CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Leo Trades in Pacific Coast View, Lowers Carbon Footprint

casasugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:00:25 -0800

Leonardo has finally closed on the eco-friendly Battery Bark Condo that he went to contract to purchase back in April, paying nearly $3.7 million. But, ever the environmental advocate, DiCaprio isn't swooping up energy-hogging properties left and right. He's made room for this purchase in his real estate portfolio and his wallet by putting his 2,374-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath midcentury oceanfront Malibu home on the market for nearly $9 million.
DiCaprio can gaze at the Hudson River through the energy-efficient triple-layered windows at Riverhouse, one of the greenest residential buildings in America. DiCaprio's new apartment building exceeds Gold LEED certification, using solar-powered energy and built with only nonpollutant materials. Among its other eco features are programmable thermostats, filtered air, filtered water, locally quarried bluestone, recovered barn wood, low- or no-VOC adhesives, paints and carpeting, and recycled, salvaged, and biodegradable materials. There's no word on the exact square footage of Leo's new pad, but a listing for a similarly priced Riverhouse property measures in at 1,985-square-feet, with 3 bedrooms and 4 baths.

To see more photos of both properties and hear about his Malibu digs,

Justin Timberlake Takes Tribeca

casasugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:00:58 -0800

Justin Timberlake wasn't kidding around when he said Manhattan is the greatest city in the world. He's such a great admirer of the city that he decided to buy his own little slice of the Big Apple. According to Real Estalker, Timberlake recently purchased a 3,000-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bath loft home in Tribeca for $4.774 million. The listing for the property reads:

This 3 bedroom, 3 bath room loft home offers gracious entertaining space in the extravagantly oversized living area as well as four exposures, 14 floor-to-ceiling arched windows, fabulous river views and completed with a brand new lighting package and built in Sonos sound system featuring inclusive Lutron technology controlling temperature, lights, sound, shades and more. This Tribeca Condo is adorned with the highest quality finishes and appliances including Wolf cooktop w/ grill and Wolf double wall oven, 48" Sub-Zero fridge and wine cooler, Miele DW, Miele W/D. Truly a unique TriBeCa residence.

JT's new pad sits a block from the Hudson River Park which will soon boast a mini golf course, so you can bet he'll be brushing up on his golf skills — even though he finds the game easy. To see more photos of the digs,

Christina Aguilera Takes Her Price Tag Down a Note

casasugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:44:35 -0800

Back in April, I let you know that Christina Aguilera and husband Jordan Bratman were preparing to ditch their Steve Hermann-designed Hollywood Hills digs, if a doting buyer were willing to part with a cool $8 million. Well, according to Real Estalker, the couple has flown the coop, but are still sitting on the unsold property. While they've moved into the Osbournes' former abode, their Hermann-designed home, like many houses around the country, remains unsold. So, the couple has decided to chop a little over one million smackers off the asking price, bringing it down to $6.9 million. Ouch, right? Well, actually Aguilera paid $5 million for the property back in '03, so she'll still be making a nice couple mil. on the property — if it sells at this price. And the price was likely inflated to begin with, considering its couture Steve Hermann label. Check out more details and lots of photos of the digs in my previous post.
Source

On the Market: Former Estate of Brooke Astor

casasugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:30:11 -0800

The former New York State estate of Brooke Astor, a beloved American philanthropist and socialite who passed away last year, is on the market for a whopping $12.9 million, according to Real Estalker. The sprawling 1927 stone mansion, designed by architect William Adams Delano, measures in at 10,000 square feet, with 13 bedrooms and 9 full and two half bathrooms. The property description reads:

At the heart of this bucolic 64.60 acre haven, the 1927 stone manor designed by prominent architect William Delano embodies the quiet elegance of a classic English country house. There are 6 marble fireplace and 13 bedrooms, including staff quarters...Indoor and outdoor pools are featured along with extensive dependencies including a greenhouse, 4-bedroom gardener's cottage, carriage house and barn.

You can read about another historic Astor family home in my recent Before and After. To see more photos of Briarcliff Manor,

Match the Living Room to the Celebrity!

casasugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:00:38 -0800

Shown here are the living rooms of four celebrities. Can you tell me which celeb lays claim to each room?

Coveted Crib: Tom Wolfe's Artsy Apartment

casasugar — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 05:30:29 -0800

Tom Wolfe, author of The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, The Right Stuff, and numerous other fiction and non-fiction books, is a best-selling American author and one of the founders of the New Journalism movement. Immediately recognizable for his trademark white suit, of which he owns 40, and which he has worn for over 40 years, Wolfe's apartment is also instantly identifiable. Thanks to the numerous Wolfe portraits and sculptures scattered around his abode, this apartment is as trademarked as the man and his writing style. To tour his art-filled apartment, check out the slideshow. Source

This Just In: Hayden Panettiere Buys a House to Cheer About

casasugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Hayden Panettiere, better known as Claire Bennet the cheerleader who cannot die on NBC's Heroes, has taken time out from saving the whales to drop $2.635 million on a house in Los Angeles, according to Real Estalker.

The teenage Panettiere, who'll turn 20 next year, has room to grow in the 3,120-square-foot, three-bedroom, thee-bath house, which was constructed in 1962. The house, which is definitely modern in look and feel, features floor-to-ceiling windows, an open, loft-style layout, a newly renovated kitchen, a swimming pool, a stone fireplace, and a large deck, perfect for entertaining (or throwing huge parties).

To see interior photos of the house,

This Just In: Nicolas Cage Folds

casasugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:30:34 -0800

Serial real estate snatcher Nicolas Cage has listed his 45-acre undeveloped property in the Exuma Island Chain of the Bahamas for $7 million, according to Real Estalker. The property description reads:

This exceptional private island is quite simply one of the most beautiful islands in the Exumas. Easily accessed, the island is located between Lee Stocking Island and Norman’s Pond Cay and near to all amenities. This splendid 45-acre island enjoys beautiful beaches on the northeast side, a sandy beach with a well-protected cove on the western tip, and glistening crystalline waters. Excellent fishing and sheltered anchorage.

I don't know what the heck is going on with Cage's financial situation, but something is up. Cage has listed four properties since July alone, this one making the total five. Considering that Bangkok Dangerous's meek earnings barely cover the cost of this property, maybe Cage's hairline isn't the only thing that's receding.
Source

On the Market: Jade Jagger's Swank London Pad

casasugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:00:31 -0800

Jade Jagger, jewelry designer and daughter of Mick & Bianca Jagger, has put her 1,989-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath Queens Park, London home on the market for $2.4 million. The listing for the property reads:

This stunning three bedroom house provides exceptionally well presented living and entertaining space, well arranged over two spacious floors and boasts a fabulous location, moments from the beautiful open spaces of Queen's Park. Offering lavish, extremely well presented accommodation throughout, the property comprises fabulous reception and dining room, convenient eat-in kitchen opening onto garden, master bedroom with incredible en suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe, two further generous bedrooms, glamorous bathroom with mosaic mirror wall and ceiling tiles and charming private garden to the rear.

To hear my thoughts on the house and see many more photos,

This Just In: Meg Ryan Publicly Lists Her Bel-Air Home

casasugar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:28:17 -0700

Meg Ryan has publicly listed her six-bedroom, seven-bath Bel-Air home for the tune of $19.5 million, according to Big Time. The property has been informally on the market as a "pocket listing" for some time, and has been shown to a slew of celebs including the Beckhams and Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, but the price was never right. The listing for the Holmby Hills-area Spanish-style compound reads:

Truly enchanting and romantic. A gated and private drive is the approach to this 1931 restored Spanish compound. Features include: double story stenciled beamed LR, a bar "a la" 1930's Los Angeles, Frml DR and superb Cook's kitchen; All rooms open to and overlook the 180o vu of the city. Incredibly pvt knoll setting with Pool and full GH. Family/Guest BRs have en suite baths & Mstr is separate and Exquisite! A Screening room w/separate entrance.

I'm dying to see the interior, but unfortunately there are no photos. The exterior is breathtaking though, and looks straight out of a scene from Under the Tuscan Sun (come on, you all know you loved it). Check out more exterior photos when you