Celebrity Real Estate: Hayden Christensen Lists Studio City Architectural Home

Hot off the presses from the always informative Lauren Beale at LA Times Hot Property comes word of Hayden Christensen's Studio City home for sale at $2,495,000. Mr. Christensen is a Canadian born actor who gained fame with his popular role as "Anakin Skywalker" and later "Darth Vader" in George Lucas' Star Wars Episode II and III (I wonder if Hayden knows that the original ILM studios were started in nearby Van Nuys). 

The home measures 5 Bed/5 Baths on 6,302sqft on a total lot size of 0.78 acres built in 1990. This home has a modern-contemporary architectural style which I unfortunately dont know who is the architect. 

According to the listing:

Celebrity owned Architectural Modern with 6300 sq ft on 3/4 acre. Linen white gallery walls, sisal carpets & rich walnut floors. Step down liv rm w/ fireplace, high ceilings + French doors open to large private flat yard. Formal dining room, large open gourmet kit/family room w/ fireplace opens to pool and rear yard. 2nd floor family rm w/ fireplace, 3 bdrms all opening to view terraces with spa. Entire 3rd floor lavish master suite with elevator, views, fplce, large bath w/ his/hers areas, elevated tub + double walk in closets. Great outdoor entertainment areas w/ salt water pool, spa, 2 enclosed flat yards , mature trees + oversize 3 car garage.

This home was last purchased on September 22, 2003 for $1,425,000 which the property records indicate was actually purchased by Hayden's brother, Tove Christensen, who is also an actor and film producer. Based on the current asking price if it sold, which has already been reduced by $155,000,  would net Tove a profit of $1,070,000 before taxes, commissions, carrying costs, and any other expenses associated with the property. Not sure where the Christensen brothers are heading off to but maybe they are seeking independence as they get older. 

You can view more SFV Celebrity Real Estate here. 

Images courtesy Hilton & Hyland

Cliff May Designed Studio City Home Hits Rental Market

11248 Sunshine Terrace

2 Bed/1 Bath on 989sqft on a total lot size of 10,994 built in 1954 Studio City. According to the listing, the home was built by Cliff May and hit the rental market for $3,100 back in mid August 2012. I am a little late in reporting this one and I believe its no longer available. 

From the listing:

Perched on a knoll, behind a gated drive is a quintessential Cliff May home built in 1954. Walls of glass glass and superb architecture make this creative space a one of a kind dwelling for the eclectic connoisseur of life's finer things. 2 bedroom and 1 bath home on a large, very private lot. The designer style kitchen plays to dining and living areas; all flows seemlessy to the grassy yard, coy ponds and gorgeous views of the valley beyond. This is a rare opportunity to occupy one of the foremost architect's offering, on one of the best lots the hills have to offer. In close proximity to Ventura shops and restaurants as well as the studios. Call agent for exclusions.

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.

Images courtesy Rodeo Realty

Celebrity Real Estate: The Studio City Home Claimed To Be The Last Resting Place for Beatles George Harrison Sold

3738 Laurel Canyon Blvd

3 Bed/3 Bath on 2,891 sqft on a total lot size of 0.71 acres built in 1941 Studio City. This home recently sold on October 10, 2012 for $1,489,000 which was $40,000 less than original list price of $1,529,000. The home was previously owned by Gavin de Becker who is a security specialist for governments, large corporations, and celebrities. 

The story goes that George Harrison of The Beatles who was in his last days of fighting lung cancer hooked up with Gavin de Becker and tried to arrange a secretive funeral. Harrison did not want to die in a hospital or his mansion in the UK. So fellow Beatle Paul McCartney offered his place in Beverly Hills Post Office which he had purchased on March 16, 2001 for $3,995,000 from fellow rocker Courtney Love who purchased it from comedienne Ellen Degeneres in 1997 for roughly $3 million. 

Harrison died on 29 November 2011 at McCartney's house with family nearby. To prevent McCartney's home from becoming a shrine, de Becker's firm instead used a fake address of 1971 Coldwater Canyon Drive (which would hypothetically be near to McCartney's home if there was a home listed with that address) on the death certificate (also here) as a decoy which worked for several months. Afterwards, Gloria Allred gets involved and calls shenanigans on everyone. So de Becker releases an updated death certificate with de Becker's Studio City address including a fake picture of Harrison and his wife Olivia standing in front of de Becker's mailbox.   Finally the death certificate was corrected stating Paul McCartney's home which was filed on March 16, 2002.

So for a brief period of time, the de Becker home in Studio City was known as the last home of George Harrison but really wasnt as Harrison passed away at McCartney's Beverly Hills PO home. 

Images courtesy Prudential California Realty