Author Dennis Lehane Drops Millions on Nearly New Modern Farmhouse

For a little over three years now, Dennis Lehane‘s home base has been a custom Mediterranean-style residence in the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles. Now the prolific novelist, screenwriter and showrunner — best known for the movies and TV shows “The Wire,” “Mystic River” and “Shutter Island” — has boosted his property portfolio, having picked up the deed to nearly new modern farmhouse-style digs in Venice.

Records show Lehane paid $7.5 million for his new place, or around $500,000 less than the original asking price. Built in 2019 and designed by Hamilton Architects, the multi-story structure is tucked away behind walls and gates, on a quarter-acre parcel of land, and has five bedrooms and six baths in just over 7,000 square feet of L-shaped living space boasting rustic hardwood floors, soaring ceilings and designer lighting throughout. There’s also a separate guesthouse, plus a detached three-car garage and roof terrace.

Highlights include a double-height foyer displaying a striking architectural staircase, which flows to an expansive great room spotlighted by a fireside living room sporting floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open to the central outdoor space. A family room connects to the gourmet kitchen, which is outfitted with a full suite of Viking appliances and an accompanying dining area; and elsewhere in the house is a sumptuous master retreat holding a stone-clad fireplace, private balcony, walk-in closet, and luxe bath with dual vanities, a spa tub and shower.

Primed for entertaining, the basement level is decked out with a movie theater, wine cellar, billiards room and gym; and outdoors, the backyard hosts a pool and spa surrounded by a wood deck and grassy sunbathing area flanked by a built-in barbecue.

On the heels of the Golden Globe-winning series “Black Bird,” a prison drama that he helped create, Lehane recently struck an exclusive overall deal with Apple Studios and his production company Hans Bubby to develop and produce a slate of original series for Apple TV+, including “Small Mercies” and the upcoming “Firebug.” The agreement also gives Apple a first-look for digital features.

As for his Mar Vista house, the Boston native bought that place back in spring 2020 for a speck under $2.4 million. Built in 2006, and sited in the prime Kentwood neighborhood, the three-story house features five bedrooms and five baths in almost 4,700 square feet.