Leonardo DiCaprio Hosts Star-Studded 50th Birthday Party Inside Walmart Heiress’ Lavish L.A. Estate (and Sparks Fury From Neighbors)
Getty Images/Google MapsLeonardo DiCaprio marked his milestone 50th birthday in true Hollywood fashion, by throwing a glamorous (and by all accounts) raucous party that was reportedly held at the ultraexclusive estate of a Walmart heiress, whose home is nestled in one of the most sought-after areas in Los Angeles.The party on Saturday was attended by dozens of A-list stars, from Paris Hilton and Katy Perry to Brad Pitt and Al Pacino, with sources claiming that the party took place in two homes that make up a sprawling compound owned by heiress Sybil Robson Orr and her husband, Matthew Orr.According to Page Six, the evening began with a dinner “catered by Nobu,” which Us Weekly claims was attended by the actor’s innermost circle. Then, the party moved to the second property on the estate, where it was opened to a wider group of celebrity guests, who are said to have danced until the early hours of the morning.However, while DiCaprio’s guests were having a ball, residents in the neighborhood where the party took place were up in arms over the disruption to their evening, due to the swarms of photographers, security, and large SUVs that ferried the stars to and from the venue.A video obtained by Fox News showed furious neighbors arguing with the valet and other staff at the event, which Us Weekly reported was held at the Orr residence.The estate, which is near a Hollywood Hills compound owned by the movie star, sits on a primo promontory called The Crown. The incredibly exclusive enclave holds just three properties, two of which are understood to be owned by the Orrs.Leonardo DiCaprio celebrated his 50th birthday by throwing a star-studded bash at a private Los Angeles estate.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicThe party was attended by a huge number of celebrities, including Cara Delevingne, Brad Pitt, and Katy Perry.Instagram; Getty ImagesParty padsSybil Robson Orr is the niece of Walmart founder Sam Walton, and herself a founder of Robson Orr Entertainment. She and her husband have long been reported to own two of the three homes on The Crown, which offers “unimpeded panoramic canyon, city and ocean views.”According to multiple outlets, the couple picked up a six-bedroom, 9,691-square-foot Mediterranean mansion on an acre for $19.5 million in 2010 from Russian heiress Daria Zhukova.Then, in 2012, they were reported to have snapped up the adjoining five-bedroom, 7,043-square-foot property on 0.67 acres for $17 million, purchasing the home—which was once owned by Lionel Richie—from real estate investor Grant Cardone.At the time, Curbed LA reported that the couple, after plunking down a total of $36.5 million, planned to raze the two homes, “take out the swimming pool and tennis court on the smaller property, and reroute the driveway,” and build a new compound in their place.Property records indicate that both properties in question were purchased through a trust.Star-studded eventAs for the extravagant affair on Saturday night, the festivities reportedly raged on until 4 a.m. the next day, with a dinner for DiCaprio’s parents and close-knit crew at one house, where waiters served a spread from upscale sushi restaurant Nobu.Then, the party moved next door, where multiple celebrities are understood to have joined the festivities after attending the annual Baby2Baby Gala in L.A.Not even outside ire could spoil the evening for the birthday boy, however.“Leo was so sweet and happy all night,” a partygoer told Us Weekly. “He was smiling the whole time.”Security was understood to have been of the utmost importance to the famously private actor, who reportedly had every guest cover their phone camera with a sticker to ensure that no unauthorized images or video leaked from inside, according to Page Six.The party was reportedly held at a sprawling Los Angeles estate owned by Walmart heiress Sybil Robson Orr and her husband, Matthew Orr.Google MapsThe Orrs are understood to have paid more than $3o million to buy up two properties inside an exclusive L.A. enclave known as The Crown.Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for LACMABirthday backlashThe “Wolf of Wall Street” star’s event caused havoc that spilled outside onto the Bird Streets, leaving residents furious. According to Fox News, one local was livid at the alleged chaos caused by vehicles arriving at and leaving the event.“Somebody just hit my car, ran over my front lawn,” he can be heard saying in footage aired by the network.Another griped, “People are driving over my private property, my neighbor’s private property. If there are damages here, who’s responsible?”The Fox News story noted that neighbors had been alerted to the upcoming festivities, but added that the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed two complaints about a loud party in the vicinity had been filed.DiCaprio’s real estateAlthough DiCaprio chose to hold his party at another person’s home, he would have had ample room to host his A-list guests in one of his own properties.The Oscar winner has bought and sold some serious trophy properties over the decades. He picked up his Hollywood Hills compound—originally two side-by-side properties, one of which the actor purchased from pop star Madonna—in the 1990s for $2.5 million.This property has been fully renovated by the star, who added a basketball court. He’s said to have rented it out to various actor friends, including, apparently, Tobey Maguire.He’s since amassed four properties within the compound, which features multiple pools and spans 5 acres.In addition, in 2021, the actor picked up a Los Feliz property owned by “Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson for $7.1 million.He’s also owned two units in a waterfront New York City high-rise in Battery Park City, an island near Belize, a Malibu mansion, and an investment property in Palm Springs.
Hollywood Producer and ‘Wonder Woman’ Star James Veres Lists ‘Legendary’ Equestrian Estate for $17.3 Million
Getty Images/Realtor.comHollywood producer and “Wonder Woman” star James Veres is galloping away from his magnificent equestrian estate in Malibu, CA, putting the property on the market for the first time in 30 years for the mammoth price of $17.3 million.The massive 4-acre property, described in the listing as “legendary,” was purchased by Veres and his ex-wife, German actress Ursula Karven, in 1994 for just $940,900—less than a tenth of the list price now.Veres, 75, produced the TV show “Hart to Hart” from 1994 to 1996 and the 2005 movie “Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical.” As an actor, he played Sgt. Dobson on the 1970s TV series “Wonder Woman,” starring alongside screen siren Lynda Carter.During his ownership, the home was also available to rent for $9,000 a month.The listing agent, Emma Hernan of The Oppenheim Group, told the Wall Street Journal that the former couple had decided to list the property because they no longer require a U.S. base, both having moved overseas.James Veres is selling his longtime equestrian estate in Malibu, CA.Realtor.comOriginal elements include the fireplace and exposed wood beams.Realtor.comThere’s room on the property to expand the home by up to 10,000 square feet.Realtor.comThe five-bedroom villa spans over 3,600 square feet.Realtor.comMoving onHowever, there is no doubt that the property holds a few painful memories for Veres and Karven. Seven years after purchasing the sprawling estate, they suffered an unspeakable tragedy when their 4-year-old son drowned in the pool of Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee‘s Malibu, CA, mansion in 2001 during a birthday party for one of Lee’s sons.Veres and Karven sued Lee for $10 million, but a jury found that Lee wasn’t liable for their son’s death.The trophy estate offers unique features “unlike any other property in Malibu,” the listing notes.“Perched prominently” above the Pacific Coast Highway, it is just “moments” from the beach, the listing adds.‘Extraordinary opportunity’Bright and airy, the 3,466-square-foot villa has five bedrooms and four baths. The midcentury modern abode is a study in “classic elegance” mixed with “modern comfort,” according to the listing.The kitchen has been updated, and the open living and dining area comes with a fireplace and walls of windows.Naturally, the home offers “sweeping ocean views” and a picturesque setting for relaxing and entertaining.The existing house, which is located at the rear of the lot, could be expanded by up to 10,000 square feet, the listing notes. There is also space to add additional structures.This property is an “extraordinary opportunity” to build a “personal oasis, equestrian paradise, and even animal rescue or sanctuary to be a true legacy property,” the listing notes.The equestrian estate has come on the market for the first time in 30 years.Realtor.comHorse facilities include stalls, paddocks, and access to a famed riding trail.Realtor.comThe “legendary” property offers endless opportunities, the listing notes.Realtor.comEquestrian elementsEquestrian enthusiasts will appreciate the dressage ring, corrals and riding arena, and 31 stalls that come with the property.The property features access to Malibu’s famed 67-mile Backbone Trail, through the Santa Monica Mountains, which leads to Escondido Falls and continues to Santa Barbara.Star-studded coastal enclaveThe area is home to some of the largest property transactions in Los Angeles County. Recently, Kanye West (who goes by Ye) sold his gutted beach house for $21 million.The Veres estate is also near Paradise Cove, which has boasted record-breaking transactions.Those include the purchase of a concrete compound by Beyoncé and JAY Z for $190 million last year, as well as the beach-front parcel Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, picked up for $94 million. It was her fourth property purchase in the area in the past decade.
Seemingly Idyllic $1 Million Townhouse Causes a Stir With Over-the-Top Egyptian ‘Tomb Room’ and Sarcophagus-Encased Toilet
MLS via Realtor.comA picture-perfect, $1 million family home in Nova Scotia that appears to be a traditional, elegant dwelling has bewildered viewers thanks to a baffling surprise hidden in the attic: an ornate, Egyptian-themed “tomb room.” At first glance, the five-bedroom, four-bathroom townhouse boasts a charming aesthetic, complete with brick and wood accents throughout the main living areas, as well as chic white walls, cozy fireplaces, and large bay windows.The Scottish Georgian townhouse also offers an array of history, having been built in the iconic Schmidtville district of Halifax back in 1859.Clearly, that impressive heritage wasn’t quite enough for one owner, who opted to add their own ancient flair by turning the attic space into an ancient-looking, Egypt-inspired space complete with handpainted murals on the walls, an extravagant gilt staircase rail, and a toilet that is housed in a giant sarcophagus.Painted by artist Michael Lewis, the room is described in the listing as a “one of a kind” space that “transports” guests into another world.A picture-perfect, $1 million family home in Nova Scotia that appears on the surface to be a traditional—and elegant–dwelling has bewildered viewers thanks to a baffling surprise hidden in the attic.MLSWhile the majority of the home is decorated in chic, neutral tones, the attic has been turned into a “tomb room,” complete with a toilet housed in a giant sarcophagus.MLSThe ancient-looking, Egypt-inspired space was hand painted by artist Michael Lewis.MLSThe former owner who commissioned the special space spared no expense when it came to ensuring it looked as realistic as possible.MLSThe sarcophagus also houses a shower that hangs over the toilet.MLS“While the exterior presents classic Victorian charm, the interior reveals a distinctive blend of historic and global design,” the listing crows. “The attic’s ‘Tomb Room’ painted by artist Michael Lewis is a must-see. “This one of a kind room that transports visitors to ancient Egypt with murals across the walls, and ceiling, completed with a bathroom set inside a towering sarcophagus.”The attic space features angled ceilings covered in an ornate mural, which extends up into a skylight in the roof. Meanwhile, the “sarcophagus” appears to have been fashioned out of some kind of portable restroom.Intriguingly, the rest of the home could not present more of a contrast, offering a serene design that features original brick walls, cedar shingles, and a foundation that combines hand-cut granite with fieldstone and brick. There are 11.5-foot ceilings on the ground floor, original woodwork, pocket doors, and plaster details throughout. The rooms all have historic craftsmanship, 19th-century softwood floors upstairs, and Saltillo tiles and hardwood on the main floor. The basement suite is newly renovated, with a private entrance and separate address, equipped with in-floor heating and abundant natural light. The space offers the homeowner the option of renting it out as its own residence. A vintage claw-foot tub adds charm, and the home has modern upgrades including updated wiring, plumbing, and natural gas heating with beautiful cast-iron radiators.Intriguingly, the rest of the home could not present more of a contrast, offering a serene design that features original brick walls, cedar shingles, and a foundation that combines hand-cut granite with fieldstone and brick. MLSMany of the original elements at the 1859 home have been retained and restored.MLSNatural light floods the kitchen courtesy of the large bay window. MLSThe basement suite is newly renovated, with a private entrance and separate address, equipped with in-floor heating and abundant natural light. The space offers the homeowner the option of renting it out as its own residence. MLSThe master suite in the basement boasts its own fireplace.MLSMexican kitchen tiles and Italian marble add to the home’s character.According to CBC, the “tomb room” was originally commissioned by former owner Paul Donovan, a TV and film producer who founded Salter Street Films and has a passion for all things historic.Property records show that Donovan sold the home for $950,000 back in 2020, suggesting that the new owners opted to preserve the unique attic space.A few people who spotted the home’s listing took to Reddit to share their confusion over the contrasting aesthetics, with one joking: “OMG the rest of the house is OUTRAGEOUSLY nice/normal by comparison. That somehow makes it weirder!”Another added: “They obviously let a weird relative move into and remodel the attic.”One quipped: “Toilet Paper or Mummy Wrapping? You decide!”Others, however, were delighted by the plot twist hidden in the attic.“I am very bored with all white/beige interiors but this house surprises you with the Egyptian room, the gorgeous mosaic floor in the other bathroom and the green floor in the bedroom,” a commenter wrote.
Categories
Recent Posts
