Celebrity Real Estate: Publicist to the Stars, the late Warren Cowan, Lists in Encino

Celebrity Real Estate: Publicist to the Stars, the late Warren Cowan, Lists in Encino

Monday, February 4, 2013 / No Comments

[Update March 17, 2013]: This home sold for $2 million on March 14, 2013 representing a gain of $201,000 from original asking price of $1,799,000 back on February 1 which was completed in roughly 1.5 months. 

[Original Post]:

Above image courtesy Prudential California Realty

Fresh on the MLS is a Mid Century Modern home located in Encino owned by the late Warren Cowan who was the perennial publicist to essentially everyone in Hollywood. Cowan may not be a household name but he has literally worked with everyone in the industry. From his wikipedia page:

Rogers & Cowan became the biggest entertainment PR firm in the world.^[1] With a list of clients that reads like the entertainment industry's "Who's Who," Cowan represented just about every major star of the late 20th century, from Paul Newman to Elizabeth Taylor, from Danny Kaye to Kirk Douglas, from Frank Sinatra to Tony Curtis, from Shirley MacLaine to Elton John.^[2] Whenever he was asked to name his favorite client, Cowan's constant answer was always "the next one."^[3]

And from a NY Times obituary:

Even an abbreviated list of his celebrity clients over the years is eye-popping. It includesPaul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, Tony Curtis, Shirley MacLaine, Gene Kelly, Lucille Ball, Jennifer Jones, Steve McQueen, Jack Lemmon, Danny Kaye, Natalie Wood, Merv Griffin, Clint Eastwood, Audrey Hepburn, Danielle Steele, Peter Ustinov, Michael Jackson and the Doors.

Unfortunately, Warren Cowan passed away on May 14, 2008 at the age of 87. He was survived by his wife Barbara Gilbert Cowan who had two daughters that were actresses, Melissa (who has been trying to offload her Tarzana home) and Sara Gilbert.

The home was listed on February 1, 2013 for $1,799,000 which measures 5 Beds/5.5 Baths on 4,966 sqft on a total lot size of 0.55 acres built in 1951. The listing description states:

No showings until Broker's tour 02/05/13 11-2. Gated 1-story Mid-Century compound in prime Royal Oaks with limitless possibilities! Gracious formal living and dining rooms features walls of glass overlooking ultra-private grounds shaded by mature trees and lush landscaping. Celebrity style master suite with his & hers baths and massive walk-in closets. All bedrooms are en-suite. Family room opens to covered outdoor living/dining room. Over half an acre of park-like grounds with grassy yard, pool, sport court and rare 2 bed-2 bath detached guest house with fireplace. A magical setting in a a true close to all estate neighborhood. Bring your contractor and get ready to take this estate to the next level!

Cowan's family first listed this home on the market for back on April 4, 2012 for $2,350,000 which was later changed to $1,950,000 on June 22, 2012. At that time the listing was removed for an unknown reasons which has now been listed at the much reduced price of $1,799,000 representing a massive drop of $551,000. I am not sure when Cowan purchased this property which appears to be his long time home but the property records show a transaction taking place on November 29, 1982 so its possible that is the date of the first purchase but I cannot confirm so dont quote me. 

The Cowan family  faces some serious competition as the Encino market has been hit lately with high priced celebrity homes which are currently available:

1. Shirley Jones of the Partridge Family is currently available for $2.1 million.
2. The late Fred Travalena's long time Encino home currently listed at $1,425,000. 
3. David Hasselhoff's long time Encino Mansion currently priced at $3,795,000.
4. Joe Simpson's Royal Oaks Mansion which is currently listed for $4,395,000
5. The former Al Jolson Estate which was owned by Charlie Sheen at one time is listed for $6.5 million. 
6. The former home of Selena Gomez is available for $3,699,0000.  Just sold for $3.5 million.
7. Heidi Saban Stills (father is billionaire Haim Saban) home is available for $2,999,000. 
8. The former Macy Gray home is available for $5.9 million.
9. The former Joey Lawrence home is available for $2.250 million. 

There are many celebrities who previously or currently call Encino home like Tori Spelling (former), Scott Baio (former), the Jackson Family compound, Leighton Meester, Annette Funicello's fire destroyed home, Brian Bloom, Tamar Braxton and Vincent Herbert (former), Vampire Diaries Director (former), Jennifer Morrison (former), Dave Grohl, Donald Penn, and Shirley MacLaine (former) to name a few (or several).

You can view more Celebrity Real Estate here.

Celebrity Real Estate: Bruce Boxleitner and Melissa Gilbert Offloading Tarzana Crib

Celebrity Real Estate: Bruce Boxleitner and Melissa Gilbert Offloading Tarzana Crib

Wednesday, September 7, 2011 / No Comments

[Update March 17, 2013]: The Tarzana home of Bruce Boxleitner and Melissa Gilbert has finally sold on March 15, 2013 for $839,999 which was first listed back on January 28, 2011 at $1,349,000. Since that first listing, the asking price has been reduced numerous times for the past two years which also included a lease option. The home was originally purchased at the peak of the market for $1,260,000 on May 11, 2005 representing a massive loss of $420,001. I have no idea where Boxleitner and Gilbert are moving to but hopefully they still call the Valley home. 

[Original Post]:

The SFValleyblog was alerted by the always hilarious Your Mama at the Realestalker via the Trulia Luxe Living blog about the struggling and rather lengthy attempt by celebs Melissa Gilbert of Little House on the Prairie and former SAG President fame and her husband, Bruce Boxleitner, writer for Tron, Scarecrow, and Mrs. King, to sell their Tarzana home located in the exclusive South of the Blvd locale which borders Mecca St (Reseda Blvd).

This property boasts 5 Beds/4.5 Baths on 4,609sqft on a total acreage of 0.37 which was built back in the booming years of 1955. This property is at the end of a cul-de-sac with a 1309 sqft guest house (which is included in the total sqft), vaulted ceilings, pool centered between main house and guest house, and possible RV parking. 

This home is currently listed at $1,195,000 but was originally listed at $1,349,000 back on January 28, 2011, relisted on Feb 28 for the same price, dropped to $1,295,000 on March 20, and then dropped to the current price on July 7 in what is known as "chasing the market down." The Boxleitner's (by the way, call me crazy but I have this fascination with repeating that last name) purchased this property on May 11, 2005 for $1,260,000. If the home were to sell today at the current list price, the Boxleitner's would be facing a $65k loss not including commissions, fees, taxes, renovations, and any other RE expenses. Prior to this purchase, the Boxleitner's lived on Mulholland Highway in Malibu which they purchased in March 1999 for $1,250,000 and then selling near the peak in May 2005 for $2.2 million representing less than a million gain not including all the other expenses. Not bad for 6 years time!

As I have mentioned before if you having been following this blog, a lot of celebrities these days are trying to sell their homes near or above the national real estate peak years (2005 - 2007) price level. While the rest of main street has suffered anywhere from 30 - 50% losses, somehow celebrities are trying to offload at minor gains or marginal losses. Maybe the high end is where the money is at. Real Estate is a tricky business and not for everyone. We wish luck to the Boxleitner's with their sale (which did I mention are going through a divorce to complicate this whole transaction) but as you can tell from the listing history, this house isnt getting much love, so seems like this price is a tad bit inflated for the current market conditions. Thats just my 2 cents. You can read about the other celebrities trying to offload their properties in Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and Encino at the Celebrity R.E. section.