If you’re a fledgling actor or singer trying to jumpstart your career — and you have a pleasantly plump bank account to support your endeavors — you just might want to check out these three historic condo buildings, all of which have units that recently popped up for rent and/or sale. All of them have seen the likes of Bette Davis, Nicole Kidman, Taylor Swift and many more; a-list stars once called these lauded addresses home at different points during their careers. The story’s gist: Never underestimate the power of the proper address, and always hope some of that magic pixie dust might be left behind!
The Colonial House
1416 Havenhurst Drive, West Hollywood
Also known as “The Bette Davis Building” (the legendary actress lived there until her death in 1989, and her name remains etched on the brass mailbox plate for Apt. 4B), this historic Grand Dame has served as home base to a legion of other previous and current luminaries as well. Think Frances Marion, Clark Gable, Eddie Cantor, and more recently, Hugh Grant, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jennifer Lopez, Jodie Foster, Julia Roberts and Katy Perry, who reportedly moved into the property shortly after her split with Russell Brand.
Designed by architect Leland A. Bryant — known for his striking residential projects like Sunset Tower, another star magnet — the Colonial Revival-style structure was built in 1930 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At seven stories, it has 21 condo units ranging in size from 780 to 2,274 square feet.
“This building is steeped in Hollywood history and has been so inspirational for so many,” says Rory Barish of Lane Four Real Estate-Keller Williams Beverly Hills. “It is a great environment to create, rehearse and write. Instead of staying at a large, flashy condominium complex where there are so many comings and goings, here it is quiet and everybody is discreet.
“You can go unnoticed if you want to,” she adds. “Nobody gawks, and you don’t have unwanted visitors, guests and paparazzi. However, if you want to walk to all of the hotspots on the Sunset Strip, it is right there and it is a very central location to the studios.”
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Image Credit: Rory Barish Now, in an occurrence that doesn’t happen frequently, there is a beautifully restored three-bedroom, three-bathroom condo (3B) available in the controlled-access structure.
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Image Credit: Rory Barish “When people have remodeled or upgraded, most have kept in character with the building’s era,” says Barish, who also represents a couple of other listings in the building, including 1D and 1E for $1.295 million and $11,000 per month, respectively. “Plans must be submitted and approved by the board before any remodels are done, and its members strive to keep the structural and architectural integrity of the building intact.”
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Image Credit: Rory Barish The 1,771-square-foot unit is up for grabs for $2.395 million (or $11,000 per month), complete with soaring ceilings, hardwood flooring, crown molding, vintage tile, a wood-burning fireplace and stunning views. Also included: an alluring kitchen outfitted with top-tier appliances, formal dining room and glamorous master suite with an en-suite bath. Residents also have access to a doorman, pool, library and lovely gardens.
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman London Terrace Towers
410 West 24th St., Manhattan, N.Y.The resident profile at this 19-story, 702-unit building situated on a quaint, tree-lined street in the center of New York’s Chelsea Historic District reads like a who’s who of artists, art gallery owners, art dealers, musicians, authors, playwrights, film and Broadway producers, actors and fashion icons, just to name a few.
Among those who have graced the pre-war doorman co-op with their presence: Chelsea Clinton, Tim Gunn, Bill Hader, Debbie Harry, Chris Kattan, Annie Leibovitz, Nicole Kidman and Bridget Moynahan. And with focal points like its show-stopping pool bedecked in the original 1920’s hand-painted porcelain tiles, forged iron railings and spectacular viewing gallery (which made a memorable cameo appearance in the “School Ties” episode of “Gossip Girl”), it’s no wonder this iconic building is such an in-demand destination.
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman Designed by New York architecture firm Farrar & Watmough, and built by local developer Henry Mandel in 1932, the building narrowly escaped the wrecking ball after the 1929 Great Depression, but has since gone on to become a thriving residential community.
Among the current spots up for sale there is Residence 8BCDE at 465 W. 23rd St., listed by Resident Broker Specialist Bruce Wayne Solomon. Priced at $3.85 million, and offering 2,600 square feet of living space, the four-bedroom, three-bath dwelling includes an $8,434 monthly maintenance fee.
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman Several spaces have been reimagined into one to create this spatial abode resting in the southwest corner tower (one of four corner buildings that make up London Terrace), which affords cityscape and water views through walls of double thermos-pane casement windows.
Just some of the standout features: an abundance of art walls; a gourmet kitchen with a breakfast bar and high-end appliances; and sizable master retreat with three walk-in closets and a luxe spa-inspired bath clad in wood, stone, glass and porcelain.
As for the amenities, the new owner can expect access to that world-renowned pool, as well as a fitness center, 24-hour attended lobby, and landscaped rooftop terrace overlooking some of downtown Manhattan’s most famous landmark buildings, the New Jersey skyline and Hudson River.
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Image Credit: Compass The Adelicia
900 20th Avenue South, Nashville, Tenn.While singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has racked up an impressive portfolio of mansions and penthouses from Beverly Hills to New York City through the years, she purchased her starter home at this luxury condo building in the heart of Nashville’s Music Row neighborhood in 2009 at age 20 for nearly $2 million.
Coming in at 3,240 square feet, Swift’s corner penthouse sported a trio of bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, along with skyline views via floor-to-ceiling walls of windows, and access to amenities like an Olympic-sized lap pool and a fitness center.
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Image Credit: Compass Want to purchase a similar unit today? It’ll cost you upward of $3 million and come with less square footage, but still offer the same stellar vistas and creature comforts.
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Image Credit: Compass Currently on the market at The Adelecia — and touted in the listing as the “absolute best penthouse in Nashville” — this contemporary three-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom penthouse (Unit 1707) listed by Michelle Maldonado of Compass features 2,905 square feet of fully revamped and furnished living space on two levels, replete with Carrara marble, soaring ceilings, and bespoke furniture, draperies and artwork throughout.
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Image Credit: Compass There’s also jaw-dropping midtown, downtown and sunset views, as well as private penthouse-level parking and a storage unit for all of those musical instruments you’ll no doubt be bringing along.