Celebrity Roundup: Ethel Kennedy, Allen Iverson, Kiefer Sutherland, William Randolph Hearst, Mel Gibson

Is there a theme to this celebrity house roundup? Is there a common thread between Ethel Kennedy, Allen Iverson, Kiefer Sutherland, William Randolph Hearst, and Mel Gibson? Nah — this is just a compilation of some interesting houses that are on the market or were recently removed from the market. Let’s dive in:

Ethel Kennedy’s house
1147 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101
For sale: $12.5 million
See more McLean, VA real estate

If anyone is classified as American royalty, it’s the Kennedy family. And, next to the famed Kennedy compound in Hyannis, MA, the next most-famous Kennedy pad is this Hickory Hill estate in McLean, VA. It came into the Kennedy family in 1953 when John F. Kennedy and Jackie purchased it. They lived there until 1957 when they sold it to his brother, Bobby and wife, Ethel for the same price JFK and Jackie bought it for — $125,000. Ah, brotherly love. According to Big Time Listings, Hickory Hill has been listed for sale since 2003, starting out at $23 million, then lowered to $20 million, then $16.5 million and now $12.5 million. Why hasn’t this house, with it’s incredible history, sold? According to this Citizens for Responsibilty and Ethics in Washington (CREW) blog post:

Though it has since been reduced to a mere $16.5 million, the problem being not the Kennedy name but rather that, by McLean standards, the historic house is rather shabby. “You literally have to put five to ten [million] into it,” says one neighbor.

[Sources: Wall Street Journal, nwi.com]

Allen Iverson’s house
800 Chateau Lane, Villanova, PA 19085
For sale: $3,999,9000
See more Villanova, PA real estate

NBA star guard Allen Iverson, who played for the Philadelphia 76ers for 10 years before the relationship soured and he was traded to the Denver Nuggets, is selling his Villanova estate, according to Yahoo’s “Ball Don’t Lie.”  Iverson originally listed his home last year for $6.3 million, according to Wall Street Journal’s Private Properties, He purchased this Main Line home in 2003 for $5 million.

Listing description: This masterpiece of craftsmanship encompasses 14,000 sq ft of award winning design nestled amongst 4 acres of meticulously designed landscaping, pool house, stream and cascading waterfall.This modern Chateau is a haven of tranquility with four complete levels of lavish appointments beginning in the foyer and great room with floor to ceiling Palladian windows, custom rail work and breathtaking moldings. 5fireplaces, 9 custom baths, French doors and soaring ceilings throughout offer drama and grace throughout this estate. Listed by Long & Foster’s Chanel E. Overton.

Kiefer Sutherland’s house
1019 N Madison Ave, Los Angeles, CA
For sale: $4,895,000
See more Mid-Wilshire CA real estate

Jack Bauer? Located in the Silver Lake area of L.A.? Yes, the “24” star is unloading this fascinating property, located in the Mid Wilshire area of L.A., which is inhabited by an eclectic mix of residents, income levels, creative types, and businesses. Big Time Listings reports that Sutherland purchased this warehouse building in 2002 for $700K and converted the downstairs into a recording studio called Ironworks Music and made his living quarters upstairs.

Listing description: Beautifully converted warehouse. This celebrity-owned New York-styled loft has been done with quality and taste. It combines a 6,000 sq ft living space while the rest of the building houses a state of the art recording studio. It is unassuming from the street and beautifully dramatic upon entry. The residence has all rooms opening to each other, 25 ft ceilings, polished concrete floors warmed by radiant heat, fabulous cooks kitchen and all a walk down the hall to the studio and offices. Listed by Coldwell Banker’s Elizabeth “Kelly” Sutherland. (Yes, she is Kiefer’s ex).

Non-sequitur: Sutherland’s full name is Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland.

William Randolph Hearst and Marian Davies house
1011 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
See more Beverly Hills, CA real estate

Known as the “Beverly House,” this enormous mansion was once owned by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, who shared it with his longtime girlfriend, Marian Davies. It is now owned by financier Leonard Ross, who put the Beverly House on the market for a whopping $165 million, but then removed it from consideration, according to the Wall Street Journal.  This house was also reported to be where JFK and Jackie spent part of their honeymoon and was the house used for the gory decapitated horse head scene in The Godfather.  [Source: Big Time Listings]

Mel Gibson’s house
124 Old Mill Rd, Greenwich, CT 06831
For sale:$35,000,000
See more Greenwich, CT real estate

Actor Mel Gibson’s Old Mill Farm, which has 77 acres — including formal gardens, pool, tennis court, log cabin, pond, and staff housing — was recently reduced from $39.5 million dollars to $35 million, according to Luxist.

Listing description: One of the last Great Estates of Greenwich, gracing 75+/- pastoral acres, Old Mill Farm is a 1926 landmark treasure designed by noted architect Charles Lewis Bowman for financier George Lewis Ohrstrom. Resting at the end of a private, formal drive, the Elizabethan-inspired Tudor manse of 15,800 +/- square feet is majestically picturesque and showcases museum-quality details including 17th-century paneling imported from England. [Listed by Sotheby’s International]