It would appear that Canadian-born and New York City-based journalist and mega-rich Vice Media mogul Shane Smith plans to spend more time on the Left Coast where, we first heard from real estate yenta Yolanda Yakketyyak and later circumstantially confirmed with property records, he’s shelled out an eye-popping $23 million for a magnificent, multi-acre Mediterranean compound in Santa Monica. The 3.35-acre spread, known as Villa Ruchello, and featured in the film “Beverly Hills Cop” as well as the comedy series “Entourage,” was the long-time residence of artsy director Henry Jaglom and actress-writer Victoria Foyt, who acquired the posh property in 1994 for almost $3.2 million, and first put it on the open market around the time of their 2013 divorce, with an asking price of $29.5 million.
The multi-residence compound, behind a high hedge and antique iron driveway gates, comprises a total of 12 bedrooms and 12.5 bathrooms in around 14,000 square feet divided among an eight-bedroom main residence, a two-bedroom guesthouse and a separate two-bedroom gatehouse. The updated but carefully preserved 1932 mansion’s amply proportioned public rooms include a circular double-height foyer, formal living and dining rooms, and a paneled library, all with original architectural details that include inlaid floors, hand-painted and beamed ceilings, and carved-stone mantels. A family room overlooks the terraced and exuberantly landscaped property, and the upper-floor master suite provides dual bathrooms and dressing rooms. Set below the main residence, a cabana with bathroom stands next to a 72-foot-long swimming pool.
Property records show the Emmy-winning and famously profligate muckraker and entrepreneur, whom Forbes estimated in 2013 was worth $400 million, and who dropped $300,000 on dinner for a couple of dozen people at a Las Vegas steakhouse earlier this year, also owns a couple of apartments in a topnotch building in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood.
Listing photos: The Agency
