In 2012, Malaysian businessman Jho Low turned heads when he dropped a whopping $38.98 million on a Hollywood Hills mansion, redefining what a home could sell for in the celebrity-filled neighborhood.
Not long after, a federal investigation alleged that Low bought the stunning showplace with money embezzled from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad fund. Accused of masterminding a scheme that stole $4.5 billion, Low fled the country and federal authorities reached an agreement to list the property for $24.5 million — astaggering $14.48 million shy of what Low paid a few years earlier.
After almost a year on the market, it’s finally sold for $18.5million.
Low, a high roller who partied with Paris Hilton and poured $100 million into Martin Scorsese’s film “The Wolf of Wall Street,” briefly stayed in the home before skipping town. It was originally owned by legendary Mexican actor Ricardo Montalbán, who commissioned architect Ricardo Legorreta to build the place in 1986.
Perched in the Bird Streets enclave, the estate occupies more than an acre and boasts a long, private driveway and a guardhouse to monitor incoming guests.
Photos that date to 2012 depict a modern structure of more than 13,000 square feet, but the listing notes that the property is in need of a full restoration.
The compound includes a six-bedroom home, a four-car glass garage, a guesthouse, a spa complex and a swimming pool. Statues dot the landscape around the estate, leading into expansive interiors with modern fixtures and striking views.
Askylighted foyer accesses the living spaces, which include a chandelier-topped dining room and a living room with a built-in fireplace.
The great room adds a wet bar and a two-story wall of windows.
Pocketing doors line the master suite, extending to a private balcony with sweeping city views.
Down below, the backyard has a tiered patio and fire pit.
Ernie Carswell and Christopher Pickett of Douglas Elliman held the listing. Roy Harel and Arin Gharibian of Keller Williams Hollywood Hills represented the buyer.
Hitmaker’s sale ends on a high note
Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Mark Ronson has sold a Los Feliz home he owned through a corporate entity for about $4.776 million.
Hedged and gated from the street, the 1935 Mediterranean Revival-style villa has been updated with colorful living spaces yet retains such period features as stenciled beams and Saltillo tile floors. A grand foyer with a sweeping staircase opens to a step-down living room with a fireplace. In the den, emerald-green walls and built-ins catch the eye.
The 6,263-square-foot floor plan also contains a center-island kitchen, a formal dining room and an expanded master suite. Including a two-story guesthouse, there are five bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms. The house sits on about a third of an acre dotted with palm trees. A swimming pool, a dining patio and a loggia with a bar make up the backyard.
Ronson, 44, is known as the producer of such hits as Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” album as well as the singles “Rehab” and “Uptown Funk.” Two years ago, the British musician scored a hat trick of sorts when he won an Oscar, a Golden Globe and aGrammy for co-writing the song “Shallow” for the movie “A Star Is Born.”
He bought the property four years ago for about $4.295 million.
Branden and Rayni Williams of Hilton & Hyland were the listing agents. Sheena Sadaghiani of Keller Williams Realty represented the buyer.
More sales action for film star
Jason Statham is selling it all.
Just a few months after unloading his stylish Malibu beach house for $18.5 million, the action star is asking $6.995 million for his designer-redone Midcentury Modern home in the Hollywood Hills.
The spread carries a much different feel from his former place in Malibu — a stark black abode with contemporary style overlooking the ocean. This one’s tucked into the hills above the Sunset Strip, boasting an eye-catching asymmetrical roofline wrapped in cedar.
The lumber continues inside, lining the ceilings above the minimalist living spaces. Inspired by Scandinavian design, the interior features polished concrete floors, crisp white walls and frameless clerestory windows.
Massive sliding walls of glass connect the living room and dining room to the outdoors. Pocketing doors in the galley-style kitchen also open to the rear.
Elsewhere are four bedrooms, three bathrooms and an office in 3,000 square feet.
The master suite offers plenty of space, combining a sitting room, oak closetand dramatic bathroom with a free-standing tub and a private outdoor lounge with a fire pit.
The stylish amenities continue outside, where a saltwater pool and spa adjoin a barrel sauna and stainless-steel ice bath. The grounds cover about a quarter of an acre.
Anative of England, Statham has been acting since 1998 with notable roles in “The Transporter,” “Crank,” “The Mechanic” and “The Expendables.” More recently, the 52-year-old became known for his role as Deckard Shaw in the “Fast & Furious” franchise.
Branden and Rayni Williams of Hilton & Hyland hold the listing.
Skier is navigating a new slope
It appears Lindsey Vonn won’t be riding out retirement in her Sherman Oaks home of three years. The former alpine skiing champion, who hung up her skis last year following the 2019 World Championships in Sweden, has put her contemporary-style residence in the San Fernando Valley neighborhood on the market for a dollar shy of $3 million.
The two-story clean-lined house has five bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and more than 4,000 square feet of designer-updated living space.
Beyond the oversize front door, there are open-concept living areas, high ceilings and exposed beams. A wall of French doors and clerestories bring natural light into the kitchen, dining room and great room. Built-in bookshelves run from floor to ceiling in the office/den. An expansive master suite opens to a private balcony overlooking the pool. An outdoor kitchen and patio space fill out the fenced and hedged grounds.
Vonn, 35, was the overall World Cup champion from 2008 to 2010 and again in 2012. During her career, she won two Olympic medals, including a gold in the downhill competition at the 2010 Vancouver Games.
Last year, she won a bronze medal in women’s downhill at the World Championships — the final race of her career.
Jill Donaty of the Donaty Group holds the listing.
