C
elebrities have a peculiar affection for real‑estate deals that often mirror their personal dramas. 2025 was no exception, with a string of high‑profile purchases, sales, and renovations that foreshadowed breakups, new beginnings, and even legal battles.
**Upper East Side Upside**
Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost slipped through a rigorous co‑op board review to acquire a 6,000‑square‑foot penthouse at 1220 Park Avenue. The 8‑story triplex, featuring five terraces, eight balconies, and six wood‑burning fireplaces, was listed at $26 million but closed at $13 million—half the asking price. The private‑equity owners had kept the unit on the market intermittently since 2018, but the couple’s deal turned the space into a practical, if grand, investment.
**Cotswold Conundrum**
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi hired 70 people to overhaul their $20 million Cotswolds estate. After a four‑and‑a‑half‑month renovation that rattled neighbors over Roman ruins, they moved in, stayed a month, and then relisted the property for $30 million. The move was prompted by a lack of horse facilities for Portia’s equine companions—a need that had not been addressed during the remodel.
**Baz Luhrmann’s Bold Bungalow**
Baz Luhrmann’s 8,500‑square‑foot townhouse on Gramercy Park has been on the market since 2022. Its flamboyant décor—red‑velvet carpets, ornate furnishings, and vivid wallpaper—proved a hard sell. In May, the price was slashed from $20 million to $14 million, and the interiors were stripped to neutral grays and creams. Despite the makeover, the property remains unsold.
**Hollywood’s Grand Exit**
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s 12‑bedroom Beverly Hills mansion, listed for $68 million in June 2024, saw its price cut to $60 million in May and $52 million in September. The house, purchased for $61 million, still sits on the market after the couple’s divorce was finalized in January 2025. Its 92‑car parking capacity has proven a niche feature that few buyers can justify.
**Florida’s Fresh Start**
Bethenny Frankel announced a move to Florida in April, citing health reasons. She sold her 1743 Greenwich townhouse—an off‑market deal that fetched $7.83 million after an $8 million listing—then relocated to a Florida home. Frankel emphasized the importance of “understanding where you are” when choosing a residence, a sentiment that guided her Florida transition.
**Gere’s Connecticut Chapter**
In 2022, Tom Gere purchased a Georgian estate in Connecticut from Paul Simon. Simon’s daughter, Lulu, later revealed that Gere had promised to preserve the land, only for the couple to sell the property to developers. The house was demolished this summer to create nine new lots, sparking a public outcry from Lulu and a flurry of Instagram rants.
**New York’s Celebrity Moves**
Gracie Abrams closed on a three‑bedroom co‑op at One Fifth for $5.5 million, joining a storied Greenwich Village building that has housed Keith Richards, Patti Smith, and Brian De Palma. In the fall, Sabrina Carpenter purchased a Tribeca penthouse for $9.95 million in a building that has hosted Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. Both transactions underscore the allure of living among fellow stars.
**Allen & Harbour’s Brownstone**
Lily Allen and David Harbour’s four‑story Carroll Gardens brownstone was bought in 2021 for $3.35 million, renovated by Billy Cotton, and listed for $7.9 million. Allen’s breakup album references the home, and the property’s “one‑of‑a‑kind” status is both a physical and emotional hallmark of their relationship’s end.
**Palisades Fire Fallout**
The January Palisades fire devastated Los Angeles neighborhoods and the “Selling Sunset” cast’s homes. Agent Jason Oppenheim highlighted the event as a pivotal moment for real‑estate professionals, while Chrishell Stause advocated for inclusive pricing. The fire’s aftermath prompted a fundraiser featuring YSL pumps, illustrating the industry’s resilience.
**Buscemi’s Brownstone Sale**
Actor Steve Buscemi sold his 460 5th Street brownstone for $4.99 million in December after nearly three decades in Park Slope. The sale marked the end of a beloved local presence that had become a cultural touchstone.
**Baldwin’s Amagansett Estate**
Alec Baldwin’s Amagansett property, listed for $29 million in 2022, has seen its price cut to $19 million in 2024 and relisted at $21 million. The estate’s future remains uncertain, especially with Hilaria’s large portrait looming over potential buyers.
**Schumer & Fischer’s Exit**
Amy Schumer and Chris Fischer’s 19 Cranberry Street home—famous as the exterior of “Moonstruck”—was purchased for $12.3 million in 2022. They listed it earlier this year amid divorce rumors, citing distance from their son’s school and its size. The property sold for $11 million in December, a $1.25 million loss, and the couple announced their split shortly thereafter.
**Kanye West’s Malibu Debacle**
Kanye West bought Tadao Ando’s Malibu masterpiece for $57.25 million in 2021, then gutted the interior, stripping electrical and plumbing systems. The house was sold to Belwood Investments for $21 million in 2024. The firm’s attempt to sell the property mid‑restoration to developer Andrew Mazzella fell through, and foreclosure threats loom as the lender sues for $814,000 in missed payments. Belwood’s plan to convert the home into a timeshare‑style venture backed by cryptocurrency remains speculative.
These transactions illustrate how celebrity real‑estate moves often intertwine with personal milestones, public scrutiny, and market volatility. Whether buying a penthouse, renovating a historic estate, or selling a sprawling mansion, the stories behind the deals reveal more than just property values—they reflect the evolving narratives of the stars who inhabit them.
