Kids, Yolanda just touched down in LA after our European vacay and now we feel rather bummed because we realize we’re hopelessly behind on everything. But we thought we’d get the week started off bright and early with a wee juicy morsel out of one of our favorite LA neighborhoods: the low-key and family-friendly yet blindingly expensive Brentwood Park.
Now y’all may recall that Yolanda blabbed about very consciously uncoupling couple Steven & Krista Levitan unloading their practically brand-new Santa Monica dream mansion for a shocking (and record-breaking) $41 million. A few months earlier, they had sold their longtime Brentwood Park family home for nearly $10 million — $9,770,000, to be exact — to a mysterious blind trust.
What we did not know at the time we wrote about the Santa Monica pad was the true identity of the buyer of Mr. and Mrs. Levitan’s Brentwood home. But when a generous commenter left a note saying the buyer was British media personality James Corden, Yolanda was skeptical but thought we should check out the lead. Just in case, you know.
Well, kiddies, guess what? Turns out our commenter was spot-on! The proud new owner is indeed Mr. Corden and his wifey Julia Carey. The couple have two young children and a third on the way, in case anyone wanted to know.
Yolanda was a wee bit surprised at this purchase, to be honest. We don’t watch Mr. Corden’s show and we’ve only just started hearing his name in the past couple years, so we didn’t think he had stockpiled enough financial firepower to afford a $10 million house in one of LA’s most exclusive neighborhoods. But — as is occasionally the case — Yolanda was proven dead wrong, obviously.
Unbeknownst to us but revealed by our friend Wikipedia, Mr. Corden created a very successful British TV show that we ain’t never heard of before (it’s called Gavin & Stacey), so he’s been banking big bucks since 20067. And in 2014, of course, he moved across the pond to host his very popular Late Late Show. Our Mr. Corden is probably most well-known for his recurring “Carpool Karaoke” video segment that has featured countless celebrities singing along to all the latest jams in the passenger seat of Mr. Corden’s automobile.
But we digress. Clearly, the $300,000 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante-driving Mr. Corden is not hurting for cash.
Described in marketing materials as a “fabulous two story New England Traditional”, the stately 1997-built house is situated privately behind a long gated driveway and mature hedges and trees. The yard and structure are remarkably well-maintained — as they should be for being owned by a family as rich as the Levitans — but sorry, the whole look is not to Yolanda’s taste. There’s certainly nothing offensive about the house, kiddies, it’s just that we don’t understand why folks would spend $10 million on this when there are countless lovely Spanish and mid-century moderns scattered around the region. But hey, that’s just us. Obviously lots of rich folks disagree with that. And what is our opinion worth, anyway?
Gleaming hardwood floors and exposed wooden beams on the kitchen ceiling keep the traditional interiors from feeling staid. Naturally, the kitchen is equipped with top-of-the-line appliances and connects to a comfy-looking family room.
The 8,609-square-foot mansion sports 5 bedrooms and 6.75 baths — just enough for Mr. Corden’s growing brood — and the master bedroom features dark brown hardwood floors (they almost look like mahogany) with a sitting area and a fireplace. The master bath is similarly commodious, with a glass-enclosed shower and a built-in soaking tub, plus a private balcony overlooking the lush backyard.
Speaking of the half-acre yard, it’s totally private and is what so many LA landscaping dreams are made of (we think?): a large grassy space, a brick-surrounded pool and spa, carefully-pruned olive and jacaranda trees, and a trellis-shaded patio that is opened out upon by French doors. Oh, and there’s a little gazebo out back, too.
Yolanda happens to know that Mr. Corden has not yet moved into his new Brentwood Park mansion — he’s still living in rented Westside digs — because this house is currently under major renovations. We’re not sure why, since it looks to be in great shape. But alrighty then. Flash that cash, Mr. Corden!
Anywho, whenever he finally parks the Aston in the driveway, some of Mr. Corden’s new Brentwood Park neighbors will include fellow funnyman Trey Parker, Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff, actor Tobey Maguire, and heiress Tyler Ellis.
Listing agent: David Offer, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
James Corden’s agent: David Parnes, The Agency