About West Hollywood's Sunset Strip Area

Since my discovery of the Edward Fickett architectural condominium arrangement perched above the Sunset Strip, I have been absolutely obsessed with this building. As I had detailed in a recent post in December and not to sound like a broken record, there is just something very special about this building. From the mid century architecture to the amazing views and location, there is nothing that encapsulates the LA dream like this property.

This is the largest unit in the building at 2990 sq ft. Unless marble is your thing, the unit is obviously going to need an overhaul to get it where you want it to be. I am picturing this with slick hardwood floors, an updated kitchen, redone baths and you will have a showplace. A home like this is truly for the rich kid who wants the benefits of owning a house in the hills with enhanced security and without having to keep up with the maintenance. Although a little 80's in it's "greenhouse" shape, the sun room has tremendous potential for an indoor/outdoor living room. I am a swimming fanatic, so if it were my place I could see myself installing one of those swim spas where you can swim laps against a water current and then surround that with some uber chic lounge beds like you might see at Sky Bar.

From a cost analysis perspective, unit #5 has had another reduction to $739,000 at 1280 sq ft. This breaks down to roughly $577/sq ft. Unit 7 listed at $995,000 with roughly 3000 sq ft breaks down to $331/sq ft, which is quite low for the area. This obviously reflects the fact that the seller recognizes that this is a fixer and most buyers are going to have pour substantial funds to redo. I would love to see someone snatch this up around $925,000 and then put in $70,000 to update it. For the right price and right buyer with a decorative flair, I think this could be a killer opportunity to create something amazing. The only thorn in this units side is the $966/month HOA dues - OUCH!

8341 West Sunset Blvd, Unit 7, West Hollywood, CA 90069 - 2br/2ba, Roughly 2990 sq ft - $995,000

ED FICKETT, A.I.A. DESIGNED THIS VISUALLY STUNNING BUILDING, AND THIS UNIT IS THE CROWN JEWEL. PERCHED ON A PRIVATE, GATED STREET JUST ABOVE SUNSET, THIS PROPERTY IS AN AMAZING COMBINATION OF SPACE, LOCATION AND STYLE. THE UNIT ITSELF IS THREE STORIES; THE MASTER SITS ALONE ON THE TOP FLOOR. KITCHEN, LIVING ROOM AND GREAT GLASS-ENCLOSED PATIO ON THE MAIN FLOOR, WITH A VERY LARGE BEDROOM SUITE ON THE BOTTOM FLOOR, OPENING OUT TO AN INVITING POOL. CITY VIEWS, PRIVATE COURTYARD ENTRANCE. Listed by Deasy Penner and Partners

As I have referenced in a previous post, I have really been digging the new Melrose Place. Is it trashy - yes! Are the bisexual undertones a cheap ploy for ratings - yes! Has Heather Locklear had so much botox that she talks like I was talking after I had a deep cleaning at the dentist with mouth completely shot up with novocaine the other day - hell yes (agents and clients who spoke with me that day know what I am talking about)! What does this have to do with today's hot prop - not much other than if you truly want to live the real life Melrose Place experience, this building is it.

Like I always say, I have literally seen every single condo in the West Hollywood/Sunset Strip area and trust me, there are many exqusite units that I would happily live in if I could! The condo I am featuring today has one word to describe it - special. Located behind gates perched above Sunset Blvd with Carney's (chili cheese anything is my weakness) right below and The Standard directly across the street, I have never seen anything like the building I am about to describe. Designed by mid century architecture mastermind, Edward Ficket, this seven unit building is shaped like a crescent with two levels of units consisting of walls of paned glass and French doors leading out to the pool below. Back to the Melrose reference, the brick encased pool is the centerpiece of the building facing the city lights of the Strip with amazing views of The Sunset Tower Hotel (formally The Argyle). It's almost as if a Hollywood Hills mansion was subdivided into 7 condos - truly a stunning building. What's remarkable is that you are a 1 minute walk to Sunset, but once in the building you are completely removed from the noise below.

IInside features 3 fireplaces, dark hardwood floors, a recently redone kitchen with top of the line appliances, chic fixtures, a guest bedroom with large loft space, and lots of pocket doors giving you options on how to create the "flow" within the unit. The price was just reduced from $799,000 to $765,000 making this a great deal. The turnover is extremely low here and if a condo does happen to rent, it is in the $4000 plus range. If you are looking for the epitome of the fabulous LA life and in my humble opinion a solid investment, this is it.

8341 West Sunset Blvd #5, West Hollywood, CA 90069 - 2br/2ba, Roughly1280 sq ft - $765,000

DESIGNER DONE! LIGHT & BRIGHT, TOTALLY REMODELED ARCHITECTURAL PERCHED ABOVE THE SUNSET STRIP ON A PRIVATE GATED DRIVE IN A 7 UNIT BUILDING DESIGNED BY EDWARD FICKETT. FEATURES INCLUDE NEW SNAIDERO KITCHEN W/GAGGENAU APPLIANCES, DESIGNER BATHS W/LIMESTONE & CARRERA MARBLE, CUSTOM LIGHT FIXTURES, CUSTOM CLOSETS, 3 FIREPLACES, DARK HARDWOOD FLOORS, WASHER/DRYER, NEW HEAT & A/C, HUGE STORAGE UNIT, 2 SIDE X SIDE PARKING, AMAZING POOL & PATIOS WITH INCREDIBLE VIEWS. WALK TO SUNSET STRIP! Listed by Keller Williams Sunset Strip

I feel like this is Oprah's "My Favorite Things Week", but instead of giving you the latest Dustbuster (do they even make thoseanymore) or Panini Maker, I am treating you to some of my favorite streets/neighborhoods that you may not be aware of. This is especially for the newer rich kids who haven't discovered these hidden gems of residential living in the heart of everything.

Much like Nichols Canyon, Marmont Ave/Lane is a mish mash of smaller homes in the 1-2 million dollar range as well as large, architectural properties that can price at 3 million and up. The streets of Marmont lie right behind the famed Chateau Marmont, a fabled Hollywood landmark. Affairs to remember, overdose related deaths we wish to forget, and everything in between have happened at this hotel. It's a wonderful place to grab dinner on the outside terrace or have a drink by the pool. It's old school Hollywood glamour at it's best.

What I like about this area is that again, it's somewhat hidden yet in the midst of everything. In contrast to Nichols, Marmont has less of a woodsy vibe to it and is more of a traditional Hollywood Hills neighborhood. Right now there are currently four active listings ranging from $1,097,750 for a 22oo sq ft fixer that is in probate to a 3,500 sq ft - 4br/4.5ba, well done Mediterranean for $4,495,000. Right now the average days on the market for these listings are about 3 months. Two of these have been on the market for 200 days each, with a cost per square foot of $1284 and $1032. These homes are definitely priced on the very high end of the spectrum and rival an updated home in the Beverly Hills flats at these prices if not higher. Side note - if you are on the market for more than 6 months with the same list price and you haven't sold, with all due respect to the sellers/agents - it's time to reduce and relaunch!

The streets behind the the Chateau have always in high demand because of the views they offer, as well as the close proximity to the best parts of Sunset Blvd. There have been two sales thus far on Marmont Ave/Lane since January 1, 2009. A partially updated tudor style ranch with 2119 sq ft for $949,000 and then a slick, gated mid century compound with pool and 2640 sq ft of living space for $1,856,650. The average days on the market for these two homes was just about two months, which for 2009 is exceptional. When pricing a home for a client or figuring out what to offer with a buyer there are premiums and intangibles that go into it that magic number besides just price per square foot, but this is always a good place to start. The blended average of these two sales was about $575/sq ft.

Although I focus a lot on slick, contemporary properties, I am also a huge sucker for traditional Spanish style homes with tons of character. I was driving the streets of Marmont one caravan last April with no real goal other than to pull over to talk my best friend off a ledge due to her dramatic relationship with her boyfriend. I stumbled upon 8265 Marmont and instantly fell in love. I made it a Hot Prop of the Day back then (click on the address for a detailed review and the rather funny story) and is still in my mind as a property that I would one day love to purchase. It just feels so special from the inside and out - it's hard to describe. You just know when you love a property. For whatever reason, it expired from the market with a subsequent reduction to $1,550,000 ($100,000 less from when I wrote the blog entry). I'll leave you with the pictures of this property and the hope that we will see it on the market again sometime soon or that it sold to someone who loves it as much as I do!

If you are a rich kid with no limits to what you can spend and want the ultimate in LA chic, than this is the unit and building for you. Sierra Towers is considered to be the most prestigious full service high rise building in Los Angeles. Consisting of 146 units, nestled on the border of Beverly Hills right before you hit the Sunset Strip, this loan tower stands by itself as the epitome of luxury living. The moment you pull up, well dressed valet quickly escort you into the lobby and a front desk concierge attendant is quick to greet you. With no buttons to the elevators, you must check in before you are allowed to even enter the rest of the building. Your every whim will be taken care of whether you need groceries delivered to your unit, your dog walked - basically you name it (well, not that) and they will take care of it for you. You will be paying a premium for such pampering with an HOA bill of $1813 per month.

Once you walk through the doors of today's Hot Prop, you will instantly know why I call it The Orgy Pad. The owner converted one of the bedrooms into a massive bed/couch area that could easily seat 20 and is literally bigger than anything I have ever seen. There are two skull ash trays that are on either side of this lair, perfect for entertaining and fulfilling your most lascivious fantasies. This is definitely one of the most beautiful condos I have been in...ever. There are floor to ceiling windows through out, dark hardwood floors, remote control everything, Poliform kitchen, and beautiful mosaic tile bathrooms with plasma TV's. The views are so spectacular from this unit that you feel almost as if you are hanging off the end of the building. I will let the the pictures speak for themselves. Check out the virtual tour here.

9225 Doheny Rd, Unit 806, West Hollywood, CA 90069 - 2br/2ba, Roughly1845 Sq Ft - $2,695,000

SIERRA TOWERS, THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS AND DESIRED FULL SERVICE HIGH RISE IN LOS ANGELES. GREAT VIEWS OF THE SUNSET STRIP, DOWNTOWN AND THE OCEAN. REBUILT FROM THE GROUND UP, THIS UNIT HAS CRESTRON FULL HOME AUTOMATION, POLIFORM KITCHEN AND THE HIGHEST QUALITY FINISHES. IT DOESN'T GET BETTER THAN THIS. CURRENTLY CONFIGURED AS 1 BED 2 BATH. CAN EASILY BE CONVERTED BACK TO 2 BED Listed by Westside Estate Agency

I have been to 999 Doheny on several occasions to check out units for either lease clients or potential buyers. Typically I always end up leaving disappointed, as I have not once seen a unit in the building that I or anyone I know would be interested in. Whenever people ask my opinion of this high rise, I am usually quick to dismiss it for the reasons I just mentioned above. I think the building is very well kept, the location is superb, and it definitely exudes that full service lifestyle. Ultimately I came to the conclusion that there just wasn't much that would work at 999 Doheny for my rich kids that are in the $700,000 and under price point, so I basically wrote it off. Today's real estate/life lesson: never write something or someone off because they or it might pleasantly surprise you!

I happened to have stumbled upon this unit while looking for a client of mine who is ready to purchase his first bachelor pad. What really floored me was the views throughout the unit. They are absolutely incredible! This specific condo felt like a junior version of what one might see at Sierra Towers, which is the ultimate in views and luxury living. With such features as cherry hardwood floors, Viking and Sub Zero appliances, expansive balcony, and floor to ceiling windows with explosive city views, this unit is hard to beat for the price. The building itself has such amenities as 24 hour concierge/security (they are hard core), pool, and basic cable included in the HOA's. This is the life where you have martini's at sunset on the balcony before walking over to the new BOA for steaks and a night cap!

999 Doheny Drive, Unit 601, West Hollywood, CA 90069 - 1br/1ba, Roughly 970 sq ft - $699,000

Gorgeous & absolute move-in condition. Two zone air/conditioning. Wide-planked Cherry hardwood flooring. Viking & Sub-Zero appliances, custom cabinetry, granite counter-tops, tremendous custom walk in closet. New sliding patio doors to 36+ ft. long patio with 180 degree views to Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills, Century City and beyond. Custom shower with frame-less doors, bronze fixtures. Bring a toothbrush and move right in. Listed by The Desert Connection Realtors