It's no secret that Ellen DeGeneres has a keen eye for real estate, transforming lacklustre properties into luxury homes, before selling them on for millions. But since wrapping up The Ellen DeGeneres Show back in May 2022, the seasoned real estate developer has seemingly become even more prolific. In fact, according to the New York Post, Ellen has bought and sold $450 million (£365m) in homes over the last two decades – a staggering feat. Click or scroll on and let's take a look at some of the incredible houses she's bought, owned and flipped over the years...
Not long after the launch of her eponymous sitcom, Ellen, in 1994, the star snapped up her first home in a long line of many – a small Spanish-style house in West Hollywood. Since meeting her wife, Portia de Rossi, in 2005, the pair have amassed nothing short of a property empire, renovating and selling an enormous array of homes in the process, often buying and selling dozens in the space of a year. No wonder she's gained herself a reputation as the ultimate celebrity house flipper.
Ellen bought this property in Laurel Canyon in 2004 for just shy of $1.3 million (£1.1m). Nicknamed 'The Treehouse' after its private and elevated location, she reportedly renovated the bungalow, giving it a modern zen-style makeover. The star sold it for $2.1 million (£1.7m) to Hollywood director, David Weissman, a year later, but since then it has had a long list of famous owners, including the late Heath Ledger and The Hunger Games star, Josh Hutcherson.
Inside, the single-storey, two-bed home features polished concrete floors, wood-beamed ceilings and a master suite with a walk-in wardrobe. The perfect celebrity sanctuary, the beautiful bungalow has spacious living areas with views out across the surrounding tree canopy.
The stand-out feature of the home has to be the huge 2,500-square-foot outdoor deck. Perfect for entertaining, it's shrouded by trees and features an outdoor grill and screening facilities. We bet it's seen its fair share of star-studded movie nights!
The talk show host loved this next Hollywood home so much, she bought it twice. First snapping it up in 2005 for an undisclosed amount, she also purchased the neighbouring house, selling both in 2007 for around $10 million (£8.1m), according to public records. Completely renovated by famed designer Marmol Radziner, the home is the perfect example of the Hollywood Regency style.
In September 2014, Ellen and her wife Portia de Rossi decided to buy the property for the second time for the sum of $8.8 million (£7.1m). Two years later, property records show that the couple offloaded the sleek and stylish pad once more, this time for $10 million (£8.1m). Talk about deja vu!
Measuring 5,100 square feet, the five-bedroom, four-bathroom home offers breathtaking views from the living room and rear covered patio, which features an array of terraces and a luxury swimming pool. Located in the well-known Trousdale Estates neighbourhood, it still has many features from the original design, such as wood-panelled ceilings, bay windows and patio columns.
This sprawling American estate was bought by Ellen in 2006 for a reported $15.8 million (£12.8m), according to Variety. However, the comedian didn't hang onto the vast Montecito mansion for long, selling it on the following year to former Google CEO, Eric Schmidt, for a cool $20 million (£16.2m).
Sitting on over four acres of land, the house was built in 1926 and offers four luxurious bedrooms and four bathrooms, including the huge master suite, which has 1,300 square feet of floor space. If that wasn't enough, the significant property also comes with a guest house for hosting VIP visitors in style.
Outside within the manicured grounds, you'll also find a studio, tennis court and extensive gardens with a meditation area. With a history steeped in celebrity names, the property was famously the location of Kim Kardashian's lavish wedding to former professional basketball player, Kris Humphries, in August 2011. The wedding reportedly cost $10 million (£8.1m) but in true celebrity style, they separated after just 72 days of marriage.
This ultra-private modern estate in Beverly Hills was Ellen's next purchase in 2007. She shelled out nearly $29 million (£23.5m) for the pad and over the next few years, bought up the surrounding properties at a cost of around $50 million (£40.4m). The couple decided to list the estate in 2011, putting it on the market for $49 million (£39.6m). However, they ended up selling at a loss, to the man behind Keeping up with the Kardashians, Ryan Seacrest.
Seacrest snapped the compound up for a cool $37 million (£30m) in 2012, and he certainly had the last laugh. After owning the near three-acre compound for eight years, the TV star decided to wave goodbye, placing it on the market with an $85 million (£68.7m) asking price. As one of the most expensive celebrity homes of all time, the 9,200-square-foot main property was later reduced to just shy of $70 million (£56.7m) and reportedly sold for $51 million (£4.1m) in 2022.
The estate sits on its very own street in Beverly Hills and features a 9,200-square-foot main property, two guest houses and a further three-bedroom house. Overall, the acreage offers a total of nine bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, plus a fitness facility and an underground garage. Surrounded by lavishly landscaped grounds, the property has a pond, infinity pool, spa and a state-of-the-art security system – a must for any A-lister.
With Portia being an avid equestrian, the couple next purchased this 26-acre horse ranch just north of Los Angeles in 2008 for $8.5 million (£6.9m). The stunning home was built in the 1920s for actor William Powell, having also served as both a monastery and a rehab centre in the past, according to Vogue.
Overall, the palatial country property has eight bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. The grounds are filled with billionaire bling, including two entertaining barns, eight cabins, a yoga pavilion, a treehouse, a tennis court and state-of-the-art horse facilities, which include a dressage arena, hay barn and tack room. What more could anyone need?
The huge home was completely overhauled by Ellen and Portia, with the couple spending time living in each of the eight cabins as they transformed them with different interior finishes, from sleek and contemporary to rustic and romantic. The celebrity ranch is one of their longest-kept properties. They owned it for five years, before selling it in 2013 for a sizeable $10.9 million (£8.8m).
Ellen purchased this mid-century Malibu beach house in December 2011 for $12 million (£9.7m), from none other than actor Brad Pitt. Another successful flip, the talk show host sold it just six months later in June 2012 for $13 million (£10.5m). Brad Pitt, who's also no stranger to flipping homes, had spent many months renovating the house, which is maybe why it was sold in such a short time frame.
Built in 1962, the stylish house offers four bedrooms and four bathrooms. The main living spaces feature swathes of glass and dark bamboo flooring, as well as striking mid-century modern furniture and dramatic architectural features, such as the huge chandelier in the living room.
Sitting on 1.26 acres overlooking Malibu's breathtaking coastline, the amazing property has dreamy ocean views and comes with no end of luxury amenities, including a tennis court, lap pool and private beach access. Just imagine waking up to the ocean every morning.
Ellen scooped up this significant mid-century modern home in 2012 for a huge $17.4 million (£14.1m). Built by the famous architect, Hal Levitt, in 1956, for the movie theatre mogul Charles Skouras Jr., it was once used as the backdrop for a Versace campaign. According to an interview with the New York Times, Ellen had her own decorators, Kathleen and Tommy Clements, completely re-do the interiors.
Two years after buying it, the property was sold to Roger Birnbaum, the owner of Spyglass Entertainment, for $20 million (£16.2m), $2.6 million (£2.1m) more than Ellen paid for it. It looks like those extensive renovations were well worth the money.
In 2013, the couple bought this remarkable historic home for a whopping $26.5 million (£21.5m). A homage to 17th-century Italian villas, the stone house was designed in the 1930s by architect Wallace Frost as his very own home and later renovated by interior designer John Saladino, followed by Ellen and Portia.
The pair thoroughly modernised the grand 10,500-square-foot home, which has six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, as well as multiple libraries. However, this wasn't enough for the couple, as they also purchased two adjacent properties to extend the estate to almost 17 acres, adding a sleek infinity pool to the grounds.
The extended house went back on the market in March 2017 for an enormous $45 million (£36.4m). Sadly for the couple, it sold in July 2018 to Netflix exec, Ted Sarandos, for more than $10 million (£8.1m) less than the original asking price, eventually going for $34 million (£27.5m). Still, it was another huge profit for Ellen and Portia...
One of Ellen's most successful house flips is the Brody House in Holmby Hills, California. It was built in 1949 for wealthy art-collecting couple Sidney and Frances Brody, with Ellen splashing out a staggering $40 million (£32.3m) for the property in 2014. A magnificent piece of architecture, the modernist home is rumoured to have been one of Ellen's favourite projects.
While the home may sit on a modest two acres of land, the main residence isn't short on space, with just less than 12,500 square feet of accommodation. The nine-bedroom, eight-bathroom house also has a wow-factor open-plan living room, with a library and stylish chef's kitchen. Meanwhile, the outside area offers a swimming pool, guest house and professional-style tennis court.
When the couple moved in, the mid-century property was said to be in good shape, so they didn't have much to do in terms of renovations. Getting a good deal on the Brody House in the first place, they sold up to Napster co-founder, Sean Parker, for a sweet profit, with the property going for an astronomical $50 million (£40.4m) in July 2014. How's that for property appreciation?
One of Ellen's more unusual and less successful investments was two luxury condos in the heart of Los Angeles. In 2014, she decided to snap up the entire 12th floor of the super-posh Beverly West building in Westwood for $13.2 million (£10.7m). But the purchase didn't quite go to plan...
With two separate apartments on the floor, Ellen is reported to have splashed out lots of money renovating both units. The sleek, modern spaces were fitted out with stone finishes, wide-plank oak flooring and custom panelling – the perfect luxury pads for LA's elite.
However, when it came to selling the lavish apartments, it was far from plain sailing. Ellen listed the two units in 2017 for an ambitious $15.5 million (£12.5m), but ended up making a loss of over $1 million (£809k), when they both finally sold for an underwhelming total price of $11.9 million (£9.6m).
Shaking off the loss of her LA condos, Ellen quickly moved on by buying a unique timber bungalow in Beverly Hills. From the front, it almost doesn't look like a house, but step through its concealed front door and you'll find a stunning interior that's overflowing with dazzling design details.
Ellen paid $16 million (£12.9m) for the property and set about transforming its rooms with an extensive makeover. She wasn't exactly working with a dud, though. The mid-century modern home was already filled with striking features from the era, including warm timber ceilings, concrete floors, statement fireplaces, sleek walnut cabinetry and walls of glass. It was built in 1966, but today it looks brand-new.
Inside, the property offers 5,000 square feet of space, including four bedrooms, a spacious kitchen, a home bar, and a vast great room that spills out to the backyard. Perfectly manicured, the garden comes with a lap pool, a dining patio and dreamy city views. Back on top form, Ellen and Portia off-loaded the house in 2018 for $35 million (£28.3m) – making a whopping profit of $19 million (£15.4m). However, the new owner, Sue Gross, wasn't so lucky. She sold the house four years after buying it, for just $23.3 million (£18.9m), Dirt revealed.
Just like their twice-flipped Hollywood house, Ellen and Portia were so taken with this equestrian estate in Montecito, that they bought and sold it twice. Known as Rancho San Leandro, the couple snapped up the acreage for the first time in October 2017, spending $7.2 million (£5.8m) on the sizeable property. The estate has a bounty of natural beauty, with extensive olive groves, rose gardens, courtyards, verandas and equestrian facilities, so it's no wonder the couple loved it so much.
The classic main house was built in 1850 and has just over 3,100 square feet of living space and a total of four bedrooms, including a luxurious master suite fit for a VIP. Outside, there's also a 3,600-square-foot guest house with three lavish bedroom suites and a three-car garage. As well as stunning grounds, the breathtaking compound also includes a subterranean wine cellar, gym, games room and a paddock. But, as usual, Ellen didn't hang on to the property for long...
In May 2018, she sold the place to Tinder co-founder, Sean Rad, for $11 million (£8.9m), bagging her a sizeable $3.8 million (£3.1m) profit. However, rather strangely, Rad sold the ranch back to Ellen in April 2021. She paid $14.3 million (£11.6m) and kept hold of it for less than a year, finally selling it to Bumble CEO, Whitney Wolfe Herd, who paid $21 million (£17m). Second time around, Ellen made an incredible $6.7 million (£5.4m) profit, which means in total, she's made $10.5 million (£8.5m) from this house alone.
Ellen struck real estate gold when she bought this stunning beach house in Carpinteria, California, for $18.6 million (£15.1m) in October 2017. It was previously owned by the LA developer, Robert F Maguire III, but was seized by the banks after it went into foreclosure, which worked out well for our house-flipping couple. While it needed a dose of DeGeneres' interior design flair, the one-acre plot in this exclusive location almost guaranteed a profit…
And so it turned out to be. After extensive redecorating and some remodelling, it was transformed into a stylish beach house – and two years later it was back on the market. With 6,862 square feet of living space, four bedrooms and a guesthouse, plus its stylish new look, it was listed for $24 million (£19.4m) and sold within days to a cash buyer.
The new buyer was named as IT cosmetics tycoon Jamie Kern Lima and her husband, Paulo Lima, who had their offer of $23 million (£18.6m) accepted by DeGeneres and Rossi – netting them a tidy profit of $4.4 million (£3.6m). The Limas added the Carpinteria residence to their growing collection of uber-expensive properties, which includes a huge Montecito compound next door to Oprah Winfrey’s Promised Land estate. Nice for some!
Next up, Ellen and Portia snapped up this breathtaking Balinese-style mansion in February 2019 for a huge $27 million (£21.8m), despite the fact it was originally listed for $40 million (£32.4m) the year before. The property sits on over nine acres and combines three parcels of land, encompassing an 8,188-square-foot bungalow, a 1,400-square-foot guest house, a security office and a gym. Complete with a stunning infinity pond, the estate makes a wow-factor first impression.
The main home has three bedrooms and four bathrooms, which have been decked out in lavish Bali-style furnishings with a contemporary twist. Following an extensive renovation, each room now features high-end materials and dramatic ocean views. The great room boasts a ceiling trimmed in exotic wood, while the kitchen is finished with black marble and designer appliances. The bedrooms are just as stunning, with high ceilings and glass doors opening out onto a large terrace.
Step outside and you'll find incredible landscaping and unobstructed coastal panorama, as well as a stylish 1,400-square-foot guest house, a private cabana for soaking up the scenery, a tennis court, a koi pond and numerous dining patios. In October 2020, the couple listed the home for $39.9 million (£32.3m) and it sold just a few weeks later for $33.3 million (£26.9m) – not bad for a year's work!
Just three months later, savvy Ellen snapped up this grand Beverly Hills mansion for an eye-watering $45 million (£36.4m). According to Architectural Digest, the property had just been renovated by its previous owner, Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, who reportedly spent $7 million (£5.7m) sprucing it up – although clearly not to Ellen's standards.
The five-bedroom, 12-bathroom property is spread over three floors, offering an enormous 10,376 square feet of living space for Ellen and Portia to play with. The palatial house is packed full of architectural details, from crown mouldings in the living spaces to floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open out onto the lush green back garden.
The outside space on offer is no less lavish, with a wood-fired oven and outdoor dining space for alfresco entertaining, plus a small swimming pool and a tennis court. But by March 2021, the property flippers had listed their home again, selling for an estimated $47 million (£38m) according to The Wall Street Journal.
Ellen and Portia kick-started 2020 in style, snapping up this dreamy Tudor-style residence in January for around $3.6 million (£2.9m). The Montecito mansion, known as Porter House, boasts a 5,500-square-foot interior, three bathrooms and two bedrooms. The house began life as two English barns from the 1700s. They were dismantled and shipped to California to be rebuilt into the mansion we see today.
Full of stunning décor and design, the home features vaulted ceilings and cosy fireplaces in the main living spaces, while the home's two kitchens are kitted out with the latest smart technology, including a huge glass-fronted fridge that is reportedly worth more than a BMW 3-series.
The master bedroom is equally as breathtaking and features an ensuite bathroom with dual vanities and a soaking tub that sits in front of a large picture window. In June 2020, just months after Ellen purchased the compound, she sold it to pint-size pop star, Ariana Grande, for just under $6.8 million (£5.5m). After getting engaged in December 2020, Ariana tied the knot with real estate agent, Dalton Gomez, in an intimate ceremony in the home, attended by less than 20 people.
Ellen's proceeded to invest in this chic mid-century masterpiece in the Hidden Valley Estates neighbourhood of Beverly Hills. In August 2021, the talk show icon dropped $8.5 million (£6.9m) on the esteemed estate, which was designed in 1961 by famed architect, Robert Skinner.
Spanning more than 4,000 square feet, the characterful home offers five bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as light-filled living areas that seamlessly flow into one another. The ultimate historic hideaway, the pad is overflowing with elegant mid-century fixtures, including Douglas fir built-ins, terrazzo floors and redwood tongue-and-groove paneling. The home's sleek kitchen also boasts Calacatta gold and salt marble countertops.
Many of the rooms also open out to a secluded courtyard, where a lush garden and swimming pool can be found. Just before Ellen purchased the pad, it was completely restored by architect John Bertram and designer Sarah Shetter, according to Realtor. In May 2022 however, Ellen sold the mid-century home to neighbour and Hollywood talent manager, Guy Oseary, for $8.8 million (£7.1m) in an off-market deal, according to Dirt.
In late September 2021, Ellen snapped up another property reportedly for $12 million (£9.7m) in another off-market deal. Despite the hefty price tag, the Montecito home is spread over just one floor and has just 4,700 square feet of living space – much smaller than what the comedian is normally used to.
Heading inside, the three-bedroom, four-bathroom home has an envy-inducing open and airy main living space. The central space of the home sits in between two bedroom wings, one of which houses the lavish master suite. The other is home to two bedrooms, which make the perfect guest space.
Located within a discreet and privately gated community, the home also boasts a garden dotted with picturesque fountains and greenery as well as a studio, that could be used as a recreational space. However, ever the house flipper, the home was back on the market just four months later after Ellen had refreshed the interior with her laid-back style. By March 2022, the property had sold for $13.5 million (£10.9m).
The long-time talk show host splashed out $21 million (£17m) on another Montecito home in 2022, according to the New York Post. The property was originally on the market for $35 million (£28.3m) back in the summer of 2019. Built and designed in 2014 by French director, Kinka Usher, Villa Tragara is set in a prime location on the knoll above the Pacific Ocean. However, by September 2022, Ellen had already offloaded the property for $36 million (£29.1m).
The buyer was Ellen's long-time friend and high-flying record executive, Scooter Braun, who represents the likes of Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber and Demi Lovato. Blending Moorish, Spanish and Italiante architecture, Villa Tragara’s design influence is said to come from the Alhambra palace in Granada, Spain. Full of vast, open living areas, one of the stand-out spaces in the 12,000-square-foot home is the great room. Boasting towering Corinthian columns and walls of glass on three sides, the room enjoys incredible ocean views.
Just as spectacular on the outside as it is inside, the home boasts an attached guest house with a living room, kitchen and bedroom suite. But that isn't all, as there's also a Japanese pavilion, a heated pool, a swimming pond, numerous sports courts and an extravagant outdoor eating space with a 16-seat covered pergola, a pizza oven and a barbecue. However, it wasn't the only property she snapped up in 2022...
According to Dirt, Ellen went big in the same exclusive California neighbourhood in April 2022, purchasing this 1920s Spanish Revival home in, yes you guessed it, Montecito. The house had been renovated not long before Ellen snapped it up, so the property included a beautifully landscaped garden, a new roof and updated electrical and plumbing systems. But that didn't stop her from giving it another spruce up...
The house last sold in 2013 for just shy of $2.6 million (£2.1m), but Ellen purchased it less than a decade later, in April 2022, for a snip under $8.1 million (£6.5m). That's according to Zillow's property records, anyway. Alongside handsome beams, soaring ceilings and charming arched walkways, the three-bedroom historic gem also includes a media room and a basement, which would make for an ideal wine cellar.
Spoils of Ellen's extensive renovations include a gourmet kitchen with a centre island and high-end Wolf and SubZero appliances for cooking up a storm. Outside, the quarter-acre property boasts a full outdoor kitchen and a barbecue station for hosting alfresco dinner parties. A couple of months after gaining the keys, Ellen and Portia waved goodbye, selling the place in July 2022 for $8.4 million (£6.8m).
Tax records reveal that Ellen dropped $29 million (£23.5m) in a sneaky off-market transaction, securing the world-renowned Brown-Sidney House. The property was designed by celebrated mid-century architect, Richard Neutra, and Ellen bought the place from billionaire hedge fund trader, Adam Levinson, in November 2022. Levinson purchased it from director and fashion designer, Tom Ford, in late 2019, paying $20 million (£16.2m), according to The Hollywood Reporter.
A deviation from the norm for this Montecito maven, the 3,795-square-foot home is located in LA’s glamorous Bel Air neighbourhood. With three bedrooms and six bathrooms, the home is perched on a hilltop and boasts sweeping 180-degree views through its floor-to-ceiling windows. While few details about the home’s interior are available, we do know that the 1955 property was painstakingly renovated during Ford’s tenure. Watch this space, because we're sure it won't be long before it's back on the market...
As if 2022 wasn't busy enough for Ellen and Portia, they ended the year with a bang by buying two side-by-side properties in the small but exclusive seaside city of Carpinteria, California. The couple spent $70 million (£56.6m) on the waterfront compound, and according to Dirt, the transaction was the priciest residential deal in Santa Barbara County history. The couple apparently forked out $41.7 million (£33.7m) for a Tuscan farmhouse on 3.4 acres and $28.2 million (£22.8m) for the almost vacant 6.6-acre plot next door.
The two separate parcels create 10 contiguous acres, with a private path that leads to the beach. Known as the Sanctuary at Loon Point, the property was previously owned by billionaire, Bruce Kovner, and the estate was originally listed with The Agency for $160 million (£129m). Back then, it included two custom homes on separate parcels, three landscaped lots and a guardhouse. Since Ellen only bought one of the homes and one of the lots, the others are likely still owned by Kovner.
The historic mansion was constructed over a 14-year period and is laid out over 10,645 square feet. There are five bedrooms and eight bathrooms, as well as living rooms decorated with beamed ceilings, hardwood floors and marble accents. Though we can’t step inside, the home’s great room is said to boast a massive antique fireplace, while the master suite comes with dual walk-in closets and bathrooms. There’s also a wine cellar, movie theatre, marble mosaic pool, outdoor kitchen and several fireside lounge areas. We can't wait to see what Ellen does with the place!
Proving Ellen just can't leave Montecito alone, she purchased this quaint cottage for $5.4 million (£4.4m) back in May 2022. While it remains unclear what renovations she made, within six months she had relisted it for $5.8 million (£3.9m). The property would have been Ellen's eighth real estate transaction of 2022, had she managed to sell it quickly. However, it failed to attract attention and after two price cuts, the house finally went for $5.1 million (£4.1m) in March 2023, which means the flip queen made an uncharacteristic loss on her investment.
With just 1,945 square feet of space, the cottage nevertheless boasts an exquisitely appointed interior worthy of the talk show star – and the hefty price tag! Beachy and bright, the property’s open floor plan and neutral colour palette help make the space feel larger than it actually is. Beautiful hardwood floors and wainscotting feature prominently throughout the home, while vaulted ceilings and large windows add to the illusion of spaciousness.
In addition to the home’s three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms, the living spaces consist of a sleek living room, elegant dining room, modern kitchen and cosy den. The property also boasts a sheltered courtyard with a bubbling fountain, a guest cottage and a second auxiliary building, perfect for conversion into an office space or home gym.
In February 2023, the Hello! estimated that the star's property portfolio is worth $450m, each paid for with the profits she's made from real estate investments over the last two decades. However, according to the Daily Mail, Ellen’s most recent real estate snag is a brand-new Montecito mansion in early July. The Spanish-style home, known as Pompeian Court, reportedly spans 6,500 square feet and set the couple back a whopping $22.5 million (£17.5m). While anyone can steal her signature style, thanks to her ED by Ellen DeGeneres collection, sadly the luxury houses may still be slightly out of reach.
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