west hollywood

Sunset Strip Shines at 9200 Sunset

I've often described Los Angeles as a city in search of its center. Downtown Los Angeles with its cluster of skyscrapers is slowly undergoing a resurgence (the L.A. Live complex is helping that along) but it could be argued that the Sunset Strip is really the heart of what the city represents. The section of Sunset Boulevard between Beverly Hills and Hollywood has been getting a lot of love lately. A recent initiative has installed larger-than-life guitars designed by celebrities in front of buildings along the street. The Strip has also been the site of several concerts this summer at various venues like the Roxy being filmed for an upcoming documentary on the Sunset Strip music scene.

But there's more than music going on here. There's also serious business and serious money on the scene. I stopped by the other day to check out one of the hottest commercial buildings in the area, 9200 Sunset. The building is a Sunset Strip classic, 9200 Sunset's three-story 50,000 square-foot office building was built in 1964 and the 14-story high rise was built in the early 1970s both by renowned American architect Charles Luckman. Luckman is a fascinating figure, not just an architect but a business man who was named the president of the Pepsodent toothpaste company in 1939 at the tender age of thirty and later became the president of Lever Brothers. After helping to plan the Lever Brothers' New York skyscraper, Lever House, he rediscovered his childhood love of architecture, resigned the presidency of Lever Brothers, moved to Los Angeles and began a second career in architecture. Luckman's firm went on to design the Prudential Tower in Boston, Madison Square Garden in New York City and the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston.

Tags: 9200 sunset, sunset strip, west hollywood, west hollywood real estate

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Chamberlain West Hollywood, A Stylish 1980s Redux

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Too often boutique can mean boring but that isn't the case at the Chamberlain in West Hollywood, California. The 114-room property, part of the Viceroy Hotel Group's premier Urban Retreats portfolio, is in the midst of a design renovation set for completion this summer. The hotel's redesign is its first since its opening in 2005 and encompasses a remodel of all guestrooms, suites, bathrooms, and the roof-top outdoor pool deck, which offers views of the Hollywood Hills, city skyline, and Pacific Ocean. The new aesthetic vision is a modern-day interpretation of 1970s and 1980s-era glamour with a use of graphic patterns like grids, checkerboards and chevrons to add interest.

Tags: boutique hotel, california, los angeles hotels, luxury hotel, viceroy, viceroy hotel, west hollywood

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Sole inspiration: Christian Louboutin to Sign Shoes at his New Hollywood Boutique

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Celebrity Shopping, Shoes

Image Courtesy of Christian Louboutin Public Relations

Hollywood A-listers and fashion-forward femmes alike have long loved the iconic red sole of Christian Louboutin's heels. But only as of late last year have Hollywood residents been able to peruse his shoes in the way they were meant to be seen - in the boutique home of Louboutin. The 1800-square-foot shop, opened in September 2009, is located on one of West Hollywood's trendiest streets and housed in a historic 1930s building next to the Hollywood Foreign Press Office.

On April 28th, Mr. Loubotuin himself will visit the store to sign his "sole" away to any shopper willing to put down the plastic for a pair. Enjoy champagne and shoe talk from 4 to 7 pm. We'd suggest reserving your favorite style early - the best sizes will sell out fast!

650 North Robertson Boulevard. West Hollywood. 310.247.9300. www.christianlouboutin.com.

Tags: Christian Louboutin, christian louboutin shoe signing, christian louboutin shoes, events, shopping, west hollywood

Christina Aguilera Drops The Price On Her Hollywood Home

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

We've been tracking this one for a while. Christina Aguilera has been struggling to sell her home in the Hollywood Hills for several years. Aguilera first put her architecturally splendid West Hollywood home in April 2008 after she and her husband bought the Beverly Hills home of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne. The four-bedroom home was listed for $7.995 million but then in October 2008 she cut a quick million off the property reducing it to $6.995 million. It popped off the MLS for a while but the LA Times Hot Property column reports that the property is back with a low price of $6.25 million. Aguilera bought the home in 2003 for $5 million from Steve Hermann who gave the home its gorgeous remodel. The home includes a sumptuous theater room, shiny stainless steel kitchen, beautiful pool area and great space for entertaining. The 1,200-square-foot master bedroom suite has a marble bathroom that includes a tub with a view. The listing is with Hilton & Hyland.

Gallery: Christina Aguilera in West Hollywood

Tags: celebrity real estate, celebrity real estate losers, CelebrityRealEstate, CelebrityRealEstateLosers, Christina Aguilera, ChristinaAguilera, hollywood history, HollywoodHistory, west hollywood, WestHollywood

Kim Kardashian Lists Los Angeles Condo

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

The Real Estalker's commenters were a bit harsh on it but I don't think the Los Angeles condo reality star Kim Kardashian has put on the market is all that bad. The curvy brunette has a three-bedroom apartment in West Hollywood which has been decorated with an eye toward movie-star glamour. Whether or not it achieves that goal is in the eye of the beholder. The decorator didn't have a lot to work with, the nondescript beige apartment is 1,750 square feet and in a small faux Tuscan building near Robertson Blvd. It's been enlivened with decor that includes a giant gilded wood panel and zebra-print pillows in the living room. The bedrooms feature crystal chandeliers, mirrored furniture and tufted headboards. There are several glamour shots of Kardashian around the apartment including a Marilyn-Monroe-like shot poised above the toilet in the black-and-white wallpapered guest bathroom. This apartment is listed at $1.099 million.

The main Jenner-Kardashian home in Hidden Hills, California is still listed for sale at $3.195 million.

Gallery: Kim Kardashian In Los Angeles

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Tags: celebrity real estate, CelebrityRealEstate, kim kardashian, KimKardashian, los angeles, LosAngeles, west hollywood, WestHollywood

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Christina Aguilera In West Hollywood, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Like her former rival in pop princessdom, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera isn't having the easiest time selling her home. Aguilera first put her architecturally splendid West Hollywood home on the market in April after she and her husband bought the Beverly Hills home of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne. The four-bedroom home was listed for $7.995 million but so far no takers and so as the Real Estalker reports, she has cut a quick million off the property reducing it to $6.995 million. There's much to love here, a sumptuous theater room, shiny stainless steel kitchen, beautiful pool area and great space for entertaining. However the home is not family friendly which may be why she is selling and why the home is lingering on the market.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Christina Aguilera in West Hollywood

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The Bader House, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

I've got a ton of pictures on this one but it's worth it. The Bader House is billed as the ultimate bachelor house and indeed, I think just about anyone would swoon if invited inside. This home is the ultimate in modern design and Hollywood glam. Located in the hills in West Hollywood and perched above the Sunset Strip, this one has all sorts of features designed to tempt. The floor-to-ceiling walls of glass show off sparkling nighttime views. Super sexy architectural details includes a parking spot in the living room, a mechanical dining room table, and a sensuous fire elevating from an open pit. The home has just two bedrooms but it does have a home theater and a gourmet kitchen. At $5.995 million, it could make some Hollywood lothario and his Porsche very happy.

For more prime properties and lush locations, see Luxury Homes and Mansions.

Gallery: The Bader House

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Soccer in the Hills, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

I love the Hilton & Hyland listings because there area always so many pictures to let you really get a comprehensive look at the place. Today's home belongs to L.A. Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit. The former soccer star has listed his home in the Hollywood Hills for $4.25 million. This one, built in 1937, has a lot of charm. It's located on a private knoll in West Hollywood and is positioned for lovely views of the city below. It has a step-down living room with a wood-burning fireplace that opens to an outdoor pool and spa area which has a covered lounging cabana at the opposite end of the pool. The home has been remodeled with a new kitchen and a beautiful master bedroom suite with a steam shower, sunken bathtub and French doors that open onto a balcony overlooking the city. There are four bedrooms and five bathrooms total in this home. I suspect this one will go quickly, it's absolutely move-in ready.

[via LA Times Hot Property]

For more prime properties and lush locations, see Luxury Homes and Mansions.

Gallery: Soccer in the Hills

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Ryan Murphy's Midcentury Modern, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Writer Ryan Murphy created two shows which take a slant look at the focus on appearance, the plastic surgery drama "Nip/Tuck" and the underrated high school dark comedy "Popular" as well as writing the screenplay and directing the 2006 movie "Running With Scissors." This talented man has some lovely taste in real estate. The Real Estalker Mama reports that he bought the home in the hills above West Hollywood in 2001 which has been restored into a modern beauty. The home is tucked in a woodsy lot with plenty of privacy. The home, which was designed by modernist architect Carl Maston has big glass walls, concrete floors, and gleaming wood.

At 3,210 square feet the home might be a little small by Los Angeles mansion standards and some of the smaller rooms seem a little dark but overall it's a rather perfectly decorated with furniture that fits the era of the home. Like the Real Estalker Mama, I don't love the use of a urinal in a home bathroom and the kitchen seems like a tough place to cook dinner with more than one person. Small quibbles on a truly charming residence. It is listed at $4.195 million.

Gallery: Ryan Murphy's Midcentury Modern

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Tables of Ten: Dining for a Cause in West Hollywood

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Events, Charity

Tables of Ten:Dining for a Cause is a unique fundraiser held by the Avenues of Art & Design and Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, CA on May 30. Designers, showrooms, restaurateurs and chefs set up tables on the outdoor plaza of the Pacific Design Center. Each chef creates unique cuisine for one table and each table is outfitted in extravagant design from distinguished designers and showrooms. This year's chefs include: Ben Ford of Ford's Filling Station, David Schanhals from The Palm West Hollywood, Javier Plascencia of Romesco, Yoshinura Kojima and Wolfgang Puck from Red Seven by Wolfgang Puck, Michael Bryant, David LeFevre of Water Grill, Kerry Simon from Simon L.A., Evan Kleiman with Café Angeli, Crustacean Beverly Hills, and Antonia Lofaso of SBE's Foxtail (and contestant on BRAVO TV's hit show "Top Chef"). Designers for the tables include Willard Ford of Ford/Brady, Leslie Frankenheimer for Architectural Digest, FIDM: Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Hutton Wilkinson for Baker Furniture, Daniel Vandenbark for Dezine, Inc., Brooke Ziccardi, Michael Berman, Tracy Murdock, Karen Brady for RL Homes, and Inner-City Arts, featuring tables decorated by the children. Proceeds from Tables of Ten will benefit Inner-City Arts and kicks off the Avenues of Art & Design's 11th Annual Art & Design Walk. on May 31. The Art and Design Walk is a free event from 4 PM to 8 PM along West Hollywood's Melrose Avenue, Robertson and Beverly Boulevards. Over 300 fashion boutiques, design/furniture showrooms, fine art/antique galleries and restaurants will open their doors to guests offering special reception, food and entertainment.

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Rachel Zoe's West Hollywood Home, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Today's estate, first found by the Real Estalker, brings us inside the home of infamous stylist Rachel Zoe. The very slim and very tan Ms. Zoe became a tabloid staple for draping young fashionistas like Mischa Barton and Nicole Richie in long dresses cut to hang off angular collarbones. Rumors of Ms. Zoe's thinness agenda are rampant and when she and Nicole Richie famously parted ways, Richie made references to "Raisin Face," a veiled jab at Zoe's prematurely wrinkled countenance.

The home that Rachel Zoe and her investment banker hubby Rodger Berman own in West Hollywood is a bit small and sexy too. Zoe, who recently published her style tome, A to Zoe, must be looking for a bit more space. The home is two bedrooms and just 2,545 square feet (positively dainty by Hollywood standards). The remodeled mid century home has a plunge pool and spa. The pair bought the home in 2001 for $914,090. key features of the home include walnut floors, a large master suite, a covered dining area in the back yard with a fire pit, and an office/den. The kitchen is a bit blah but this probably wasn't a concern of Ms. Zoe's. As the Real Estalker Mama notes this is a starter home, albeit a pretty swanky one at $2,995,000.

Gallery: Rachel Zoe's West Hollywood Home