homes with origin stories
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Step inside the Barbie Penthouse — where the REAL Barbie and Ken grew up
by Georgie Mihaila July 27, 2023
A couple of years back, a one-of-a-kind penthouse with a playful backstory was briefly offered for sale, giving us a peek inside the famous residence. The iconic Barbie Penthouse, once owned by Mattel founders Ruth and Elliot Handler and later heavily customized to match its moniker was listed for sale asking $9,999,888. It has since been […] More
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A Few of our Favorite Things: The von Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont
by Jenny Schafer July 11, 2023
When The Sound of Music hit the big screen in March 1965, audiences fell in love with the von Trapp family. The hills and the movie theaters alike became alive with the sound of music, dance, and romance thanks to Maria and her crew. As the third highest-grossing film of all time, The Sound of […] More
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Citizen Kane’s imposing Xanadu was based on this real-life castle (and you’ll find it in San Simeon, Calif.)
by Jenny Schafer July 10, 2023
One of the most magnificent mansions in all of California, Hearst Castle has a rich history that captivates audiences just as much as its striking architecture. Built more than a quarter mile above the Pacific Ocean, the California castle that was formerly known as La Cuesta Encantada (Spanish for The Enchanted Hill), is a historic […] More
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Exclusive: Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz’s carefully preserved studio hits the market for the first time in 47 years
by Georgie Mihaila June 22, 2023
In the charming Sonoma County town of Sebastopol, roughly 50 miles north of San Francisco, amidst picturesque landscapes, rolling hills, vineyards, and apple orchards, sits an enchanting two-parcel, 8.86-acre property with a very unique claim to fame. The larger parcel, spanning 7.32 acres, was once owned by Charles M. Schulz, the creator of the beloved […] More
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Inside Guillermo del Toro’s spine-chilling Bleak House: A treasure trove of horror memorabilia
by Cha Miñoza June 6, 2023
A horned faun, an Exorcist doll, a huge Frankenstein head – these are just some of the macabre memorabilia you’ll find in Guillermo del Toro’s house of horrors. Named “Bleak House”, in homage to the Dickens classic, this L.A. mansion houses thousands of priceless, spooky artifacts that are bound to make your hair stand on […] More
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Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin house and its three (tragic) lives
by Ioana Neamt May 5, 2023
Frank Lloyd Wright is undoubtedly one of the most influential architects of all time. A champion of organic architecture, a philosophy he promoted throughout his career that focuses on the harmony between human living and the natural world — incorporating buildings into their surroundings — Lloyd Wright designed more than 1,000 structures in his lifetime, […] More
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Spotlight On: Graceland, Elvis Presley’s House in Memphis
by Jenny Schafer April 11, 2023
Ranked as the most-visited privately owned home in the United States, Graceland attracts over 600,000 visitors a year and is one of the music world’s most important and beloved landmarks. Rivaling some of the most famous homes in the entire country, such as the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, Hearst Castle in California, and the White […] More
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Get to know Gracie Mansion, the official residence of NYC’s Mayor
by Ioana Neamt February 6, 2023
Being mayor of New York City comes with a lot of responsibilities, challenges and a great deal of stress. However, this high-profile job does come with some pleasant perks, too. One of the privileges of being mayor of the city that never sleeps is that you get to reside in a historic mansion in the […] More
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The Playboy Mansion: the full story of Hugh Hefner’s party palace
by Ioana Neamt December 6, 2022
There are many iconic properties around the world that have stood the test of time, but few as unique or as titillating as the massive estate located at 10236 Charing Cross Road in Los Angeles, most commonly known as the Playboy Mansion. A few decades ago, Hugh Hefner’s pleasure palace was widely known as one […] More
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Solving the case of 221B Baker Street, the ‘real’ home of Sherlock Holmes
by Ioana Neamt November 25, 2022
There is no way that anyone reading this right now has not heard of Sherlock Holmes. Whether you’ve read the stories published by Arthur Conan Doyle, or discovered this character from series like Sherlock, Elementary, or Hollywood blockbusters like Sherlock Holmes. We’re not even going to get into a debate on who was the best […] More
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What happened to Michael Jackson’s house, Neverland Ranch?
by Georgie Mihaila November 7, 2022
Highlights Many, many years after its famous owner, the King of Pop, stopped calling it home, the sprawling property once known as Neverland Ranch finally found a new resident. Billionaire Ron Burkle, a one-time associate of the late pop star and co-founder of the investment firm Yucaipa Companies, paid $22 million for the 2,700-acre property […] More
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Behind the evil eyes: The (Real) story of the Amityville house
by Ioana Neamt October 18, 2022
Highlights The Amityville Horror House is real, and you can find it in Long Island, NY — though its now-infamous 112 Ocean Avenue address has changed to 108 Ocean Ave. Its tragic history started in 1974 when Ronald DeFeo Jr. killed his entire family (father, mother, two brothers, and two sisters) DeFeo’s brutal murders inspired […] More