D
iane Keaton, the Oscar‑winning actress celebrated for her wit, warmth and impeccable style, died at 79 in California. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she first captured the public’s imagination in the 1970s as Kay Adams‑Corleone in *The Godfather* and later enchanted audiences in *Annie Hall*, *Father of the Bride* and *The First Wives Club*.

    Her passion for homes began early. In a 2017 interview with *Wine Spectator*, Keaton recalled following her father—an estate agent—around Los Angeles to view open houses. “I always had an interest in homes and the concept of home,” she said, “but the problem is I never really land and stay. Something’s wrong. But something’s right, because I love it.” That curiosity evolved into a lifelong hobby of buying, restoring and selling historic properties nationwide.

    **San Remo, New York (1976)**

    Keaton’s first purchase was a full‑floor apartment in the 1930s Beaux‑Arts landmark on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The three‑bedroom co‑op, with a wood‑panelled library, coffered living room and black‑and‑white tiled kitchen, was her launchpad into the industry. It later sold for $17.5 million in 2018.

    **Samuel‑Novarro House, Los Angeles (1991)**

    Seeking a West Coast return, Keaton bought Lloyd Wright’s 1928 cliffside Art‑Deco home, originally commissioned by Ramón Novarro. The 2,700‑sq‑ft, four‑story house featured terraces, a pergola and a walled pool. Keaton preserved Wright’s oxidised copper trim and sold it five years later. A restoration contractor later praised her advice to “go slow” and keep the house’s integrity. The property listed for $4.295 million in 2019.

    **Bel‑Air Spanish Colonial Revival (2002)**

    Inspired by childhood memories of her father’s skin‑diving off Palos Verdes, Keaton purchased a 1920s Wallace Neff/John Byers home in Bel‑Air. The seven‑bedroom, nine‑bath gated house had lost much of its original charm. Keaton, with designer Stephen Shadley, meticulously documented every room before renovating. She sold the property for $16.5 million in 2005.

    **Laguna Beach Mediterranean Mansion (2004)**

    Keaton turned her sights to the sea, buying a 1928 Mediterranean‑style mansion on a bluff. The four‑bedroom, six‑bath home boasted Spanish tile, wood beams and ironwork, with sweeping Pacific views. She restored its original details over two years and flipped it for $12.75 million. The 4,158‑sq‑ft property resurfaced on the market for $15 million more than a decade later.

    **Beverly Hills Spanish Colonial Revival (2007)**

    Keaton initially backed out of a 1927 Ralph Flewelling home but later purchased it for $8.1 million. Together with Shadley, she renovated the kitchen, re‑faced the façade and added 500 sq‑ft of living space. The house later sold to *Glee* creator Ryan Murphy for an undisclosed sum in 2010.

    **Alfred Newman House, Pacific Palisades (2007)**

    A Frank Lloyd Wright Jr. design on 1.4 acres, this 4,386‑sq‑ft mid‑century modern home featured five bedrooms, four baths and brick‑concrete accents. Keaton updated the kitchen, restored woodwork and converted the second floor into a primary suite with glass walls. She bought it for $9.1 million and sold it for $10.75 million two years later.

    **Pacific Palisades Cape Cod‑Style Home (2012)**

    Keaton’s next purchase was a 2009 Cape Cod‑style house for $5.6 million. The six‑bedroom, nine‑bath estate included a home theatre, gym, two wet bars, wine room and rooftop deck overlooking the ocean. She made cosmetic changes and listed it for $6.995 million in 2015.

    **Sullivan Canyon Dream Home (2017)**

    Keaton’s most ambitious project was the 8,000‑sq‑ft house she built in Sullivan Canyon, the centerpiece of her book *The House That Pinterest Built*. Drawing from a collection of inspirational photos, she designed a light‑filled, industrial‑style home that celebrated exposed brick and mortar. “I follow my impulses just like I did with acting,” she told *Architectural Digest*.

    **Tucson Barrio Viejo Home (2018)**

    Keaton expanded into the desert, purchasing a late‑19th‑century historic house for $1.5 million. She upgraded the kitchen, added oversized fixtures to the exposed‑beam living room, installed a swimming pool, a 20‑foot water tower and a detached cabana. She flipped the property for $2.6 million in 2020 amid the pandemic.

    Keaton’s legacy extends beyond her film career to a distinctive portfolio of homes that reflected her love of architecture, her meticulous restoration approach, and her ability to turn historic properties into modern masterpieces.