Celeb R.E.: Former Smokey Robinson's Home Originally Built in 1884 Koreatown and Moved to Encino Hits the Market

Celeb R.E.: Former Smokey Robinson's Home Originally Built in 1884 Koreatown and Moved to Encino Hits the Market

Tuesday, December 9, 2014 / No Comments

Images courtesy Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Barely one week ago, I was blogging about Smokey Robinson's Chatsworth mansion hitting the market when all of a sudden I get notice that Robinson's former Encino mansion has also hit the market like its some sort of coordinated action to sell all things related to Smokey. For those that dont know, Smokey Robinson is an R&B singer-songwriter legend who started with Motown and has laid down roots in the SFV going back to the 80's and possibly more. 

The home measures 5 Beds/5.5 Baths on 6,556 sqft on a total lot size of 1.54 acres built in 1912. According to the fine folks at Survey LA, this home was originally built in 1884 in Koreatown and was moved to Encino in 1912, hence the 1912 build date, which makes it the oldest home in the neighborhood and highy unique. The seller who is a non-celebrity is asking for $5,995,000 on December 4, 2014. The listing description states:

Exquisite Colonial/Plantation style home in this S. of the blvd neighborhood. This gated home has been updated to today?s standards yet maintains that classic old world style & charm. Greeted by immense grounds & the look & feel of being on the Gone with the wind movie set. Enter the iron gates to the brick lined circular driveway with plenty of parking in the motor court plus a 4 car garage. This dream home has a formal foyer highlighted by dark hardwood floors that run throughout the much of the home + beautiful art deco style crown molding. The main floor has formal Living, Dining & Family rooms + a beautiful country French kitchen + separate guest unit. This home was originally built in 1880 & moved from Los Angeles to its current Encino location in 1912 & was Smokey Robinson's personal residence. The current owners spared no expense on the upgrading & updating from Electrical to plumbing & more? There is a home theater, a gym/dance studio, a sauna & wine cellar. The master suite is like no other w/ 2 sitting rooms, fully appointed bathroom, steam room & a huge walk-in closet. The grounds are amazing. There are several sitting gazebo?s & porches. Huge park like grounds w/ mature landscaping, updated pool & spa plus a meditation area and putting green.

This home was purchased by Smokey on March 28, 1988 for $1,422,000 and later sold to the current owners for $2,300,000 on May 3, 2002. Although the home is extremely interesting and unique, its is priced at nearly double the price per sqft of most homes in the neighborhood which makes any sale at this price point not for the faint of heart. Something tells me there will be price reductions. 

You can view more SFV Celeb R.E. here and Architecture and R.E. here. 

Celeb R.E.: Smokey Robinson Lists Chatsworth Mansion

Celeb R.E.: Smokey Robinson Lists Chatsworth Mansion

Monday, December 1, 2014 / No Comments

Images courtesy Calloway Real Estate.

Image courtesy Bing Maps

The fine folks at Zillow Blog first broke the news of Motown singing legend, Smokey Robinson's Chatsworth mansion listing. The 74 year old R&B singer is best known for being the front man of The Miracles and his solo hits for "Cruisin" (1979), "Being With You" (1981), and "Just to See Her" (1987). 

Smokey listed property on November 24, 2014 for $7,990,000 which measures 6 Beds/5 Baths on 9,075 sqft on a total lot size of 2.56 acres built in 1991. The home is located in the Indian Springs gated community in the Oat Mountain area of Chatsworth and is known as the location where Smokey would go to write songs during his time of ownership. The listing description states: 

Spectacular celebrity estate in prestigious guard gated Indian Springs. The celebrity estate embodies elegant architecture. Behind the gates are six bed and six bath within the 9075 sf estate. 3 STORY DOMED ENTRY W/ SWEEPING STAIRCASE INTRODUCES YOU INTO A MASTER PIECE OF QUALITY & DESIGN. 4 Breathtaking spacious family rooms, large mstr bdrm w/ balcony & patio, lavish bath w/ sauna & fp, 3 gourmet kitchens, a sauna, 35mm sound proof theater w/ family room & kitchen. There is a wine cellar, guest-maid quarters, and a workshop. Also a 2000 sq ft guesthome; 1+1+kitchen. There are so many extras in this elegant home! 10 fire places, cherry wood floors, gym, rolling lawns, water falls, rock formations, pool/spa entertainment areas. Prequel buyers only. Sold furnished 4more$.

Smokey purchased this property for $2.7 million on June 21, 2002 which translates into a massive gain of $5,290,000 before any expenses. If sold at that price, I think that might be a record for the Chatsworth area. But something tells me that there will be price reductions because back in 2005, he tried to sell for $10.5 million and again in 2007 for $9,999,999. 

Top image courtesy RE/Max Olson & Associates. Bottom image courtesy Bing Maps.

In addition to the above mentioned home, Smokey recently sold a vacant lot (shown above) in the same gated community which measures 2 acres. The property records are a bit sketchy but it looks like Smokey paid $938K on July 2, 2004 and just sold for $915K on August 1, 2014 representing a minor loss of $23K not including expenses. The property was last listed for $1.3 million on April 30, 2013. Part of the reason for the significant reduction is that Smokey received a notice of trustee's sale in November 2012 but that appears to have been resolved. 

Image courtesy Bing Maps

Prior to the Chatsworth home, Smokey was living in a unique Encino home (shown above) measuring 7 Beds/6 Baths on 6,556 sqft on a total lot size of 1.54 acres built in 1912. The unique part is that the Survey LA recognized the following: 

Excellent example of early residential development in Encino. Research indicates that residence was originally built in 1884, on a site in what is now known as Koreatown, and moved to current site in 1912. As such it predates nearly all other residential development in the area.

Smokey purchased this home on March 28, 1988 for $1,422,000 and sold on May 3, 2002 for $2.3 million representing an $878K gain. [Update December 8, 2014]: This home hit the market shortly after publishing this post with pics and details can be viewed here. [End Update]. 

Images courtesy Coldwell Banker

Image courtesy Bing Maps

In addition to the Chatsworth home, Smokey appears to be going through some sort of a liquidation sale as he is also selling a Gibsonia, Pennsylvania home for $1.3 million (shown above). The home measures 5 Beds/4.5 Baths on 4,034 sqft built in 2004. The home was purchased on July 2006 for $1,135,000 and was first listed on August 9, 2014 for $1,450,000 where the price has already dropped to $1.3 million as of October 3, 2014. 

Image courtesy Bing Maps

The reason for the all of the recent sales is not known but Smokey still owns a Las Vegas home (shown above)  which might be his retirement home. This home measures 6 Beds/8 Baths on 9,343 sqft on a total lot size of 0.42 acres built in 2003. Smokey picked up this home on February 23, 2005 for $3,850,000. 

Image courtesy Bing Maps

And as a bonus, Smokey's first wife, Claudette, who he divorced in 1986, maintains a Beverly Hills home (shown above) that might have originally been owned by Smokey but I cannot verify. The home measures 5 Beds/5 Baths on 6,239 sqft on a total lot size of 0.34 acres built in 1937 and possibly purchased in the 70's or 80's. 

You can view more SFV Celeb R.E. here.