Celebrity Roundup: Leona Helmsley, Gianni Versace, Samuel Goldwyn Jr., and Bette Davis

Leona Helmsley’s house
521 Round Hill Rd, Greenwich, CT
For sale: $95 million
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According to The Real Estate Bloggers (via The (Stamford) Advocate), the former estate of Queen of Mean, Leona Helmsley, just took a price reduction from $125 million to $95 million.  Dunnellen Hall, as the home is called, rests on one of the highest hills in Greenwich and is said to have distant views of Long Island Sound. History shows it was built in 1918 for $1 million by a father as a wedding gift for his daughter and was home to a series of owners who seemed to be affected by misfortune. This includes Helmsley who spent 19 months in prison, starting in 1989, for tax evasion and illegal billing from the remodeling work done on Dunnellen Hall.  Helmsley was a notorious dog-lover, always accompanied by her Maltese “Trouble,” and the settlement of the estate is said to be earmarked for agencies and services dedicated to dogs.

Listing description (by David Ogilvy & Associates): Glorious iron gates open through classic stone walls at the entrance. Ornate light posts line the broad driveway, sweeping through lovely open, rolling lawns past the columned pergola to the spectacular walled courtyard with a magnificent 70-foot marble reflecting pool with a three-tier fountain - it is a sublime approach to this wonderful manor… much more here. For the ultimate in opulence, take a look at these photos of Helmsley’s house.

Gianni Versace’s house
1116 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL, 33139
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About the house: Casa Casuarina was built in 1930 and designed after Alcazar de Colon in Santo Domingo, a residence built in 1510 by Diego Columbus, son of Christopher Columbus. Fashion designer Gianni Versace purchased Casa Casuarina in 1992 for $2.9 million.  On the morning of July 15, 1997, Versace was returning home after buying magazines just a few blocks away when he was shot and killed on the steps of his home by Andrew Cunanan. Communications billionaire Peter Loftin purchased Casa Casuarina in September 2000 for $19 million and converted it into a member’s-only club and 5-star hotel.

Samuel Goldwyn Jr’s house
1200 Laurel Ln, Beverly Hills, CA
For sale: $24 million
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Film producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr., whose dad put the “Goldwyn” into “Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM),” who produced such films as “Mystic Pizza” and “The Preacher’s Wife,” and whose son is Tony Goldwyn, the villain “Carl Bruner” in “Ghost,” is selling his two-acre, 10,982 square foot, 6-bedroom, 5-bath home, which is the house his dad built back in 1925. [Source: Real Estalker]

Listing description (by Joyce Rey of Estates Division of Coldwell Banker Previews International) — First time ever on the market. Exquisite classic traditional architecture set on two beautiful Beverly Hills acres, nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac just behind the Beverly Hills Hotel. This superb residence has an ideal floor plan including fabulous patio loggias and wonderful yard, exceptional solar heated pool, patio and pool house. Sunken lighted professional tennis court is adjacent to lush fruit orchard. The main residence greets you with an elegant staircase, lovely galleria, perfectly scaled rooms, 35 MM paneled projection room. Main level also offers 2 room guest suite with private entrance and patio. Grand master suite with veranda, 3 additional bedrooms, upstairs gym, eating area / study, kitchenette, laundry room. Over sized cook’s kitchen which is ideal for extensive entertaining. Generous formal dining room lined with French doors leading out to lovely trellis covered brick patio. Large garage guest apartment. Double over sized motor court. Sparkling city lights. Once in a lifetime opportunity.

Bette Davis’ house
784 N Patencio Rd, Palm Springs, CA
Recently sold: $4.8 million
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OK, Bette Davis didn’t actually own the home, according to Big Time Listings, but she did lease the guest house in the 1950s and 60s. The home was recently sold to some “snowbirds from Canada” in February of 2008.