Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Pete Sampras' Home Court Up For Grabs

SELLER: Pete Sampras
LOCATION: Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, CA
PRICE: $25,000,000
SIZE: 10,376 square feet, 6 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms
DESCRIPTION: BH English Manor Masterpiece. Recently expanded & remodeled to absolute perfections. Exquisite detailed finishes throughout. Walled & gated, the estate is set on over an acre of magnificently landscaped grounds that include N/S tennis ct. Putting green, play areas, pool, & complete privacy. Det. GH & separate gym. Interiors include prof. theater. Office/library, & maids. Master ste. w/ sitting room, his/hers baths & sundeck boasting city light views.

YOUR MAMAS NOTES: Thanks to Lucy Spillerguts and Our Fairy Godmother in Bel Air, Your Mama has learned that heavily hirsute tennis legend Pete Sampras has dropped his Bev Hills estate on the open market with a blistering $25,000,000 asking price. Located on the dee-luxe and desirable lower section of Loma Vista Drive, the one plus acre property includes a 10,376 square foot "English Manor Masterpiece" with 6 bedroom and 12 damn terlits. No wonder he's selling the place. Who needs the expense and bother of two gurls up in the house 24/7 scrubbing all twelve of them damn poopers?

Property records indicate Pistol Pete purchased the estate in December of 2001 for an undisclosed sum of money, although Your Mama is going to guess it was between nine and tell million big ones. Just a guess kids, so don't go reporting that to your friends and enemies like it was the truth...we're guessing. According to listing information, Mister Sampras and his blond wifey Bridgette remodeled the place to "absolute perfection." And absolute perfection costs a lot of cash so we're quite sure that whatever Mister and Missus Sampras paid for the reverse "L" shaped house, they have spent a fortune on the property.

Current listing information does not include photos (actually it does not, see below), so Your Mama does not know if Missus Sampras did up the interiors on her own or if she had a team of nice gay decorators to assist her.

Listing information indicates the interior spaces include living and dining rooms, den, library/study, eat in kitchen, wine cellar, a professional theater set up, and a staff bedroom. Your Mama just hopes it's a properly sized staff room with decent sized closets, a window and it's own terlit. We have been appalled at the squalid living conditions the uber rich foist upon their live in staff, but given that Mister Sampras is universally seen as a decent and nice fellow, we don't imagine he's stiffed the staff on square footage.

Outdoors we find a double gated driveway, a north/south tennis court, natch, a putting green, children's play areas, and a lovely oval shaped heated swimming pool. Also on the property are a detached guest house and a separate gym.

Nearby neighbors include super producer Irwin Winkler, who produced the Rocky film franchise and the 27,000 square foot behemoth next door is owned by shopping mall magnate turned philanthropist Guilford Glazer Celebrity decorator Kelly Wearstler and her huzband Brad Korzen's massive and newly redone estate is just around the corner on N. Hillcrest Road and Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman are tucked into the big house they bought from the Ozzy Osbournes just to the north on Doheny Road.

Property Records show that Mister Sampras also a smallish house in Palos Verdes, where the tennis tycoon grew up and learned to swing the ol' racket. The Benedict Drive house he owned formerly was sold off for $3,000,000 in August of 2004 to Babs Streisand's former hairdresser turned super producer Jon Peters and his much younger wifey Mindy.

YOUR MAMAS UPDATE: The pictures of Pistol Pete's Bev Hills mansion have popped up and while Your Mama is not a big fan of the Tudor style nor do we care much for the kitchen and it always gives us the shivers to see a pool table in a private home, this appears to be a speck-tack-u-lar Bev Hills estate. Look at that wood paneled entrance hall children. That room has us weeping with glee. If celebrity real estate agent Kurt Rappaport can get Tom Crooz to cough up $32,500,000 for that big ol' mansion on Calle Vista, the listing agent for Mister Sampras, well known for working with big name sports figures, can surely get $25,000,000 for this place.

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

lovely...

anyone on the move at summitridge?

;) smiley

Anonymous said...

Not a house I would buy -- the Tudor-ish look isn't for me -- but I love that places like this still exist in the land of subdivision and teardowns.

Sits well above the street, by the way, so even though it looks too close to the road, it's actually fairly private.

so_chic_darling said...

Why would there be 6 bedrooms and double the number of bathrooms?

Anonymous said...

He sold the 2620 Benedict Canyon Drive home a few years back. This isn't the same house you're talking about, is it? The one he bought from Kenny G???

Wondering if he bought it back.

Does anyone know?

Anonymous said...

That, So_chic, is a good goddamn question!

Anonymous said...

So_Chic, Bentley, perhaps some of those damn terlits serve double duty (excuse the pun) as cabanas for the pool and/or tennis court?

PCH, I don't dislike the Tudor look when done well but not when its overdone with half-timbering that deforests half of the Pacific Northwest. Here's another case, though, of a house suiting its site, and it doesn't look out of place at all.

I particularly like the placement of the house and landscaping that allows for a true North/South tennis court without any of the major living spaces overlooking it; it may be what he does for a living but he doesn't need to see it all the time; would a Verizon lineman want a damn telephone pole on his front lawn?

Anonymous said...

Oh, and by the way, the house next door (to the upper left in the photo) looks EXACTLY like the Garden City Sears parking garage.

Anonymous said...

LGB, totally agree. I would be very happy to live across the street from this house -- esp on this sweet block of Loma Vista -- just wouldn't be dropping twenty five big ones on a Tudor for myself.

A question, Mama: Is there a specific reason you don't like pool tables? I think I know the answer, but I'm curious anyhow...

Alessandra said...

I like the house and the interiors after a brief glance. However, I am so DAMNED sick and tired of recessed lighting everywhere. It doesn't belong in this house in particular and certainly not in every room. Use some imagination, people.

That's my only nitpick. Otherwise, I'd be happy to buy it.

Anonymous said...

I agree pch
Whats up with the pool table phobia?
Mama you must get over the pool table thing. My huzband is crazy for them and well he is crazy for me so he whe will get one when we get our upper rooms finished. Some men need Man room (or at least thats what I call them) a place to have a lay-z-boy and where he can fart and scratch without bothering me :)

Anonymous said...

uh not say that Moma would ever have a lay-z-boy fart or scratch that is.....

Anonymous said...

You didn't mention his place in Los Altos -

Anonymous said...

5:01, you need a name. I like you!
Alessandra, you too!

Has anyone toured it (pch?)? The grounds are spectacular. I'm with Our Mama on so-so tudor feelings. But, sometimes they can surprise you with so much charm and character.

Caveman, what do you think?

Anonymous said...

Sorry Sandpiper, no tour, only know it from being in the 'hood.

so_chic_darling said...

Oh the inside is spooky!

Anonymous said...

I like it...it's the first $20+ million BH estate I feel is worth the money since Georges Marciano had the old Harry Cohn estate @ 1000 North Crescent on the block for $28-million two or three years ago...so few of these truly grand (and as others have pointed out) well proportioned to their sites residences remain in good locations in LA, and this is one of them...BTW - does you mama know if Marciano ever sold the Cohn estate, or did he just pull it off the market?

Anonymous said...

Big Daddy J,

Do you know when this property was originally built? (I'm being lazy, with no excuses.)

:)

Anonymous said...

Sigh. I'd take it.

And then spend some $$$ redoing the kitchen...yeah, I get it, if you've got this house you've got a cook but at least be nice to the staff and have a place where you can actually cook!

Once again, a hike around an island to get to a sink (and the baby sink in the island doesn't count, for one, and I hate them, for two).

But oh, the entryway and stairs and oh, the landscaping and oh, the arbor...

Anonymous said...

Alessandra, I'm with you - if any interior cries out for some classic chandeliers it's this one.

Lovely woodwork, though, especially the foyer and stair hall. And that trellis in the garden; now there's a spot for Mama's gin & tonic, with a twist of lime.

Please Mama, please, tells us the origin of your pool table phobia. We promise to keep it just among us chilruns.

PCH, you mentioned it was an area of tear downs; any noteworthy properties lost?

Anonymous said...

And yes kiddies, I checked; one can use either trellis or arbor in this instance as they both support growing vines . . .

;-)

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness I didn't get it wrong, LGB! When I read 'trellis' in your comment I thought, Oh Shit, it was an arbor, wasn't it??

Yeah, we're both right!

Anonymous said...

Meow...and rock on, little buddy.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Kitty has claws.

Anonymous said...

Sandpiper,

In answer to your questions, the original house (minus the generally tasteful additions) was completed in 1933. It was designed by the Santa Monica architect John Byers for Mr. and Mrs. Woodworth Clum and was published in the February 1934 edition of California Arts & Architecture with photos and (pre-additions) floor plans. Truly a classic Beverly Hills residence!

- armchair architectural historian

Anonymous said...

I don't object to 'Tudorbethan', or indeed any style, so long as it is done well. I don't think the facades of this house are particularly well done. The frontage looks better than the rear (just like me ;-), but there appears to be a long double sweep of steps up to the front door, so I hope Mrs S got all her groceries delivered. I like wood panelling, and I like this stairwell hall, which is exceedingly well done. The contrast between the dark entrance and the light-filled room beyond is very pleasing.
The kitchen look pretty, but its another layout disaster for any cook. I hope that is not a RUG I spy on the highly polished wood floor by the sink? What is up with LA kitchen designers?

I have a few quibbles with the outdoors too. The brick paving is in keeping with Tudorbethan, I grant, but the pointing around the pool is appallingly badly done. The pergola is a nice touch but I'd get rid of the twee and undersized fountain if I had any say in the matter.

Flora

Anonymous said...

I'm swooning over the house, including the kitchen. That lovely patio - DOUBLE SWOON!

Anonymous said...

why are they selling? are they splitting?

Anonymous said...

Flora:

I'd get rid of the twee and undersized fountain . . .

I just snarfed my morning coffee through my nose - priceless!

And you've got a good eye too, I didn't notice the poor brickwork surrounding the pool; perhaps our armchair architectural historian can tell us if it's original to the house (which could explain its poor condition), or if it's a later addition that was poorly executed. Also loved your use of the term "pergola', much more apt than either trellis or arbor.

;-)

Anonymous said...

I was going to suggest pergola, but someone beat me to it (lol)...I have one in my backyard, and pergola is the term I use to describe it (it came with the house, I didn't build it...)...

Sandpiper - sorry, no clue when this was built, for all I know it was in 1986 (lol), but at least it looks and feels classic....the Cohn estate @ 1000 North Crescent I mentioned earlier I do know was built in 1927 or 1928 I'm 99.9% sure...

Anonymous said...

Whoops, missed the post dating the house to 1933...guess there's yer answer ;-)

Anonymous said...

What, only 6 out of the 30 comments from Lil Gay Boy?

Why, that's only 20%

We expect more from you, wippersnapper- or are you secretly starting your own blog, so don't have the usual time to dedicate to your duties as Real Estalker Communications Director?

Anonymous said...

655 it wa I. I con-fess I waned no body to know about the farting...... the shame, the shame.

Anonymous said...

Anyone know where Kelly Wearstler's new home is?

Anonymous said...

LGB - sorry I spoiled your coffee ;-)

To me, an arbour means a seating space underneath a treillage top, and sometimes with two or three sides of treillage too, to enclose it. It is a garden destination. On the other hand, I see a Pergola as a pathway covered by a treillage top, and open at the sides; a covered way between two areas. However, the two terms seems to be very loosely applied, so lets not be pedantic about it. They are very nice to sit under when it is too hot in the sun, so long as one's gardener has swept up yesterday's fallen leaves and petals.

Flora

Anonymous said...

Hi armchair architectural historian,

Wow, what an answer! I bet there are a lot of interesting nooks and c5rannies, as Aunt Mary would say.

Anonymous said...

809

Anonymous said...

Is there a bar under the arbor?

Anonymous said...

So let's stick to the subject kids. The Benedict Canyon house, for example, tell us about that. I asked earlier but no one answered. He sold that Benedict Canyon house several years ago.

Anonymous said...

A pergola,a nook,a trellis and an arbor oh get me a drink and sit with me in the inglenook and lets talk about fenestration,valances,facades and Tudorbethan parapets,houses with names and comments without end!

Anonymous said...

Are those odd, boxy dormers along the side of the house in keeping with Tudor architecture? They look strange to me.

Anonymous said...

Re; Kelly Wearstler... She is married to mega-developer Brad Korzen who runs KOR Group, responsible for all of the popular new Hollywood loft buildings, that big downtown thing that Johnny Depp is in, etc. She did the decorating for her husband which jump-started her reputation as a big decorator type... I love a love story. Check out the KOR Group website for some of their properties. He's big cheese real estate guy though still in his 30's. Also did the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica (I worked with the company on the financing of some of that).

They bought the old William Powell-Cubby Broccoli estate at 809 Hillcrest Road in BH in 2005 for $28,000,000 (renting a house at 1240 Benedict Canyon for $35,000/month for 6-9 months during the rehab). They also bought the old Janet Jackson Malibu house at 21842 PCH for $10,000,000 in 2005. For those weekend escapes, don't you know.

Anonymous said...

Hey armchair architectural historian; I too like to track that stuff. Please email me at my website at movielanddirectory.com if you'd like to share some historical info on Byers, Paul Revere Williams, etc. Thanks.
E.J.

Anonymous said...

Hmm... after seeing comments from some of my siblings about English/Tudor style and Mama's disdain of pool tables, I guess I can see now why no one ever comes to visit me! Since Mama seems to be nursing her hangover right now, I'll pose a question: Should I have wallpaper installed in my "powder room?" I'm bored, unemployed while the strike is ongoing, and thought some 60s flavored paisley type print would rock it up a bit without spending a large wad of pesos. What's the opinion?
PS: EJ you f*ckin' rock

Anonymous said...

no wall paper
go to hobby lobby and get some foam stamps and add some big flowers...then paint over it and start again.

just joking but seriously no wall paper..ever

Anonymous said...

E.J.:

Always loved your site - one of my favorite bookmarks!

Great info - more, we want more!

And no, Hippie, listen to anon 10:28 - no wallpaper; just write on the walls for now until the strike is over.

;-)

Gosh, auditor, hope this post doesn't throw your math off . . .

Anonymous said...

Hey Hippie Canyon,
Why not! There are so many cool patterns out there. If it makes you happy, rock on. I'm a paisley fan, too. If you go to a good shop (privately owned) they know those books and can really help you out.

PS Please, just in case you ever invite me over, don't put up that stuff Mama showed in the Ackroyd place. Still trying to drown that image from my mind.

Anonymous said...

I'm with Sandpiper, Hippie. Go for it! A powder room is one of the only places to go wild and if you get tired of it, who cares it is only the powder room.

If you don't do it, please let us know. I want to let's say borrow your idea.

Anonymous said...

Going wild in the powder room usually only means one thing to me,more mess to pick up after the guests have done their thing,legal or otherwise!

Anonymous said...

Cruise actually paid $30.5M for his house on Calle Vista

Anonymous said...

Very stodgy, very Pete. Still, it isn't a terrible house. The tennis court is a nice plus.

Anonymous said...

its great to see jordan cohens listing. he is a great agent that deals with alot of big deals in the westlake village area but has an strong in to the sports world. he did shaq's house too.. he is top notch.

Anonymous said...

Lil' gay boy,

Thanks for the nod. Love your posts by the way.

My brother T is the computer guy for the Directory but we're getting ready to do a massive upload in the next month (by the end of February). Will take the total listings from 29,000 or so to just over 50,000. It's a sickness I know.

I don't care what people say, I love this huge monstrosity. Like they say in the movie, "What a shameful, disgusting show of wealth. How do I get one?"

E.J.

Anonymous said...

E.J.:

Keep 'em coming, the more the merrier! Have always loved the site and visit it often; can't wait to see the uploads . . .

;-)

(Sorry, sometimes it just slips out.)

Anonymous said...

Hey Bentley,
Those wonky shed dormer windows are a result of the "expansion/remodel." In that process, appears the original structure's roof pitch (see zillow) was abandoned in favor of this end result, incl intro of shed dormer treatments vs. a true gable dormer. Those are integrity issues. It's not my house, but you have me on a roll (LOL). I do know mansion expansions (no rhyme intended). The drill usually goes like this: base new design on existing structure, including custom profile patterns for new millwork, custom stain finishes, yada, yada. The goal is to produce a result so true that it is impossible to tell where the old meets the new. Here, that might not be happening in many ways, incl. the shed dormers. If anyone else has a better handle on this, I'm as interested as Bentley is.

Anonymous said...

I want to buy it! In fact, let me get right on this, it is a beauty and it is the style of house I am looking for in the area I am looking and I haven't found one quite like this. Thank you so much to my friends Pete Sampras and his lovely wife.

Yours truly
Vanessa Anne Hudgens

P.S. Oh and it is me and also this is one thing the papers didn't catch...Zac and I are finally moving in together! This is why we are looking.

chris said...

Well it is surely big but the pictures make it look very gloomy. Or is it the photos' lighting? I'd hate to live in a mansion that is half dark all day long.

Anonymous said...

I was a big fan of Pete, but I really don't like this house. Hey, they are young people (relative to me *smile*) and have this granddaddy's taste? There are so many gorgeous homes on Loma Vista - for a fraction of the price of this one.

Anonymous said...

Just read today that it sold for a mere $23 million.

EVEN if I could have afforded it, this house is too dark and depressing. NEXT!

Anonymous said...

i've read that someone has bought this house

it's true?