Entertainment
Angelina Jolie sells historic $24.75M estate, with Madonna reportedly buying it
Madonna reportedly arranged a video tour of the historic estate while away from Los Angeles, adding celebrity intrigue. Some Hollywood homes are measured in square footage; others are measured in the stories their walls have witnessed. In Los Feliz, a storied estate once belonging to legendary filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille has entered another chapter, changing hands after nearly a decade under Angelina Jolie's ownership. The property sold for $24.75 million in September 2026, and Madonna has reportedly emerged as its new owner, adding another landmark residence to her impressive real-estate portfolio.According to TMZ and Mansion Global, the sale concluded after Jolie listed the property for approximately $29.85 million in May. Despite the estate's considerable pedigree and extensive amenities, the final price came in more than $5 million below its original asking figure. Parade reported that Madonna was subsequently identified as the buyer, although neither star's representatives had publicly confirmed the transaction. A Hollywood landmark with a storied past Situated in Laughlin Park, an exclusive residential enclave in Los Feliz, the estate dates to 1913. DeMille, one of Hollywood's pioneering filmmakers, purchased the residence in 1916 and lived there until his death in 1959 states TMZ report. The property also has a connection to another celebrated name in cinema. DeMille later acquired a neighbouring property associated with Charlie Chaplin, linking the two residences with a glass corridor. The resulting compound became an unusual piece of Hollywood history, with its architecture and ownership reflecting an era when the surrounding hills attracted influential figures from the film industry.The estate remained associated with DeMille's family for decades before eventually reaching Jolie, whose purchase in 2017 brought the historic property into another generation of celebrity ownership. Inside the 2.1-acre estate According to Mansion Global report, the approximately 11,000-square-foot main residence features six bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, combining expansive interiors with the privacy of a substantial landscaped property.According to Mansion Global and Parade, the estate includes a library, fitness studio, wine cellar, guesthouse, pool house and tea house. A 40-foot swimming pool anchors the outdoor amenities, while the grounds offer views of the Hollywood Hills.The combination of multiple structures, recreational facilities and secluded grounds makes the residence more than a conventional luxury home. Its scale also places it among the distinctive historic properties that continue to attract buyers in Los Angeles' upper-end real-estate market. Jolie's modest profit after nine years Jolie acquired the estate for approximately $24.5 million in 2017, several months after her separation from Brad Pitt. The sale price of $24.75 million represents a nominal gain of around $250,000 before accounting for transaction costs, maintenance, taxes and other expenses associated with ownership.TMZ reported that the property officially left the market at the September sale price, following months of marketing. Although the transaction technically represents an increase over Jolie's purchase price, the difference is relatively small for a property held over nine years.Jolie had previously indicated that she hoped to leave Los Angeles once her youngest children reached adulthood. Knox and Vivienne, her twins, will turn 18 in July 2026. Her family has a long history with the city. Madonna's reported new chapter Madonna's reported acquisition adds another celebrity dimension to the estate's history. According to Parade, the singer's representatives arranged a video tour because she was not in Los Angeles to inspect the property in person.If confirmed, the purchase would place the Queen of Pop in a residence that has passed through the hands of some of Hollywood's most recognisable figures. From DeMille's cinematic legacy to Jolie's years in the historic home, the estate's next chapter appears poised to continue a tradition of celebrity ownership.For now, the $24.75 million transaction marks a new turning point for one of Los Angeles' most historically significant celebrity properties, where architectural heritage and Hollywood history remain as compelling as the address itself.Images Courtesy: Wikipedia and Andrew Bramasco
Times of India·4 hours ago·3 min read
Entertainment
New Jersey breaks ground on $70m, 275-home project at abandoned Army site
The development offers easy access to Asbury Park, Long Branch, and commuter rail connections to New York City. For two decades, a stretch of Eatontown, New Jersey, stood as a reminder of a community left behind. Once home to military families, the abandoned Howard Commons site gradually deteriorated, its vacant buildings and neglected grounds becoming an eyesore along Pinebrook Road. Now, the long-neglected property is set for a dramatic transformation, with developers betting that new homes, shops and a nearby Netflix production campus could help usher in a new chapter for the region.According to reports by the New York Post and Realtordot com, developers have broken ground on The Premiere at Monmouth, a $70 million residential and retail development planned for the former military housing site. The project will bring 275 homes alongside a public park, grocery store, convenience store and gas station, creating a new neighbourhood as Eatontown prepares for a wave of investment and employment opportunities. From military housing to a new community According to New York Post, Howard Commons was once part of the former Fort Monmouth military installation, providing housing for hundreds of military families. Following years of vacancy and deterioration, the property became a symbol of stalled redevelopment. The latest plan, developed through an agreement between the borough and Lennar Corp., aims to replace the decaying complex with a community designed around contemporary residential needs, the report adds.The new development is expected to include single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums, catering to a range of prospective buyers, from first-time homeowners to families seeking additional space. The inclusion of everyday retail and public green space is intended to make the project more than a housing complex, giving residents access to essential services and shared outdoor areas, the New York report explains.As reported by Realtor dot com, Lennar has worked with the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority since the early 2000s and identified the long-vacant site as an opportunity for redevelopment. The developer is now positioning the project as part of a broader revival of Monmouth County. Netflix's billion-dollar bet A major factor behind the renewed interest in the area is Netflix's planned studio complex at Fort Monmouth. The streaming giant broke ground on its $1 billion Netflix Studios East project in 2025, transforming part of the former US Army installation into a major East Coast production hub, Realtor report explains.Scheduled to open in 2028, the 292-acre campus is expected to feature 12 sound stages covering nearly 500,000 square feet, alongside facilities supporting other production activities and community amenities. The project is anticipated to generate jobs and attract businesses serving the entertainment industry, strengthening the region's prospects as a growing centre for film and television production, adds the report by New York Post and Realtor too.The Premiere at Monmouth is about a 10-minute drive from the planned studio campus. Developers are hoping that proximity to the facility will appeal to buyers looking to live near future employment opportunities and the businesses expected to follow.The area's housing market has already shown signs of heightened demand. In May, NJ dot com reported that a five-bedroom home in nearby Little Silver sold for $2.6 million, approximately 24% above its $2.1 million asking price. The sale offers a glimpse of the competition emerging in communities within easy reach of Fort Monmouth. Homes, shops and shore access Beyond the studio connection, The Premiere at Monmouth benefits from its location near established Jersey Shore destinations, including Asbury Park and Long Branch. The Red Bank train station also provides NJ Transit connections for commuters travelling towards New York City, adding to the development's appeal for people balancing suburban living with work in the metropolitan area.According to Realtor dot com, early interest has come from a broad mix of buyers, with appointments for prospective purchasers expected to begin in late autumn. The project also offers an opportunity to give a neglected former military site a renewed civic purpose. A cautious moment for construction The redevelopment arrives amid uncertainty in the wider US housing market. September figures cited in the reports showed building permits slipping 0.2% from August and 3% year over year. Housing starts fell 5.2% month over month and 7.4% annually, while completions declined 2.2% from the previous month and 14% compared with the same period a year earlier.Against the backdrop of elevated mortgage rates and construction costs, The Premiere at Monmouth represents a significant local investment. Its success will depend on whether housing demand, infrastructure and the anticipated economic benefits of Netflix's studio come together as expected. For Eatontown, however, the groundbreaking marks a visible shift: a site that spent 20 years in decline is finally being prepared for a new generation of residents, concludes the report.Images Courtesy: Realtor and Google Maps
Times of India·6 hours ago·4 min read