet, as you glide towards an antique claw-foot tub in the middle of an industrial warehouse.
“Where am I?”, you ask. As your conscious mind battles the persuasive insistence of the dream world, you realize… “I am home.”
Dreams, reality and architectural styles do blend, and they are combined in the airy compound known as “Brier House”. This contemporary masterpiece was completed in 2007 by architect Juan Felipe Goldstein. Featured in numerous shoots for TV, film and print, this 5000+ sqft. homage to modern architecture sits on a 13,410 sqft. flat pad. A private driveway descends to the hidden hillside gem with parking for 10 cars.
The residence consists of 5 bedrooms and 5 Baths, plus a fully functioning guest residence and office space. The main level features a covered walkway leading to the front entry. Glass doors open the entire room to the view of the manicured lawn and front gardens. A beautiful living room with walls of glass and light, beckon guests further into the home. Bleached oak floors, pitched wood ceilings and a stunning white-brick fireplace place complete the room.
The kitchen is every chefs dream. There is a large center island made with steatite counters. This magnesium-rich stone comes from areas where tectonic plates are subducted from heat and pressure, but not melted. Taking thousands of years to form, it is a strong durable surface. A farm sink and Miele dishwasher are in perfect alignment with the Viking stove and large Sub-Zero refrigerator. All aspects of the workplace are perfectly suited to assist in the gourmet preparation of the finest foods.
Directly off the kitchen a beautiful dining area opens to a spacious industrial style family room. All three rooms are in perfect harmony for cooking, entertaining and allowing family to gather. It is here where memories of life and family will be built, cherished and adorned.
Glass doors open to the back rock-garden where you are greeted by an ancient Buddah statue. Rub his belly for good luck, it will be sure to follow. Perfectly situated off the kitchen, guests will meander and cozy up to a roaring fire-pit while lights twinkle in the trees above.
The second level of the home houses the immense master suite. High ceilings, white oak floors and built-in book shelves add to the allure of the peaceful and functional space. Gaze across the room towards a glimmering tiled fireplace and antique chandelier, or out the picturesque windows framing a giant California oak. The master bath features an antique claw-foot tub, horizontal skylights, Anne Sacks tile work and an immense shower saturated in light.
The third level allows for a functional office that is separated from the main residence. Perfect for situations where workers need to enter the home, but allowing privacy at the same time.
“Brier House” is one of the most unique properties to ever dot the fabled Hollywood Hills. Inspired by art, every room is testament that man shall conceive and create. As you retreat to your daily paradise, lay your head gently down upon a pillow, close your eyes, and awaken to a world that you could have only once imagined.
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