Comedian and writer Chelsea Handler has put her house in Bel Air up for sale for $11.5 million. The politically astute comedian has owned the property for about seven years, and purchased it for a little less than $6 million.
A late modern home, the house dates to 1964, and features the expected stodgily utilitarian box-and-glass exterior definition, in this case exaggerated by the ponderous and merciless look of the poured concrete exterior walls. Contrast is paramount in a classic modern home, though, and the exterior wood deck and lush landscaping give the home a lovely context.
In an even more defined contrast, the interiors are ebullient with mid-century architectural optimism: space, warmth, blurring of interior/exterior demarcation, and a strong sense of community pervades the common area of the 5,572 square feet of living space.
Renovations are evident, especially in the kitchen and baths, of course. Elsewhere, the mid-century feel of the home has been retained. The wood-plank ceiling in the living room is offset by terrazzo floors and a starkly minimalist fireplace flanked with backlit shelving, with a second similar fireplace in the family room reinforcing the period. Concessions to contemporary taste include recessed lighting, skylights, and a master bath featuring a dry sauna and a double shower sheathed in marble. There are six bedrooms and 6.5 baths in all.
The lot extends to .7 acre, with a pool with raised spa, a wood sunlounge, an outdoor kitchen and bar, and guest quarters with private deck filling out the property.
Handler’s second television series, the docu-reality program ‘Chelsea Does,’ offered vicarious experiences for viewers that tapped into cultural trends and issues; the show was cancelled this year from the Netflix Originals lineup. She has penned five NYT bestsellers.