From Victorian castles in Downton Abbey to Beverly Hills mansions in The Godfather, Hollywood has a thing for enviable real estate.
These classic homes have provided a backdrop to some of our favourite movies and TV shows. A few of them you can even buy or rent – but it will cost you.
Downton Abbey
What it will cost you: estimated value of £72 million
The abbey is real – and even has its own website. Located within 1000 acres of gardens and parklands, Highclere Castle in the UK has been home to the Carnavon family since 1679. As a friend of the family, Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes reportedly had the spectacular Victorian-era castle in mind when he created the hit series. Unfortunately for Downton fans it is closed to visitors, except during ticketed opening times.
The Godfather
What it will cost you: valued at $US115 million in 2013
This real life mansion in Beverly Hills was used as a backdrop for Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 classic The Godfather. It was also available to rent recently – at a cost of $US600,000 per month. But can you really put a price on getting this close to fame?
Sex and the City
What it will cost you: last sold for $US9.85 million
Do these steps look familiar? This is the New York apartment building where Carrie Bradshaw lived back in her single gal days. Or at least it provided the front steps where Carrie had several intimate post-date moments – the interior scenes for the Sex and the City series were shot elsewhere. The entire five-bedroom brownstone sold in 2012 for a cool $US9.85 million.
Home Alone
© Ben Schumin/Flickr
What it will cost you: last sold for $US1.585 million
The Chicago mansion where we watched child actor Macaulay Culkin grow up went on the market a couple of years ago. But even its star power couldn’t ensure a quick sale: the property was on the market for 10 months before the asking price was drastically reduced (from $2.4 million!) to get it sold.
Blade Runner
© evdropkick/Flickr
What it will cost you: last sold for $US4.5 million
Ennis House, the iconic Los Angeles estate that was used as a set for the sci fi thriller as well as for TV shows like Twin Peaks and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, was built in 1924 by famed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Mayan-inspired design was constructed using 27,000 individual concrete blocks and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the US. However, it had fallen into disrepair and was badly in need of restoration work. The property eventually sold to business executive Ron Burkle in 2011 for just under $US 4.5 million after two years on the market.
