Lavish iso sanctuaries dominate celebrity house sales in 2020

A global pandemic hasn’t stopped the world’s rich and famous from splashing out on multimillion-dollar mansions in 2020.

In fact, COVID-19, which has spawned a growing breed of remote-working sea changers, tree changers and upsizers, has seen cashed-up celebrities splash out on luxurious seaside and countryside compounds, away from it all.

If Montecito, a secluded hillside community north-west of Los Angeles, wasn’t already on the radar of the super rich and wealthy seeking stunning views and relative isolation on the Californian coast, then covid put it firmly on the must-have property map.

A long list of celebrities secured multimillion-dollar addresses in the exclusive seaside town in 2020, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle who splashed $US14.7 million ($A19.5 million) on a nine-bedroom, 16-bathroom compound.

In August, it was reported the couple joined a growing number of A-listers in the upmarket neighbourhood, 150 kilometres from Los Angeles, including Oprah Winfrey and and singer Ariana Grande, when they bought the sprawling 7.5-acre sanctuary, which also boasts a pool, tennis court and a second “cottage” residence in June.

The palatial 1350-square-metre main residence, was reportedly built in 2003 and also includes a library, office, a spa and sauna, a gym, games room, a theatre, wine cellar and a five-car garage.

The high-profile couple were soon joined by others, including singer Katy Perry and actor Orlando Bloom, who, according to reports in October, forked out $US14.2 million for a stunning four-bedroom home.

Variety reported the 8.9-acre property with manicured lawns and stunning ocean views was sold to the couple by businessman C. Robert Kidder, the former chief executive of Chrysler and Duracell.

In early December, it was also revealed that talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi paid $US49 million for a Montecito property previously owned by former Saturday Night Live star Dennis Miller and his wife, former model, Carolyn Espley-Miller.

The high-profile couple, who are known for flipping homes in the area, are believed to have purchased the lavish four-acre property, which was not publicly listed for sale, in September. 

It is reported to include a “South African Cape Dutch-style” main residence,  a guesthouse, a barn designed by architect Tom Kundig, a jogging path, parking for more than 30 cars, an infinity pool, and “a lily pond the size of a small lake”.

In June, the couple sold a Tudor-style home in the ritzy neighbourhood to 26-year-old Ariana Grande for $US6.75 million. The embattled television host and her actor wife paid $US3.6 million for the historic Porter House in January and following a speedy renovation put it back on the market to pocket the proceeds.

Meanwhile, the Kardashian family went to great lengths to ensure they could keep close company, while LA went in and out of lockdown throughout 2020.

In October, it was reported reality television star Khloe Kardashian and her mum Kris Jenner had snapped up multimillion-dollar mansions next door to each other in a Los Angeles gated community.

Variety reported the two homes were built in early 2020 and sit on 6000 square metres. However, because the dwellings weren’t listed publicly further details and images of the properties are scarce. But the publication said the Keeping up with the Kardashians stars paid $US10 million for each property.

The celebrity family are known for living within close quarters of each other, with Jenner selling her Hidden Hills home for $US15 million this year, across the street from Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West.

But it wasn’t just on the west coast of the US where celebrities were looking to flee more heavily populated cities. On the east coast, songstress Mariah Carey left her Manhattan penthouse in March to wait out the pandemic in a secluded country estate in Westchester County in New York State.

But rather than purchase the “covid-isolation mansion” the singer rented the luxury home for an unknown amount from former Wall Street executive Jay Dweck, who bought it for $US4.8 million in 2012.

At the time, Variety reported Carey had sought refuge in the mansion along with her two children and a small team of staff.

In July, it was also reported that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban paid $US3.5 million for a two-bedroom New York City pad in a grand building in trendy Tribeca.

According to the New York Post, the Leonard Street apartment building features three separate entrances, a pool, hot tub, gym and media room.

But, it may be some time before the celebrity couple return to the covid-ravaged Big Apple. They have reportedly been living in an “eco mansion” with their two children in Byron Bay, while Kidman wraps up filming on the TV series Nine Perfect Strangers.

The actor and country music singer are typically based in Nashville, Tennessee, but also own homes in Los Angeles and Sydney.

Fellow Aussie actor Liam Hemsworth has also swapped the US for Byron Bay in 2020. After selling the fire-ravaged Malibu home he once shared with former wife Miley Cyrus earlier this year, the Hollywood heart-throb and his brother Luke paid $11.4 million for a luxury five-bedroom home in the Newrybar hinterland, which was previously known as the popular wedding venue Newrybar Downs.

The U-shaped homestead features two bedroom wings on either side of a garden courtyard, a vast lawn that extends to a swimming pool and cabana, and a bowling green beyond that.

The brothers join their Hollywood A-lister brother Chris to buy into Byron Bay’s high-end market with The Hunger Games star reported to have already moved into his new home, with girlfriend Gabriella Brooks, just in time for Christmas.