Celebrities Who Want it All – Including Next Door!
By Heather Scott on 10 May 2013
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After recently making headlines for her drunk and disorderly conduct in Atlanta, actress Reese Witherspoon is back in the news.
The Oscar-winning star has purchased another neighbour’s home (that’s right, this isn’t the first time). Last year, after searching Los Angeles for a new home with husband talent agent Jim Toth, the couple decided to expand their current home instead. Located in the sought-after community of Brentwood, their initial 7,000 square-foot residence was purchased in 2003 for $4.725 when Witherspoon was still married to ex-husband actor Ryan Philippe. In 2009, the actress purchased the house next door before razing it to the ground, creating a new backyard for her family. After purchasing another nearby property for $3 million in December 2012, the complex grew to a total 1.32 acres. There is no word yet on the fate of her latest purchase, which comprises a 1950s residence, a pool and a unique glass artist’s studio/guest house, but odds are it isn’t long for this world.
Witherspoon has also been trying to sell her seven acre horse ranch in Ojai, an hour and a half north of Los Angeles. The actress listed the Wallace Neff designed property at $10 million in October 2012 after it was featured on the cover of Elle Decor magazine in July for its extensive renovations and interior design. But in March this year the Walk the Line star dropped $2.75 million off the asking price in the hopes of getting a quick sale. The house provided the setting for Witherspoon’s marriage to Toth last March.
Buying up the neighbour’s property is certainly one way to stop paparazzi peeking over the fence. It seems to be a bit of a trend among celebrities to purchase neighbouring land in order to create high-priced ‘compounds’ to retreat into.
Joaquin Phoenix, another gossip magazine favourite, purchased his neighbour’s house back in March for a cool $1.39 million. The two houses sit in the Hollywood Hills, another star-studded neighbourhood known for its breathtaking views of the city. Phoenix’s new purchase joins the $4.84 million existing abode he bought back in 2006.
The Jolie-Pitt family bought the property next to their Los Feliz, LA compound for $1.1 million back in 2010 to cater for their ever-expanding brood. Kate Hudson is another culprit; in June 2011 the actress forked out $5.3 million for a 7,000 square foot Tudor-style mansion next door to her Pacific Palisades house.
Only in Hollywood could this be a regular practice…
