Joe Pesci is selling his waterfront home in Lavallette, NJ, for $6.5 million. At that price, it’s far and away the most expensive listing in the tiny borough along the Jersey Shore
Built in 1990, the 7,200-square-foot contemporary has eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms. It last changed hands in 1994 for $850,000.
Thanks to an open floor plan and walls of glass, the living and dining spaces feature spectacular water views. The eat-in kitchen includes a center island and space for a casual dining table.
Up a spiral staircase, the master suite includes a private balcony, bathroom, and office. The home is equipped with an elevator.
Pesci, who won an Oscar for his supporting role in “Goodfellas,” isn’t shy about showing off his career in film. The home theater is decorated with movie memorabilia, and photos of the actor—including an iconic image with Robert De Niro from “Raging Bull”—adorn the walls.
Joe Pesci’s waterfront home
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Living room with photos of the actor
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Formal dining room
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Eat-in kitchen
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Home theater with movie memorabilia
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Bar with movie posters
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Deck and pool
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Outside, a large deck expands the living space and leads to a heated pool and spa, as well as a boat dock.
Located in the West Point Island neighborhood, the bayside home is just a short bike ride to the ocean.
Pesci is known for his iconic roles in “My Cousin Vinny,” “Casino,” and “Goodfellas.”
Around town, “Locals see just another neighbor in tank top and shorts,” the New York Times noted in 2005, when the sleepy resort area began to gain in popularity. The New Jersey native bought a home for his mother there, and also had a brother living on the island, according to the Times.
The 76-year-old announced his retirement from acting in 1999, but came out of exile to star in Martin Scorsese‘s “The Irishman,” a crime drama starring De Niro and Al Pacino.
It looks like “Hunger Games” star Jennifer Lawrence is craving a quick sale of her New York City penthouse.
After listing the three-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom abode for $15.45 million in July, Lawrence recently dropped the price to $14.25 million. It looks like she’ll lose a bit of cash on the sale; she purchased the home in 2016 for $15.6 million.
We can see why J. Law was so drawn to this positively palatial property on the Upper East Side. For one thing, it’s massive. Inside there’s 4,073 square feet of modern, light-filled space thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows throughout. The top-of-the-line chef’s kitchen would be any cook’s dream come true, and the oversize soaking tub and glass walk-in shower are luxurious as ever. But the real crown jewel of this property is the two-floor landscaped outdoor space that’s ideal for entertaining thanks to ample seating, a built-in pingpong table, fireplace, and kitchen.
But, based on this price cut, it’s clear the star of “Red Sparrow” and “American Hustle” is ready to drop this property as soon as possible. The likely reason? It was rumored back in April that Lawrence and Cooke Maroney were hunting for a new nest. (The couple tied the knot last month.) She also owns a condo in New York City’s Tribeca (that she rents out) and a Beverly Hills, CA, home she purchased in 2014 for $8.2 million.
Will Jennifer Lawrence get her price?
The sizable price cut reveals that Lawrence is highly motivated to sell, but will the Hollywood A-lister get her price? The odds might not be in her favor.
“It’s a lovely penthouse in a good building at an OK location,” says real estate broker Martin Eiden of Compass Real Estate in New York. “The problem is, there are at least 100 other properties in this price range that have the same description. She bought it at the height of the market for $15.6 million. I’d advise to hold on if she could, or suffer a substantial loss and offer it at $12 million.”
Real estate agent Rowena DasGupta of Warburg Realty in New York agrees. The area is dominated by hospitals (e.g., Hospital for Special Surgery and New York–Presbyterian) and offers scant amenities, she continues, which could hurt Lawrence’s chances of selling at that price.
“Although this is a lovely building and unique duplex apartment, which boasts all the bells and whistles common these days for a luxury building, there are a few drawbacks,” DasGupta says. “The location for the price is not prime. That stretch of First Avenue in the East 60s has not changed much since the 1990s. It is drab, with very little to offer by way of great restaurants or other notable amenities, and seems a bit random.”
Still, a quieter neighborhood could be seen as a silver lining for other A-listers looking to keep a low profile.
With all that in mind, DasGupta says even the newly reduced price is a bit of a stretch.
“At that price point, there are many other compelling options available to buyers with far superior locations.”
Below, an inside look at J. Law’s gorgeous Upper East Side haven.
Talk about a room with a view!
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The penthouse boasts 3,000 square feet of outdoor space.
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A bedroom befitting a movie star
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The kitchen features Carrara marble countertops, Sub-Zero wine cooler and refrigerator, and a Gaggenau dishwasher.
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Billiards with the “American Hustle” star sounds like a good time.
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Catch some rays on this sun-soaked terrace.
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With a 12-foot ceiling and large windows, this living room feels airy and inviting.
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This soaking tub will make you feel like Hollywood royalty.
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A home-cooked meal and take-out are equally delicious when you have that view.
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Listing broker Pamela D’Arc of Compass declined to comment.
The quest for treasure—and trouble—will return when the seventh season of “The Curse of Oak Island” airs on the History Channel on Tuesday.
We don’t know if the crew will excavate the treasure vault in the “money pit” on Oak Island this season, but fans of the show will continue to watch the team dig and dig through the island off the coast of Nova Scotia.
However, we do know producer and resident engineer Craig Tester is ready to part with his own piece of treasure. He just listed his custom Michigan mansion for $3.75 million.
The waterfront home doesn’t boast a chest of gold coins and jewels, but it’s special in its own right. The 5,048-square-foot property is covered in windows, which means incredible West Bay views from any room.
And custom might be an understatement when describing this estate. From the front doors to the finishes in the living spaces to the spiral staircase to the sleek kitchen, everything was custom-built. These unique details make the mansion feel special. It’s a work of art, and it shows in the chandeliers, tiles, floors, and finishes.
Exterior
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Front entry
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Formal living space
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Kitchen
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Living space
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The kitchen is definitely something else, with futuristic Snaidero cabinets in a lilac shade, speckled slate countertops, and Miele appliances.
Indoor pool and spa
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Bathroom
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There are four bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, all of which feature a different style. Two of those bedrooms are found on the bottom level, which also includes a second kitchen and a pool and spa. Which means you can easily take a dip during cold Michigan winters.
Perhaps Tester is moving to Nova Scotia for good, or maybe he’s just ready to move on from this stunning house. Either way, this Michigan mansion is on the hunt for a buyer who treasures a waterfront gem.
DETROIT—A site on the edge of this city’s downtown sat for years with a half-built jail behind a chain-link fence, a remnant of the city’s prebankruptcy corruption and mismanagement.
Now, it is getting new life.
On Wednesday, city leaders plan to unveil a $300 million project on 14 acres that will include a University of Michigan research and education center for 1,000 students, a residential building, an incubator for startup companies and ultimately a hotel and conference center.
“Instead of 1,000 prisoners, we get 1,000 graduate students,” said Mayor Mike Duggan in an interview.
The project still needs some city and Wayne County approvals, but officials say construction could begin as soon as the end of next year.
Stephen Ross, chairman of the real-estate development company Related Cos. and principal owner of the Miami Dolphins football team, pitched the project to the mayor last summer by phone. He then recruited University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel.
Detroit lost a quarter of its population between 2000 and 2010, and it declared bankruptcy in 2013. The jail project faltered after allegations that Wayne County officials lied about construction costs.
More recently, the city has been on the rebound, and the Detroit-Warren-Livonia area’s August unemployment rate of 4.5% is less than a third of the level a decade ago. Many employers now say they have a shortage of workers with the right skills.
Mr. Ross said the concept for the innovation hub came from his experience on the board of Cornell Tech, a technology, business, law and design campus on Roosevelt Island in New York City. He has maintained ties to Detroit after living there as a child and graduating from the University of Michigan and becoming its biggest donor.
“Today, technology is what everyone is looking for,” Mr. Ross said. “This is a way of really retaining talent in Detroit.”
Mr. Ross said he would make a contribution to the new innovation hub, but he declined to say how much.
Other cities have tried to build incubators to reinvigorate downtowns and attract startups, sometimes with mixed results.
In addition to a 190,000-square-foot core academic building, there will be housing for graduate or midcareer students. Mr. Schlissel said professors have been thinking about how to develop courses in collaboration with companies, from entrepreneurship to cybersecurity.
As well as auto makers and financial companies, Microsoft Corp., Waymo, LinkedIn Corp. and other tech companies have offices in Detroit. “As opposed to coming to Ann Arbor and getting an M.B.A., we can work with the business community to design novel curricula,” Mr. Schlissel said.
Detroit has already had some success fostering new companies. A few blocks from the planned innovation hub, Detroit Venture Partners already hosts half a dozen startups in an open-floor office. A notable success is an e-commerce company called StockX, which reached a $1 billion valuation in June.
The new buildings will replace the half-built jail that became known as the “fail jail” and was torn down in 2018 after costs ballooned and about $160 million had been spent. Construction stopped in 2013 after cost overruns.
“It was an everyday reminder of the county’s worst days,” said Wayne County Executive Warren Evans. “From a psychological perspective, tearing that old jail site down was a major relief.”
Mr. Evans said that he doesn’t want the new set of university buildings to be “a stand-alone pristine entity” and that he would like to find ways to work with other local colleges.
A new jail will be built on a site outside downtown, along with headquarters for the county prosecutor and sheriff. The county will pay $380 million of the total $530 million cost of that project, and neither the city nor the county will contribute any money to the new innovation hub.
Bedrock, the real-estate company owned by Dan Gilbert, founder and chairman of Quicken Loans, is building the innovation hub. Mr. Gilbert’s Rock Ventures will pay the remaining $150 million on the new criminal justice complex and bear any cost overruns of that project.
Mr. Gilbert, who has led the redevelopment of much of the city’s downtown, opposed building the jail on the site. He proposed putting a professional soccer team there at one point.
Today, about half of the 14-acre site has been cleared and is covered with gravel. It sits near the city’s professional sports venues as well as the historic Greektown neighborhood and is just a few blocks from the heart of downtown.
The modern farmhouse style, popularized by Chip and Joanna Gaines on “Fixer Upper,” is at long last losing its luster among homeowners. So what’s taking its place? Its more urban cousin: industrial farmhouse!
That’s according to new research by Wayfair in partnership with Pinterest, where they tracked which materials and finishes people are searching for most on their sites. The hottest trends to date? Black fixtures (searches up 53% since last year), tin tiles and accessories (up 59%), and concrete farmhouse sinks (up 93%).
While modern farmhouse includes lots of white and shiny stainless surfaces, industrial farmhouse features more burnished finishes, darker mixed metals, and live-edge wooden pieces (a style where the edges aren’t straight, but show the shape that the tree would naturally take).
“Industrial farmhouse details also include walnut, antique brass with touches of tarnish, and tile with dark grout,” reports Sara Chiarilli, an interior designer with Artful Conceptions.
The industrial farmhouse trend is likely due to our cultural shift back to cities where there’s a focus on redeveloping old buildings.
“These structures often have features like exposed pipes, high window walls, and cement floors—and these are the same elements turning up in homes and public spaces,” explains Darla DeMorrow of HeartWork Organizing.
Tired of modern farmhouse, and ready to move onto a more industrial farmhouse design to your home? Here’s how to get the look.
Concrete sinks
Concrete is ultrachic and virtually indestructible.
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The finishes you choose and the incorporation of rustic elements are the two big differences between modern farmhouse and industrial farmhouse decor, says Drew Henry, founder of Design Dudes.
A brushed-metal or concrete sink, as shown above, fits the bill ($551, Wayfair). This piece also lends more interest to the kitchen than a shiny ceramic version, and its mottled patina will age well.
Geometric lights
Choose an industrial bulb for this elegant pendant light.
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Clean lines and exposed bulbs are just two reasons that searches for geometric lights are up 64%, according to Wayfair.
“Industrial farmhouse leans away from previous gritty, moody looks, and adds more bright white and repurposed glass,” says DeMorrow.
This brushed-metal geometric light is ideal over a kitchen island ($75, Wayfair).
Texture and pattern make tin tiles all the rage in an industrial farmhouse kitchen ($2.19 per square foot below, Wayfair). Even better, these come in nickel, copper, and black tones and can be cut with scissors for a fast DIY project.
Industrial farmhouse dovetails with the DIY trend because people want to be involved in their projects and love the idea of taking something found or old (or buying new versions that at least harken back to that idea) and using it in a new way, says Chiarilli.
These lightweight tiles are a breeze to install.
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Matte black fixtures
No fingerprints here! A matte material is easy to clean.
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Flat, matte finishes top shiny ones when it comes to faucet sets in an industrial farmhouse bathroom ($310, Wayfair).
“Exposed plumbing under a wall-mounted sink, rustic hardware on cabinets, and unique metal siding would also be appropriate in this type of home,” says Henry.
Patterned and mosaic tile
Choose natural stone tile in a bold color or more muted tones.
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Mosaic tiles for bathroom floors or backsplashes are the top choice for this trend, with searches up 65% ($17 per square foot, Wayfair). The variation in colors here and smooth finish make this a natural addition to an industrial farmhouse scheme.
As for countertops, granite and marble are also out in the kitchen (they were popular in modern farmhouse designs) and wood and industrial metal counters are in.
“This look isn’t for people who want everything to be perfect—it’s more for folks who like flea market finds, rough edges, and a space that feels lived-in,” explains Chiarilli.
Rustic tables and vintage rugs
Give an old rug new life in a mostly white room.
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“Don’t be afraid to keep your walls white and then let supercool vintage items be the highlights,” Chiarilli says.
For example, dig up an antique area rug ($56, Wayfair) with fun patterns and shades and then let that be the only pop of color in the space.
“It’s fine to overlay things and pick a few large accessories instead of many, because you want to achieve breathing room in your space,” she adds.
Open shelving
This pipe-and-wood combo is the ideal industrial detail.
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Open shelves are still king in the kitchen and elsewhere, especially when given an industrial twist with thick wooden planks and supports made from pipes ($185, Wayfair).
According to Wayfair, white-hot industrial shelving helps to create wall space and a lighter, more minimalist look.
HGTV fans, take note! Leanne Ford—star of “Restored by the Fords”—is selling her restored home in Sewickley, PA, for $1.3 million.
For folks unfamiliar with the popular home improvement show, the series follows Ford and her brother as the siblings refresh older Pittsburgh-area homes.
Ford’s personal abode is no exception. Her trademark design flourishes are evident in the move-in ready, midcentury modern gem.
Located in a Pittsburgh suburb on a tree-filled lot, the updated space includes four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and 1,960 square feet. Built in 1950, the home is a standout in more ways than one. “Pittsburgh has its share of midcentury,” says Ford, “But it is unique to the Sewickley area, which makes it extra special!”
That’s not the only thing about this place that’s special. Let’s take a look inside…
Leanne Ford’s restored Pennsylvania home
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Indoor/outdoor space
The property is set on over 5 acres, and its woodsy feeling is enhanced by custom bi-fold doors. Ford added the glass elements to allow great views of woods from both floors of the home. A huge deck provides abundant outdoor living space.
Deck and doors
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Airy and bright
Inside, the white color palette from floor to ceiling creates a sense of lightness and makes the smaller footprint appear more expansive. Highlights include a locally handcrafted white oak sculptural staircase, artisanal concrete walls, and fresh white PPG paint (inside and out). Plus, the exposed brick has been painted white, and new white oak floors run throughout.
Black-and-white line drawings are a favored touch placed around the space. And a singular chair can be found in a corner, which works both as a cool conversation piece and as practical seating.
Illuminating light fixtures
In the open kitchen, a collection of dramatic gold pendants hang over the marble waterfall island. The lighting choices dazzle around the house, including oversized Isamu Noguchi fixtures. To reflect and brighten the entire space, mirrors are strategically placed throughout.
The lovely layout also includes a master suite on the lower level, which includes a master bath with heated concrete floor, double showerhead, steam room, marble waterfalled vanities, and a walk-in closet.
If you love the look, you’re in luck. “The home can come fully or partially furnished,” Ford says. “I’m happy to work with the homeowner!”
She adds that along with the “steam room and the massive luxury kitchen,” she’ll most miss “living in the woods with no neighbors. We love to take walks in the fields and woods around Sewickley. This place has been an incredible getaway for us.”
Kitchen
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Quick fixes
Like the face-lift of her L.A. pad, the update of this home must have happened in a flash. According to real estate records, the property changed hands in August last year for $750,500.
There’s more. Along with the revamp, practical improvements that aren’t visible have also been made.Infrastructure updates include new electrical and plumbing, a new furnace, AC, ductwork, a water heater, plus water and air purification.
The shade of a shocking pink-and-white house in Chicago has been likened to Pepto Bismol, Barbie, and bubble gum. Now, this blush landmark in the Windy City has charmed up enough clicks to be named this week’s most popular home.
According to the Chicago Tribune, when the Andersen family bought the home in 1986, it was actually painted dark green. The Rev. Isiah Andersen was a pastor who loved to work around the house, and his wife, Wilhelmina, loved pink. He proceeded to transform the home into a cotton candy confection that became an iconic part of the neighborhood landscape.
However, since the death of Rev. Andersen a few years ago, the family has struggled to maintain the property on the city’s West Side. They’ve been looking for a buyer for over a year, and the home is still on the market for a measly $160,000.
Listing agent Jeanne Keating started a GoFundMe in July to raise the money necessary to help keep the family in place until a buyer can be found. She’s only raised $3,535 thus far, but the house continues to draw a crowd—as evidenced by this week’s clicks.
Those homes are ready for a buyer to move right in—but if there’s anyone out there interested in taking on a real estate investment project with the potential of energizing an entire neighborhood, the popular pink-and-while house in Chicago is in serious need of a hero.
While you ponder your rescue abilities, have a look at all of this week’s most popular homes and be tickled pink…
Why it’s here: Finished this year, this 10-bedroom, 15,000-square-foot house is the most expensive home on the market in Encino. Walls of glass highlight the home’s surroundings, and the property is centered on an historic oak tree, bringing the indoors and outdoors together in harmony. The picture-perfect grounds were designed by Jae Omar Design, and the property’s pool, guesthouse, and main house are all arrayed around the ancient oak for a luxurious Zen experience, inside and out.
Why it’s here:Tom Brady‘s massive family home continues to scramble up and down our chart. His decision to call an audible and cut $6 million from the price at the beginning of the month has given the listing a bit of a boost.
Why it’s here: Modern farmhouse isn’t the style that leaps to mind when you think of Santa Fe, but this cool home fits right in. Built in 1994, the open, colorful, and airy three-bedroom residence sits on 5 acres filled with aspen trees. Fun features include a sun porch, dry sauna, and plenty of outdoor entertaining spaces.
Why it’s here: Live where you work! Barn life looks beautiful in this single-bedroom, 800-square-foot barndominium sitting on over 6 acres, with a deep well, pole barn, and covered porches. Inside, the barndominium features custom cabinetry and a generous living room.
Why it’s here: Bay Area bliss! This multilevel contemporary house built in 2018 has been featured in Dwell Magazine, according to the listing details. It oozes sophistication, from its European herringbone white-oak floors to its fantastic kitchen and 20-foot ceilings. The 3-acre property also includes a detached guest suite or studio and three-stall barn.
Why it’s here: The bargain of the week. Built in 1890, this four-bedroom house is full of history and priced for less than a luxury car. The interiors will require some work—the bathroom needs to be finished and there’s plaster work to be completed, but the place is priced to leave room in the budget for upgrades.
Why it’s here: This midcentury time capsule is on the market for the first time since 1960! And this gem still shines. Everything appears as it must have decades ago across the groovy home’s more than 1,800 square feet. Outdoors, the yard includes fruit trees, a mature garden, and a covered deck for entertaining.
Why it’s here: Everyone needs a starter home—even future NBA superstars. All-Star Russell Westbrookpurchased this place in 2008 at the very beginning of his pro career. The brick three-bedroom is a lot nicer than a typical starter home, but Westbrook has ascended to bigger and better mansions.
Why it’s here: The listing details on this historic cedar shake home, which dates to the Civil War, are a must-read. You’ll be introduced to homeowners Louis and Sheila and receive a guided tour of their one-of-a-kind home. The charming three-bedroom storybook home is a bit of a fairy tale come true. As Louis says, “After a drink or two, Sheila and I can really fool ourselves into believing we are Hansel and Gretel!”
Why it’s here: Pink houses for you … and me? This iconic Victorian on the West Side of Chicago has fallen into disrepair since its owner passed away a few years ago. It’s been on the market for a year, but the listing perked up this week with some serious social sharing activity. The interior photos show that the living spaces are just as flush with the pink.
Facing a cash crunch, the family who own it need to rehab the five-bedroom home or find a buyer in a hurry.
