RYAN PHILLIPPE PUTS HOLLYWOOD HILLS HOME ON MARKET

IN 2008, FOLLOWING HIS DIVORCE FROM ACTRESS REESE WITHERSPOON, RYAN PHILLIPPE BOUGHT A HOME IN THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS FOR $7.175 MILLION. NOW AMIDST RUMORS THAT WITHERSPOON MAY HAVE BOUGHT A NEW HOME IN BRENTWOOD, PHILLIPPE HAS PUT HIS HOLLYWOOD HILLS HOME ON THE MARKET. THE FIVE BEDROOM HOME HAS AS ASIAN CONTEMPORARY LOOK. IT SITS UP IN THE HILLS OVER THE SUNSET STRIP WITH VIEWS OVER THE TWINKLING LIGHTS OF LOS ANGELES. THE HOME INCLUDES A LARGE MASTER SUITE WITH WIDE WINDOWS OFFERING A PANORAMIC VIEW. PHILLIPPE, KNOWN FOR HIS HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, HAS INSTALLED A STATE OF THE ART TWO STORY GYM OFF THE MASTER SUITE. THE HOME ALSO HAS A MEDIA ROOM, ART STUDIO AND MUSIC ROOM. TWO OF THE BEDROOMS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN DECORATED FOR PHILLIPPE'S TWO CHILDREN WITH A SPORTS-THEMED ROOM FOR HIS SON AND A BUTTERFLY-THEMED ROOM FOR HIS DAUGHTER. THE POOL AND SPA SPACES INCLUDE AN OUTDOOR KITCHEN, SAUNA, CANOPIED FIREPIT, SWIMMER'S POOL AND SPA. THE HOME IS PRESENTLY LISTED FOR $7.45 MILLION.

ICONIC CHELSEA HOTEL TO BE SOLD

THE NEW YORK HOTEL THAT INSPIRED CREATIVE TALENT FROM SIR ARTHUR CLARKE TO SID VICIOUS IS UP FOR SALE. THE CHELSEA HOTEL, CONTROLLED PRIMARILY BY THREE FAMILIES THAT HAVE OWNED IT FOR 65 YEARS, WILL REMAIN A HAVEN FOR STRUGGLING ARTISTS DESPITE CHANGING HANDS, A HOTEL SPOKESMAN SAID ON TUESDAY. 'THE HISTORY ITSELF MAKES THE HOTEL WHAT IT IS', SAID THE SPOKESMAN, LOREN RIEGELHAUPT. 'ANYBODY WHO'S GOING TO BE LOOKING TO BUY THE CHELSEA KNOWS THAT THE CHELSEA IS THE CHELSEA, AND THERE'S NOTHING YOU WANT TO DO TO CHANGE WHAT THE CHELSEA IS', HE SAID, ADDING THAT THERE WAS NO ASKING PRICE. A PARTIAL LIST OF THOSE WHO STAYED THERE INCLUDES WRITERS AS CLARKE, O HENRY AND THOMAS WOLFE, PLAYWRIGHT ARTHUR MILLER, ARTIST ANDY WARHOL AND MUSICIANS JANIS JOPLIN, JIMI HENDRIX AND JIM MORRISON. PUNK ROCKER SID VICIOUS OF THE SEX PISTOLS KILLED HIS GIRLFRIEND NANCY SPUNGEN THERE IN 1978 IN A DRUG-INDUCED STUPOR, AND THE CHELSEA HOTEL IS WHERE BOB DYLAN, ACCORDING TO HIS OWN LYRICS, WROTE 'SAD-EYED LADY OF THE LOWLANDS'. THE 12 FLOOR, 250 ROOM HOTEL WAS BUILT IN 1883 ON 23rd STREET BETWEEN SEVENTH AND EIGHTH AVENUES, A PART OF TOWN CALLED CHELSEA THAT WAS A THEATER DISTRICT AT THE TIME. NOW IT IS HOME TO A CONCENTRATION OF ART GALLERIES AND IS ONE OF THE CITY'S BEST-KNOWN GAY DISTRICTS. UPKEEP OF THE OLD BUILDING REQUIRED A $2 MILLION TO $3 MILLION INVESTMENT IN RECENT YEARS TO RENOVATE 25 ROOMS AND THE LOBBY, RIEGELHAUPT SAID. THE PROPERTY IS SPLIT BETWEEN TRANSIENT HOTEL ROOMS AND RESIDENTIAL UNITS. 'NOW II IS TIME TO LET A NEW OWNER, WITH PERHAPS SOME NEW INNOVATIVE IDEAS AND RESOURCES, TO RE-ENERGIZE AND REVITALIZE THE CHELSEA', SAID PAUL BROUNSTEIN, A SHAREHOLDER AND BOARD MEMBER OF THE HOTEL, IN A STATEMENT. FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS THE HOTEL WAS MANAGED BY STANLEY BARD, A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE OWNERSHIP FAMILIES, WHO WAS OUSTED BY THE BOARD IN 2007. IT WAS BARD WHO DECIDED WHICH STRUGGLING ARTISTS DESERVED A BREAK ON THE RENT AND WELCOMED THE HIPPIES AND PUNKS REJECTED ELSEWHERE. HE NEVER MINDED WHEN ARTISTS SLOSHED PAINT ON THE WALLS AND FLOORS OF THEIR STUDIO APARTMENTS.

LA CAILLE IS UP FOR SALE

ONE OF UTAH'S FANCIEST RESTAURANTS, LA CAILLE IN SANDY UTAH HAS RECENTLY BEEN LISTED FOR SALE. THE FRENCH RESTAURANT HAS A CHATEAU-LIKE FEEL. IT SITS NEAR A STREAM ON LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON WITH BEAUTIFUL VIEWS AND A LOCATION JUST 10 MINUTES FROM SNOWBIRD AND ALTA SKI RESORTS AND 20 MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN SALT LAKE CITY. THE RESTAURANT HAS FOUR FORMAL DINING ROOMS, FIVE OPEN AIR PATIOS AND A LARGE GRAND SALON. GIVEN THE DECOR AND THE 20 ACRES WHICH ARE HOME TO PEACOCKS, SWANS AND MORE, IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT IT IS A POPULAR SITE FOR LAVISH STELLAR WEDDINGS. THE INCREDIBLE DESTINATION RESTAURANT IS LISTED FOR $19.9 MILLION WITH SOTHEBY'S REALITY.

RAM ISLAND LEDGE LIGHTHOUSE TO BE SOLD BY THE COAST GUARD

THE PROPERTY HAS A MILLION DOLLAR VIEW, BUT THE QUARTERS ARE CRAMPED, THE GROUNDS ARE NOTHING TO BRAG ABOUT AND A LOUD FOG HORN BLARES EVERY TEN SECONDS. FOR THE RIGHT PRICE, THE PICTURESQUE RAM ISLAND LEDGE LIGHTHOUSE CAN BE YOURS. THE 72 FOOT CONICAL LIGHT TOWER IN WATERS A MILE OFF THE SOUTHERN MAINE COAST IS BEING AUCTIONED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE PROPERTY ISN'T FOR EVERYBODY. IT'S HARD TO GET TO, LOCATED ON A WAVE-SWEPT ROCKY LEDGE WHERE LANDING A BOAT CAN BE TREACHEROUS. ONCE THERE, A PERSON HAS TO CLIMB A 30 FOOT LADDER TO GET INTO THE TOWER. INSIDE, THE CIRCULAR ROOMS ARE SMALL AND BARE. THE YARD, IF YOU CAN CALL IT THAT, IS A LEDGE THAT IS UNDERWATER HALF THE TIME WHENEVER THE TIDE IS UP. BUT THE VIEWS OF THE RUGGED COAST, THE NEARBY ISLANDS AND THE OPEN OCEAN ARE TO DIE FOR, AND THE LIGHTHOUSE OOZES HISTORY, A REMINDER OF AN ERA GONE BY, WHEN LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS LIVED IN ISOLATION MANNING KEROSENE AND FOGHORNS TO KEEP MARINERS OUT OF HARM'S WAY. THE COAST GUARD HAS BEEN UNLOADING LIGHTHOUSE FOR DECADES AND NOW HAS AT LEAST EIGHT OF THE FOR SALE IN MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, NEW YORK, DELAWARE AND WISCONSIN THROUGH AN ONLINE AUCTION RUN BY THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION. IN MAINE, THE GRANITE RAM ISLAND LEDGE LIGHTHOUSE WAS BUILT IN 1905 NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO PORTLAND HARBOR. FOR THE FIRST 54 YEARS, BEFORE BECOMING AUTOMATED IN 1959, THE BUILDING WAS MANED BY LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS WHO LIVED IN THE OUTPOST FOR WEEKS AT A TIME. WHOEVER BUYS THE RAM ISLAND LEDGE LIGHTHOUSE WILL HAVE TO PRESERVE THE HISTORICAL INTEGRITY OF THE STRUCTURE WHILE IT CONTINUES BEING USED AS A COAST GUARD NAVIGATIONAL AID, COMPLETE WITH A LIGHT THAT FLASHES EVERY SIX SECONDS AND A HORN THAT BLARES EVERY TEN SECONDS. SO FAR ONLY ONE BID, $10,000 HAS BEEN MADE. A TOUR FOR PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS IS SCHEDULED FOR LATER THIS MONTH.

BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON TO BUT $11 MILLION NEW YORK ESTATE

BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON ARE REPORTEDLY CLOSING IN ON AN $11 MILLION 20-ACRE ESTATE NEAR NEW YORK AS THEY PREPARE FOR THEIR DAUGHTER CHELSEA'S WEDDING AT THE END OF THE MONTH. THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE ARE SET TO BECOME NEIGHBORS TO THE LIKES OF RICHARD GERE, MARTHA STEWART AND GLENN CLOSE IN BEDFORD HILLS, 40 MILES NORTH OF NEW YORK CITY. CLOVER HILL FARM HAS HIGH FENCES, TWO GUEST HOUSES AND SIX BEDROOMS IN THE MAIN 7,000 sqft MANSION, AMPLE ROOM FOR FUTURE GRANDCHILDREN AND THE SECRET SERVICE AGENTS THAT PROTECT THE FORMER FIRST FAMILY. THE HOME, WHICH FEATURES A WINE CELLAR, HEATED POOL, ARTIST STUDIO AND STABLE, HAS BEEN PUT UP FOR SALE BY PAUL WALLACE, WHOSE MANHATTAN PROPERTY FIRM THE BROADSTONE GROUP WAS DECLARED BANKRUPT IN MAY. SHORTLY BEFORE BILL CLINTON LEFT OFFICE TEN YEARS AGO HE AND HIS WIFE SPENT THE COMPARATIVELY SMALL SUM OF $1.7 MILLION ON A HOUSE IN CHAPPAQUA, NEW YORK. AT THE TIME THEY FOUND THE FUNDS HARD TO COME BY, BUT SINCE LEAVING WASHINGTON THEY HAVE AMASSED A FORTUNE OF MORE THAN $110 MILLION, THANKS MAINLY TO BOOK DEALS AND CLINTON'S POPULARITY AS A SPEAKER. THE FORMER PRESIDENT HAS EVEN RESORTED TO RAFFLING HIMSELF OUT TO SUPPORTERS OF HIS WIFE'S FAILED PRESIDENTIAL BID IN AN ATTEMPT TO WHITTLE DOWN THE DEBT FROM HER CAMPAIGN, WHICH SHE PERSONALLY LENT $10 MILLION. THE NEW HOUSE DEAL COMES WITHIN DAYS OF CHELSEA CLINTON'S 31.JULY WEDDING TO MARC MEZVINSKY, WHICH HER MOTHER HAS SAID WAS 'TRULY THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW' AMID THE DEMANDS OF INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY.

MARILYN MONROE'S BRENTWOOD HOME FOR SALE

THE LOS ANGELES HOME THAT MARILYN MONROE WAS FOUND DEAD IN 48 YEARS AGO HAS GONE UP FOR SALE FOR $3.6 MILLION (£2.4m). LOCATED IN THE LUXURIOUS BRENTWOOD SUBURB, THE SPANISH REVIVAL HOME COMES COMPLETE WITH FOUR BEDROOMS, THREE BATHROOMS AND AN OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL. THE ACTRESS BOUGHT THE PROPERTY IN 1962 FOR $90,000 (£59,000). SHE LIVED THERE FOR JUST SIX MONTHS BEFORE SHE WAS FOUND DEAD IN HER BEDROOM FROM AN OVERDOSE OF BARBITURATES. THE ONE-STORY PROPERTY, BUILT IN 1929, SPREADS LAVISHLY OVER 23<000 sqft OF LAND, AND IS DUBBED THE 'CROWN JEWEL' OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. IT IS LOCATED BEHIND TALL GATES ON A CUL-DE-SAC AND IS ADVERTISED ON THE WEBSITE OF DAVID OFFER OF PRUDENTIAL CALIFORNIA REALITY. THE WEBSITE DESCRIBES THE HOME AS A 'SPRAWLING AND VERY SPECIAL' PROPERTY, AFFORDING LOVELY VISTAS AND GREAT PRIVACY AND SECLUSION. IT IS ALSO IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SAN VICENTE BOULEVARD WITH SHOPS, RESTAURANTS AND A SUNDAY FARMERS' MARKET. THE CURRENT OWNER DID NOT PERMIT PRESS ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY BUT ALLOWED NEWS AGENCY AFP TO TAKE PHOTOS BEHIND TALL GATES ON THE SECLUDED STREET. GIVEN THAT MONROE MEMORABILIA IS HIGHLY COVETED, THE WEIGHTY PRICE TAG OF THE HOUSE COME AS NO SURPRISE. EVEN A BURIAL SPOT NEAR THE STAR'S LAST RESTING PLACE AT LA'S WESTWOOD VILLAGE MEMORIAL PARK WAS SOLD ON THE ONLINE AUCTION SITE EBAY IN 2009 FOR A STAGGERING $4.6 MILLION. MONROE DIED ON 5.AUGUST.1962 AT THE AGE OF 36. HER DEATH WAS CLASSIFIED AS A 'PROBABLE SUICIDE', BUT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE AND EVEN HOMICIDE HAVE NOT BEEN RULED OUT.

ANCIENT ENGLISH ESTATE VALUED AT £12,000,000 PUT ON THE MARKET

A HISTORIC ANCIENT ENGLISH ESTATE VALUED AT £12,000,000 HAS RECENTLY GONE ON THE MARKET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS RECORDED HISTORY, ROUGHLY 1,000 YEARS. SPANNING 1,300 ACRES, SHAKENHURST HALL IN SHROPSHIRE HAS SEEN THE LIKES OF THE CATTLE OF HASTINGS AND THE HUNDRED YEARS' WAR AND WAS FIRST RECORDED IN THE DOMESDAY BOOK OF 1086. THE GRADE II-LISTED MAIN PROPERTY BOASTS 13 BEDROOMS AND SEVEN BATHROOMS, WHILE ELSEWHERE YOU'LL FIND SIX WORKING FARMS, 12 HOUSES AND VARIOUS COTTAGES DOTTED AROUND THE LUSH GARDENS. THE LARGELY GEORGIAN HALL WAS BUILT FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE 1790s AND CONTAINS: A LIBRARY, DRAWING ROOM, RECEPTION HALL, DINING ROOM, KITCHEN, A BUTLER'S PANTRY, BOOT ROOM, SCULLERY, CLOAKROOMS, OFFICES AND CELLARS AS WELL AS A SERVICE PASSAGE BOASTING PERIOD FEATURES SUCH AS REGENCY CHIMNEY PIECES AND MOLDED CORNICES AND OVER-DOORS. OUTSIDE THE ESTATE THE OFFERINGS INCLUDE ITS OWN LAKE AND PROFESSIONALLY LANDSCAPED PARKLAND, AS WELL AS SHOOTING AND FISHING ON THE RIVER REA. THE GROUNDS ARE DESCRIBED AS 'A LEGACY OF HISTORIC ELIZABETHAN, GEORGIAN AND VICTORIAN DESIGNS' AND INCLUDE A WALLED KITCHEN GARDEN AND A SUNKEN ROSE GARDEN. DAVID GROVES, LAND AGENT FOR BALFOURS SAID IT WAS 'EXTREMELY RARE' TO FIND A PROPERTY WITH SUCH A HISTORY WHICH HAD NEVER BEEN SOLD BEFORE.

FINDAPROPERTY.COM VALUES BRITAIN'S LANDMARKS

ACCORDING TO A RECENT SURVEY OF 500 ESTATE AGENTS, STONEHENGE WOULD COST AN ESTIMATED £51 MILLION. OTHER LANDMARKS INCLUDE 10 DOWNING STREET, PRICED AT £5.2 MILLION AND WINDSOR CASTLE, VALUED AS £390.9 MILLION. THE UNIQUE SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY PROPERTY WEBSITE FINDAPROPERTY.COM ALSO SUGGESTED BRIGHTON PAVILION IS VALUED AT £51.9 MILLION AND BLACKPOOL TOWER AT £60 MILLION. NIGEL LEWIS, A PROPERTY ANALYST AT FINDAPROPERTY.COM SAID: 'BASED ON THESE VALUATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT AND CROWN PROBABLY OWN ENOUGH LAND AND PROPERTY TO PAY DOWN THE NATIONAL DEBT PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY. OF COURSE, WE KNOW THESE LANDMARKS WILL NEVER BE PUT UP FOR SALE, BUT WITH PROPERTY PRICES SHOOTING UP 10 PERCENT IN VALUE OVER THE PAST YEAR WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN TO SEE WHAT THE MARKET CONSENSUS WAS ABOUT THERE VALUES. IT'S QUITE A CHALLENGE FOR ESTATE AGENTS MORE USED TO VALUING SUBURBAN SEMIS TO PUT AN ACCURATE AMOUNT OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT AGENTS WE SPOKE TO.'

CAPE TOWN'S SAFEST HOUSE PUT ON THE MARKET

A BRITISH COUPLE FRUSTRATED WITH THE EVER ESCALATING CRIME RATES IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA, HAVE BUILT A UNIQUE HOUSE THEY CLAIM IS BURGLAR-PROOF. EILEEN MIJLOF SAID SHE HAD LOST COUNT OF HOW MANY TIMES SHE WAS BURGLED IN AND AROUND HER HOME. SO WHEN SHE AND HER HUSBAND, JELLE, DECIDED TO MOVE, IT WAS TO A CUSTOM-DESIGNED Y-SHAPED FORTRESS THAT THE PAIR CLAIM IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BREAK IN TO. UNUSUAL FOR MOST MIDDLE-CLASS SOUTH AFRICAN HOMES, THE PROPERTY AT THE FOOT OF TABLE MOUNTAIN DOES NOT HAVE A BURGLAR BARS, ALARMS, ELECTRIC FENCING OR TRELLIS SECURING DOORS, BECAUSE THE FIRST FLOOR IS NEARLY 50ft ABOVE GROUND. THE HOUSE LOOKS AS IF IT IS PRECARIOUSLY BALANCED ON TOP OF A SECURE GARAGE, BUT THE FOUNDATION IS 20ft DEEP, AND 10ft BY 40ft LONG. MIJLOF WHO IS ORIGINALLY FROM LIVERPOOL, SAID: 'WE FEEL VERY SAFE IN THE HOUSE. WE LOST COUNT OF THE NUMBER OF TIMES WE GOT ROBBED IN OUR PRIVATE HOMES AND THE HOTEL WE RAN. THEY WERE NEVER VIOLENT, BUT IT JUST GOT TOO MUCH, WHICH IS WHY JELLE DECIDED HE WOULD BUILD THIS PLACE.' MIJLOF GOT THE IDEA TO CONSTRUCT THE TWO STORY HOUSE AFTER SITTING IN THE GROUNDS OF THE PROPERTY. 'I WAS SITTING BY THE TREES AND LOOKED UP AND SAW THE SQUIRRELS RUNNING UP AND DOWN THEM AND THE BIRDS SINGING. I NOTICED THAT WHEN THE SQUIRRELS GOT TO THE END OF BRANCHES, THEY LOOKED SECURE BECAUSE THEY KNEW NOTHING COULD FOLLOW THEM BECAUSE THEY'D BOTH FALL OFF. THE SQUIRRELS AND THE BIRDS LOOKED SAFE AND I THOUGHT WE SHOULD FEEL THE SAME.' HE COMPLETED THE HOUSE IN 2000, AND THE COUPLE, WHO HAVE BEEN MARRIED 20 YEARS, ARE NOW SELLING THE FORTRESS IN THE HIGGOVALE SUBURB TO MOVE TO THE WHALE-WATCHING TOWN OF HERMANUS. THE HOUSE, WHICH ENJOYS PANORAMIC VIEWS OF CAPE TOWN AND THE OCEAN BEYOND, IS ON THE MARKET FOR £1.1 MILLION.

TRUMAN CAPOTE'S BROOKLYN TOWNHOUSE ON THE MARKET

BROOKLYN'S MOST FAMOUS HOUSE, THE 11 BEDROOM MANSION WHERE TRUMAN CAPOTE WROTE MOST OF HIS ICONIC NOVELS INCLUDING BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, HAS RECENTLY BEEN PUT ON THE MARKET FOR $18 MILLION. THE STUNNING HOME AT 70 WILLOW ST IN BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, IS BEING OFFERED FOR JUST THE THIRD TIME IN 70 YEARS AND IS LIKELY TO BREAK SALES RECORDS IN THE BOROUGH AND BECOME THE MOST EXPENSIVE TOWNHOUSE IN ITS HISTORY. THE LAVISH PERIOD HOME FEATURES 18 ROOMS WITH 11 FIREPLACES, PARKING FOR FOUR CARS, A MURAL COPIED FROM THE KENNEDY WHITE HOUSE, A BACK PORCH AND A LUSH GARDEN MODELED AFTER CLASSIC SOUTHERN GARDENS. THE HOME IS BEING TOUTED AS ONE OF THE FINEST HOUSES IN THE BOROUGH'S FINEST NEIGHBORHOOD. 'IT'S LIKE LIVING IN A COUNTRY ESTATE IN THE MIDDLE OF NEW YORK CITY', SAID KAREN HEYMAN, THE SOTHEBY'S BROKER SELLING THE PROPERTY. 'IT TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY THE MINUTE YOU WALK IN.' BUILT IN 1839 AND NOW IN THE HANDS OF A MEDIA ENTREPRENEUR, THE HOUSE WAS OWNED IN THE 1950s BY BROADWAY ART DIRECTOR OLIVER SMITH, WHO DESIGNED THE FAMOUS SETS FOR 'GUYS AND DOLLS' AND 'WEST SIDE STORY'. CAPOTE SAID HE GOT SMITH BLITZED ON MARTINIS TO PERSUADE HIS FRIEND TO RENT HIM THE HOUSE'S GARDEN APARTMENT FROM 1955 TO 1965. THERE, AMID THE GRAND GREEK REVIVAL COLUMNS AND GLITTERING CRYSTAL CHANDELIERS, THE PROLIFIC WRITER DREAMED UP ICONIC NEW YORK PARTY GIRL HOLLY GOLIGHTLY FROM BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, HE ALSO WROTE THE POIGNANT IN COLD BLOOD, HIS FAMOUS NONFICTION NOVEL, AT THE MANSION. CAPOTE WOULD THROW LAVISH PARTIES FOR THE NEW YORK'S RICH AND FAMOUS WHEN SMITH LEFT TOWN, OFTEN BRAGGING THAT HE OWNED THE ENTIRE PROPERTY.

ANNE RICE LISTS HER RANCHO MIRAGE HOUSE ON THE MARKET

AUTHOR ANNE RICE HAS RECENTLY LISTED HER RESIDENCE IN RANCHO MIRAGE FOR $3.3 MILLION. BUILT IN 1995, THE LOW-SLUNG HOUSE HAS A FORMAL DINING ROOM AND LIVING ROOM DESIGNED FOR ENTERTAINING, SIX BEDROOMS, SEVEN BATHROOMS AND A MAID'S QUARTERS. THE STUNNING RESIDENCE SITS ON MORE THAN AN ACRE OF LUSHLY LANDSCAPED GROUNDS IN A PRIVATE GATED COMMUNITY. ALSO INCLUDED IS A DETACHED TWO-BEDROOM GUESTHOUSE HAS A FULL KITCHEN AND LIVING ROOM. 'THE HOUSE HAS BEEN A MARVELOUS PLACE TO WRITE, TO ENTERTAIN, TO DO INTERVIEWS, AND MANY REPORTERS AND CAMERA CREWS HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT FOR VARIOUS PROGRAMS', RICE SAID ABOUT THE HOUSE. SHE WORKED ON HER LAST THREE NOVELS IN THE HOUSE; 'CHRIST THE LORD:THE ROAD TO CANA', THE THRILLER 'ANGEL TIME' AND THE SPIRITUAL MEMOIR 'CALLED OUT OF DARKNESS'. RICE IS SELLING THE HOUSE BECAUSE SHE WOULD LIKE A SMALLER WRITERS' RETREAT IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY. SHE BOUGHT THE PROPERTY IN LATE 2005 AND HAS ADDED NEW FLAGSTONES IN THE POOL AREA AND REAR PATHWAYS, FRUIT TREES, CALIFORNIA PEPPERS AND OLEANDERS, A THIRD FIREPLACE IN THE DEN, NEW KITCHEN CABINETS. 'I'VE LOVED IT HERE IN THUNDERBIRD HEIGHTS WITH VIEWS OF THE VALLEY AND THE MOUNTAINS', SAID THE AUTHOR, WHO HAS SOLD ALMOST 100 MILLION BOOKS. 'IT MIGHT SEEM AN UNLIKELY PLACE FOR THE AUTHOR OF 'INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE', AND OTHER SUPERNATURAL NOVELS, HAILING FROM NEW ORLEANS, BUT IT'S BEEN A LOVELY PLACE TO WRITE.'

HARRODS SOLD TO QATARI ROYAL FAMILY FOR £1.5 BILLION

LONDON'S ICONIC LUXURY DEPARTMENT STORE HARRODS HAS BEEN SOLD FOR £1.5 BILLION FOLLOWING MOHAMED AL FAYED'S DECISION TO RETIRE. JUST WEEKS AFTER INSISTING THE EXCLUSIVE KNIGHTSBRIDGE STORE WAS NOT UP FOR SALE, AL FAYED RECONSIDERED AND AGREED TO AN OFFER FROM THE QATARI ROYAL FAMILY. THE NEW OWNERS WERE CHOSEN BECAUSE THEY WOULD 'MAINTAIN THE TRADITIONS OF HARRODS'. KEN COSTA, CHAIRMAN OF LAZARD INTERNATIONAL WHICH ADVISED THE AL FAYED FAMILY ON THE HISTORIC DEAL, SAID: 'AFTER 25 YEARS AS CHAIRMAN OF HARRODS, MOHAMED AL FAYED HAS DECIDED TO RETIRE AND TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN', HE TOLD SKY NEWS. 'QATAR HOLDING (QH) WILL BECOME ONLY THE FIFTH OWNER OF HARRODS SINCE ITS CREATION IN 1840. QATAR HOLDING WAS SPECIFICALLY CHOSEN BY THE TRUST AS THEY HAD BOTH THE VISION AND THE FINANCIAL CAPACITY TO SUPPORT THE LONG TERM SUCCESSFUL GROWTH OF HARRODS. OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO MOHAMED AL FAYED WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE HARRODS' STAFF WOULD FIND IN QH AN OWNER WHO WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF THEIR EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN THE TRADITIONS OF HARRODS', COSTA ADDED. QATARI PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH HAMD BIN JASSIM BIN JABR AL-THANI WAS GIVEN A SHORT TOUR OF THE STORE BY AL FAYED AND DECLARED THE STORE WOULD BE MADE 'EVEN GREATER AND BETTER.' HE SAID HE WAS 'VERY HAPPY WITH THE TRANSACTION', AND CONTINUED: 'IT'S A HISTORICAL PLACE. I KNOW IT'S IMPORTANT, NOT ONLY FOR THE BRITISH PEOPLE BUT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR TOURISM.' AL FAYED, WHO IS NOT NORMALLY PUBLICITY SHY, STOOD TO ONE SIDE AWAY FROM THE CAMERAS AS THE PRIME MINISTER ADDRESSED THE REPORTERS. THE SALE COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A RAPPROCHEMENT WITH THE MONARCHY WHO HAVE REFUSED TO SHOP THERE EVER SINCE AL FAYED ACCUSED THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH OF MURDERING HIS SON DODI AND DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES, BY STAGING A CAR CRASH IN PARIS. A SOURCE CLOSE TO QATARI HOLDING SAID: 'YOU COULD SPECULATE THEY WOULD BE KEEN TO RENEGOTIATE WITH THE ROYAL FAMILY.'

COUPLE TRANSFORM SEASIDE PUBLIC LOO INTO A COZY HOME

FOR NEARLY A CENTURY THE UNASSUMING VICTORIAN PUBLIC TOILET WAS USED BY VISITORS TO THE BEACH AT SCARBOROUGH. NOW THE DISTINCTIVE BUILDING HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED BY TRACY WOODHOUSE AND GRAHAM PECK INTO A COZY HOUSE WITH MAGNIFICENT VIEWS OVERLOOKING THE NORTH SEA. THE GENTS WC IS NOW THE LOUNGE AND THE LADIES IS THE BEDROOM AND EN-SUITE BATHROOM. NOW NAMED LOOKOUT, THE CONVERTED SINGLE STORY BUILDING, BUILT INTO THE CLIFF OVERLOOKING THE RESORT'S FAMOUS NORTH BAY, IS WIDELY ADMIRED BY THE LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO HAVE WITNESSED ITS STUNNING RECREATION. WOODHOUSE SAID ABOUT THE PROJECT: 'SOME PEOPLE JOKE ABOUT IT. AT WORK THEY'LL SAY THINGS LIKE, 'OH YES, YOU'RE THE COUPLE WHO LIVE IN A LAVATORY.' BUT WE NOW HAVE A LOVELY LITTLE HOUSE WITH A SEA VIEW THAT USED TO BE A LOO. WE UNDERSTAND THE AMUSEMENT IT CAUSES. IT TICKLES US, TOO.' THE PUBLIC RESTROOM, WHICH BECAME AN AMMUNITION STORE DURING THE WAR, WAS CLOSED DOWN IN THE 1990s AND FOR A FEW YEARS BECAME A SEASONAL CAFE. WHEN THE LEASE BECAME AVAILABLE FIVE YEARS AGO, THE COUPLE, BOTH FACTORY WORKERS, DECIDED IT WOULD MAKE A PERFECT HOME. A LOCAL ARCHITECT PRODUCED PLANS WHICH MAINTAINED THE HISTORIC CHARACTER AND STYLE OF THE BUILDING AND THE COUNCIL BACKED THE SCHEME. 'THEY GAVE US PLANNING PERMISSION AND PRAISED THE IDEA', SHE SAID. 'THEY CALLED IT THE BUILDING'S RENAISSANCE.' THE COUPLE SPENT £15,000 ON THE REMAINING SEVEN YEARS OF THE EXISTING LEASE AND LATER NEGOTIATED A NEW LEASE WITH ANOTHER 21 YEARS TO RUN FOR £1,800 A YEAR. THEY ALSO SPENT AROUND £35,000 REFURBISHING AND REBUILDING THE PROPERTY THEMSELVES IN THEIR SPARE TIME. AFTER FILLING SIX SKIPS WITH THE RUBBLE AND OLD DRAINS OF THE TOILETS, THEY SET ABOUT REBUILDING FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. THEY HAD TO STRENGTHEN THE OAK-BEAMED CEILING WITH A STEEL GIRDER, MODERNIZE THE ANCIENT PLUMBING, ELECTRICS AND VENTILATION AND ADD DAMP-PROOFING AND INSULATION. THE COUPLE INSTALLED UNDERFLOOR GAS HEATING, PATIO DOORS AND WINDOWS AND CREATED A BATHROOM AND ONE DOUBLE BEDROOM WITH A BAY VIEW WHICH IS SHARED BY THE LOUNGE AND THE ADJOINING KITCHEN.

'HOLLYWOOD' SIGN SAVED FROM DEVELOPERS

DEVELOPERS WON'T BE BUILDING ANYTHING BEHIND THE LANDMARK HOLLYWOOD SIGN. CALIFORNIA GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER SAID MONDAY A FINAL $900,000 DONATION BY THE PLAYBOY FOUNDER HUGH HEFNER COMPLETED THE $12.5 MILLION FUND-RAISING DRIVE TO PROTECT THE 138 ACRES BEHIND THE FAMOUS SIGN. THE GOVERNOR PRAISED THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN RAISING THE MONEY TO KEEP THE PROPERTY OUT OF THE HANDS OF LAND DEVELOPERS. THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND CONSERVATION GROUP RAISED $6.7 MILLION IN PRIVATE FUNDS, THE STATE RAISED $3.1 MILLION AND LOCAL FUNDS PROVIDED $2.7 MILLION. HEFNER, WHO CALLS THE SIGN 'HOLLYWOOD'S EIFFEL TOWER', PUT THE EFFORT OVER THE TOP. SCHWARZENEGGER CALLED IT 'THE HOLLYWOOD ENDING WE HOPED FOR'. 'IT'S A SYMBOL OF DREAMS AND OPPORTUNITY', SCHWARZENEGGER SAID OF THE SIGN. 'THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN WILL WELCOME DREAMERS, ARTISTS AND AUSTRIAN BODYBUILDERS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.' THE GOVERNOR PRAISED THE CONSERVATION EFFORT AND PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, BORROWING FROM HIS HOLLYWOOD DAYS: 'I DID WHAT THE 'TERMINATOR' WAS SUPPOSED TO DO, AND THAT WAS TO JUMP INTO ACTION.' SCHWARZENEGGER NOTED PRIVATE DONATIONS WERE GIVEN BY ALL 50 STATES, 10 FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING J PAUL GETTY HEIR AILEEN GETTY, STEVEN SPIELBERG, TOM HANKS AND HEFNER. AILEEN GETTY AND THE TIFFANY & CO FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTED $1 MILLION. 'MY CHILDHOOD DREAMS AND FANTASIES CAME FROM THE MOVIES, AND THE IMAGES CREATED IN HOLLYWOOD HAD A MAJOR INFLUENCE ON MY LIFE AND PLAYBOY', HEFNER SAID. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOHN DONNELLY SAYS THE PERMANENT PROTECTION OF CAHUENGA PEAK IS A SIGNIFICANT ADDITION TO GRIFFITH PARK AND THAT IT WILL 'ENHANCE WILDLIFE CORRIDORS THROUGHOUT THE REGION'. THE LAND WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN 1950 BY INDUSTRIALIST HOWARD HUGHES, WHO WANTED TO BUILD A HOME FOR THE GIRLFRIEND GINGER ROGERS. BUT THE RELATIONSHIP ENDED AND THE HUGHES ESTATE LATER SOLD THE PROPERTY IN 2002 TO A GROUP OF CHICAGO INVESTORS. THE PROPERTY, ZONED FOR FOUR LUXURY HOMES, WAS PUT ON THE MARKET TWO YEARS AGO FOR $22 MILLION.

'WORLD'S SMALLEST HOUSE' FOR SALE

WHAT IS BEING BILLED AS THE 'WORLD'S SMALLEST HOUSE' HAS RECENTLY BEEN PUT UP FOR SALE. AT JUST OVER 7 FEET WIDE AND 47 FEET LONG, THE TINY BUILDING IS ONE OF THE SMALLEST FUNCTIONING HOMES IN THE WORLD. THE 312 SQUARE FOOT 'LITTLE HOUSE' OF TORONTO, CANADA, HAS DEVELOPED A CULT FOLLOWING AND EVEN HAS ITS OWN WEBSITE. BACK ON THE PROPERTY MARKET FOR £110,000, THE COMFORTABLE HOME SURPRISINGLY COMES WITH THREE ROOMS, INCLUDING A NORMAL SIZED BATHTUB, AND COMES WITH ALL THE AMENITIES OF A REGULAR SIZED HOME. SITUATED ON DAY STREET IN TORONTO'S HISTORIC LITTLE ITALY, IT IS DESCRIBED IN THE ESTATE AGENT'S GUIDE AS A 'UNIQUE HOME IN GOOD CONDITION OVERALL AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED'. AS WELL AS ITS AMPLE 2.36m-HIGH CEILINGS, THE LITTLE HOUSE ALSO HAS A DECENT SIZED BASEMENT FOR STORAGE SPACE. 'THE INTERIOR OF THE HOUSE SEEMS MUCH MORE EXPANSIVE THAN THE SMALL EXTERIOR', SAID ESTATE AGENT ANTONIO NARDI. 'IT HAS A FULL BATHROOM, A KITCHEN AND A DECENT SIZED BEDROOM WITH A FOLD UP BED THAT GIVES MORE ROOM WHEN UP. THIS IS A GREAT AND HISTORIC PURCHASE.' BUILT IN 1912, THE LITTLE HOME HAS BECOME A CELEBRITY IN ITS OWN RIGHT OVER THE PAST 98 YEARS. TALK SHOW HOST ELLEN DEGENERES HAS EVEN EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN ONE DAY OWNING THE LITTLE HOUSE.

£200,000 60.5sqft LONDON FLAT

AN ENGLISHMAN'S HOME IS HIS CASTLE, BUT IN LONDONER RAY BARKER'S CASE IT'S A CONVERTED BROOM CLOSET MEASURING 11ft BY 5.5ft. BUT LOCATION IS EVERYTHING, AND THANKS TO ITS COVETED SPOT OPPOSITE HARRODS IN KNIGHTSBRIDGE, THE MINIATURE FLAT HAS BEEN VALUED AT £200,000. AND IT'S JUST RIGHT FOR BARKER, WHO USES THE TINY SPACE TO SLEEP IN, THUS AVOIDING A LENGTHY COMMUTE BETWEEN BATH AND CHISWICK. THE 49 YEAR OLD BOUGHT THE SPACE FOR £120,000 FOUR YEARS AGO, THE MIRROR REPORTED. HE SAID: 'I DO THE CLEANING WHILE LYING ON MY SOFA BED. IN FACT, I CAN WASH UP, ANSWER THE DOOR, MAKE A CUPPA AND GO TO THE LOO ALL IN THE SAME PLACE.' THE FLAT'S TWO ROOMS MEASURE 60.5sqft AND HAS A TOILET, A SHOWER WHICH DOUBLES AS A WARDROBE, AND SIX-INCH DEEP CUPBOARDS. IT WAS CONVERTED INTO A LIVING SPACE IN 1987 AND BOUGHT BY A SECRETARY FOR £37,000. NOW WORTH ALMOST SIX TIMES AS MUCH, SELLING THE FLAT WOULD ENABLE BARKER TO PUT DOWN AN OFFER ON 600 YEAR OLD BALLYFINBOY CASTLE, WHICH RESTS ON TWO ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY TIPPERARY, IRELAND.

KIERANTIMBERLAKE WIN THE NEW LONDON EMBASSY DESIGN COMPETITION

US AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, LOUIS B SUSMAN, AND ACTING DIRECTOR OF
THE BUREAU OF OVERSEAS BUILDINGS OPERATIONS, ADAMS NAMM, ANNOUNCED RECENTLY THAT KIERANTIMBERLAKE OF PHILADELPHIA, PA, HAS WON THE DESIGN COMPETITION FOR THE NEW LONDON EMBASSY. KIERANTIMBERLAKE'S DESIGN MET THE GOAL OF CREATING A MODERN, WELCOMING, TIMELESS, SAFE AND ENERGY EFFICIENT EMBASSY FOR THE 21st CENTURY. THEIR CONCEPT MOST FULLY SATISFIED THE REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED IN THE DESIGN COMPETITION'S MISSION STATEMENT. THE CONCEPT HOLDS THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING A TRULY ICONIC EMBASSY AND IS ON THE LEADING EDGE OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN. KIERANTIMBERLAKE IS AN ARCHITECTURAL FIRM KNOWN FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY. STARTING WITH 37 ARCHITECTURAL SUBMISSIONS, THE BUREAU OF OVERSEAS BUILDINGS OPERATIONS NARROWED THE NUMBER TO A SHORTLIST OF NINE FIRMS. A DISTINGUISHED JURY OF BOTH AMERICAN AND BRITISH LEADERS IN THE FIELDS OF ARCHITECTURE, ACADEMIA AND DIPLOMACY SELECTED FOUR FIRMS FOR THE FINAL PHASE OF THE COMPETITION. THE FOUR FIRMS EXPLORED THE SYMBOLISM OF THE EMBASSY, ITS PRESENCE AND POSITION IN THE CITYSCAPE OF LONDON.THEIR GOAL WAS TO CREATE A BUILDING AND SITE COMPLEX WITH A TIMELESS QUALITY TO APPROPRIATELY REPRESENT THE UNITED STATES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. THE FOUR COMPETING ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS KIERANTIMBERLAKE, MORPHOSIS ARCHITECTS, PEI COBB FREED & PARTNERS AND RICHARD MEIER & PARTNERS WORKED FOR NEARLY A YEAR AND MADE PRESENTATIONS TO THE JURY WHICH RECOMMENDED THE WINNING DESIGN. AS KIERANTIMBERLAKE MOVES FORWARD WITH THE DESIGN OF THE BUILDING, THE BUREAU OF OVERSEAS BUILDINGS OPERATIONS AND KIERANTIMBERLAKE WILL BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE CONSULTATION AND PLANNING PROCESS INVOLVING THE LONDON MAYOR'S OFFICE, THE WANDSWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL, THE COMMISSION FOR ARCHITECTURE AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, AS WELL AS RESIDENTS IN THE AREA TO ENSURE THAT THE NEW EMBASSY PROVIDES AN APPROPRIATE HOME FOR THE UNITED STATES IN LONDON. THE ANTICIPATED GROUND BREAKING ON THE NEW LANDMARK BUILDING WILL BE ON 2013 WITH A GOAL TO COMPLETE THE CONSTRUCTION IN 2017.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE VALUED AT OVER £1 BILLION

BUCKINGHAM PALACE HAS RECENTLY BEEN VALUED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME AT OVER £1 BILLION. THE QUEEN'S OFFICIAL LONDON RESIDENCE WAS ESTIMATED BY HOME VALUATION SITE Zoopla.co.uk, MAKING IT THE UK'S MOST EXPENSIVE FAMILY PROPERTY. BUT THE PRICE TAG IS HARDLY SURPRISING WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT THE PALACE HAS 775 ROOMS, INCLUDING 19 STATE ROOMS, 52 ROYAL AND GUEST BEDROOMS, 188 STAFF BEDROOMS, 92 OFFICES AND 78 BATHROOMS. IT ALSO HAS A CINEMA, SWIMMING POOL, 40 ACRES OF LAND WITH GARDENS AND PARK LAND, AND IT'S VERY OWN POST OFFICE. A ZOOPLA SPOKESPERSON SAID; 'EVERYTHING HAS A PRICE, EVEN BUCKINGHAM PALACE. AND IT SHOWS THAT THE ROYALS MIGHT BE SHREWDER INVESTORS THAN THEY ARE GIVEN CREDIT FOR, GIVEN THAT BUCKINGHAM HOUSE, AS IT WAS KNOWN THEN, WAS REPORTEDLY PURCHASED FOR ONLY £21,000 BY KING GEORGE III IN 1761.' THE QUEEN'S WEEKEND RETREAT, WINDSOR CASTLE, HAS ALSO BEEN VALUED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT OVER £200 MILLION. THE FIGURE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE £37 MILLION SPENT ON RESTORATION FOLLOWING THE 1997 FIRE. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS THAT THE ROYALS DO HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON WITH OTHER BRITISH PROPERTY OWNERS, AND ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THE FALL IN THE HOUSING MARKET. ZOOPLA HAS ESTIMATED THAT BUCKINGHAM PALACE HAS FALLEN IN VALUE BY AN ESTIMATED £57 MILLION IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. WINDSOR CASTLE FARED ONLY SLIGHTLY BETTER WITH A DROP IN VALUE OF £8 MILLION SINCE LAST SUMMER.

WHITE HOUSE VALUE DROPS BY $15.5 MILLION

EVEN THE WHITE HOUSE ISN'T IMMUNE TO THE DECLINE IN THE NATIONAL HOUSING MARKET, THE FAMED AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL MANSION IN WASHINGTON DC PLUMMETED IN VALUE BY $15.5 MILLION TO $292.5 MILLION OVER THE PAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY BY REAL ESTATE SITE ZILLOW. THIS MARKS THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW THAT THE CLASSIC LANDMARK'S VALUE HAS DECLINED, MAKING FOR A TOTAL LOSS OF AN ESTIMATED $39.5 MILLION, MEANING IT WAS ONCE WORTH $332 MILLION. DESIGNED BY IRISH ARCHITECT JAMES HOBAN, BUILT IN 1792 AND MUCH IMPROVED AND EXPANDED SINCE, THE GATED RESIDENCE AT 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NOW STANDS AT 55,000 SQUARE FEET AND SITS ON 18 LANDSCAPED ACRES. IT ALSO HAS 132 ROOMS INCLUDING 16 BEDROOMS, 35 BATHS, THREE KITCHENS, THREE ELEVATORS, 28 FIREPLACES AND AN UNDERGROUND BUNKER.

YVES SAINT LAURENT'S RUE DE BABYLONE APARTMENT FOR SALE

FAMED ICONIC FRENCH FASHION DESIGNER YVES SAINT LAURENT'S INCREDIBLE COLLECTIONS OF ANTIQUES, ART, FURNITURE, DECORATIVE OBJECTS AND STUNNING PERSONAL EFFECTS WERE RECENTLY SOLD AT A SERIES OF HISTORIC RECORD BREAKING AUCTIONS, WHICH SAW A TOTAL A TOTAL OF OVER $700 MILLION IN LOT SALES. NOW THE LEGENDARY COUTURIER'S PARIS DUPLEX ON THE RUE DE BABYLONE, WHICH HOUSED MANY OF HIS MOST BELOVED PRIZED POSSESSIONS COLLECTED WITH LONGTIME PARTNER PIERRE BERGE OVER A PERIOD OF DECADES, IS BEING PUT UP FOR SALE AS WELL. THE 5,400 sqft APARTMENT WITH A MASSIVE GARDEN HAS BEEN LISTED WITH THE PRESTIGIOUS PARIS-BASED AGENCY EMILLE GARCIN AND IS EXPECTED TO FETCH AT LEAST $30 MILLION, ACCORDING TO A RECENT ARTICLE IN WWD.