Celeb R.E. Akon Calling It Quits In Woodland Hills After 11 Months

Celeb R.E. Akon Calling It Quits In Woodland Hills After 11 Months

Thursday, July 10, 2014 / No Comments

Images courtesy Coldwell Banker Previews

International hip-hop star, Akon, has decided to bail out of his newest acquisition after barely living 11 months in his Woodland Hills home located "south of the blvd." The always informative Lauren Beale at LA Times Hot Property first revealed on July 9, 2014 that this home was listed off-market for $3.5 million or $4 million including furniture and recording studio equipment. At the time of writing this post, the home was not listed on the MLS and might be a pocket listing. The listing description states:

Float on into Heaven, a private, secure, gated and recently reimagined modernist dream home. You have arrived. The day is done. Seamless indoor-outdoor living has begun. Twilight. Wade into the beach entry heated pool or ease your body and mind in the swirling whirling spa as flames from the three firepits light up the night sky and the cascading fountain flows. Grab a beverage from the indoor-outdoor bar and head on up to the upper patio. Dinner, freshly grilled and prepared in the outdoor kitchen, awaits. Surrender. Unwind. Sleep. Dream. Morning, awake. Sun beams through floor to soaring ceiling window walls and sliding doors. Breakfast, brilliantly prepared in the commercial grade gourmet kitchen, is served and savored on the poolside patio. Lifted. Inspired. Enlivened. Alive. Music, the muse, beckons. The sound. The soul. The studio. This is Heaven. Welcome home.

I first blogged about this property back on April 23, 2014 via a TMZ reporting providing extensive pictures, home details, comparison of the original home to the renovations, as well as a breakdown of Akon's other known properties primarily in the Georgia area that can be viewed here. I highly recommend visiting that page to see the comparison pictures. 

Akon purchased this property on September 12, 2013 for $1,950,000 and completely renovated the interior with "white-out" making every wall, cabinet, door, floor, etc the color white. The home also displays a pure futuristic modern look that makes it stand out amongst the neighboring homes that exhibit the typical ranch style from the 40's, 50's, and 60's.

I am not sure how much money Akon spent on renovations but that could explain the exorbitant listing price as he tries to recoup the money spent on renovations. For example, if Akon had spent $500,000 on renovations, he would still profit around $1 million before commission and taxes. This is purely speculation so dont quote me. But to put this price into perspective, the second highest price home in the area which is larger by one extra bedroom and 1,000 sqft is asking $2 million which has been on the market for close to a year. I realize this home is extremely unique so its harder to compare but this purchase will also need a very unique buyer and most likely an extremely wealthy one. 

As excited as we were to first learn about Akon living in the West SFV, we are also quickly saddened to learn that Akon is moving on. We wish Akon all the best in trying to sell this home which might be a record. 

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

Celeb R.E. Hip Hop Star Akon Settles Down in Woodland Hills

Celeb R.E. Hip Hop Star Akon Settles Down in Woodland Hills

Wednesday, April 23, 2014 / 3 Comments

[Update July 10, 2014]: Akon listed this home for sale on July 10, 2014 after only living in it for 11 months. You can read more here. 

[Original Post]:

Images courtesy Rodeo Realty

Back on April 7, 2014, the all knowing gossip juggernaut, TMZ, revealed that hip-hop artist, Akon, purchased a Woodland Hills modern home on September 12, 2013 for $1,950,000. 

Akon rose to fame in 2004 with his hit single, "Locked Up" from his debut album, Trouble. Akon's career took off from there being the first solo artist to hold both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice, four songs certified 3x platinum, three songs certified as 2x platinum, more than 10 songs certified as 1x platinum and more than 10 songs certified as gold in digital sales. And the list of accomplishments and hits keep growing providing vocals as a featured artist with more than 300 guest appearances and more than 35 Billboard Hot 100 songs. Akon's real name is Aliaune Damala Bougo Time Bongo Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam or sometimes simply goes by Aliaune Thiam was born on April 16, 1973 which for a time was unknown but since discovered by The Smoking Gun. You can catch Akon's hit song, "Smack That" and "Sexy Bitch" below. 

The home measures 5 Beds/6 Baths on 4,098 sqft on a total lot size of 0.42 acres built in 2004. The listing description states: 

Custom, Elegant and Beautiful. The art of fine contemporary architecture can be found in this warm and inviting home. A one-of-a-kind design features high ceilings, walls of glass, concrete floors, chef's kitchen and a sprawling entertainers yard with pool andspa and a complete outdoor kitchen in an elevated stylish cabana. The privacy is amazing and the views of the home overlooking the grassy area and pool are stunning. This home features refined design, spacious living and glass walls that open to invite the exterior in. .. Fantastic for entertaining or the active extended family. From an exquisite custom wet bar to a circular formal dining table, to commercial grade appliances, this home has it all. Smooth concrete, textures and volumes of light throughout. Free flowing floor plan, multiple fireplaces, balconies and over 4000 s. f. of living. You cannot ask for more, private & beautiful. Located within walking distance to the Blvd. Enjoy restaurants, shops and coffee with ease. .. .. Too much to list. You won't be disappointed.

Prior to Akon's purchase, the home was last acquired on April 7, 1995 for $375,000 and was completely demolished and rebuilt in 2004 for I am guessing something in the range of $500K or possibly even more. The home was originally listed on May 29, 2013 for $2,150,000 so it looks like Akon successfully saved $200K. Or did he? Because immediately after purchasing the home, Akon added his own touches and modified the interior of the home based on pictures provided by TMZ. Also at the bottom are Youtube videos from his birthday party celebrated at the house. Note, I tried to create a before and after collage based on the listing pictures so some pictures will not match up perfectly. 

I was rather surprised to learn that international start, Akon, chose sleepy suburban Woodland Hills of all places for what appears to be his first LA pad. However, in addition to this home, Akon also owns the following: 

1. An Alpharetta, GA mansion measuring 4 Bed/8 Bath on 8,697 sqft over 4.60 acres built in 1998 and purchased on January 25, 2008 for $1,650,000. You can view pictures of the mansion at Celebritydetective.com
2. An Atlanta, GA mansion measuring 10 Beds/10 Baths on 14,994 sqft over 2 acres built in 1990 and purchased on February 13, 2007. This home is co-owned by Darrick "Devyne" Stephens who is Akon's longtime contributor and business partner. 
3. A Lithonia, GA home measuring 5 Beds/4.5 Baths on 3,642 sqft on 0.41 acres built in 2005 for an unknown price and date. 
4. A Dacula, GA home measuring 5 Beds/4 Baths on 3,488 sqft on  0.31 acres built in 2005 for an unknown price and date. 
5. A Glenside, PA home measuring 3 Beds/2.5 Baths on 1,900 sqft on 0.37 acres built in 1920 and purchased on February 25, 2010 for $300,000. 

Literally next door to Akon is Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell as well as the Van Dekker Residence by R.M. Schindler, and Bud Abbott's former home. 

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