279 Garden Dr., Westlake Village, Calif.Engel & Volkers
279 GARDEN DR., WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIF.
LISTING PRICE: US$4,795,000
SELLING PRICE: US$4.2-million
DAYS ON MARKET: 60
LISTING AGENT: Nicole Van Parys, Engel & Volkers
The Action: Wayne Gretzky and his wife, Janet, had been living in the house for a year, listing agent Nicole Van Parys said. The family moved out on Monday, headed for their new home at nearby 1072 Newbern, a 13,000-square-foot house they built for themselves but sold in 2005 for US$18-million.
Ms. Gretzky remodelled both homes.
Ms. Van Parys says the Gretzkys decided that the 5,600-square-foot Garden Drive property, part of the Sherwood Country Club, was too small. Daughter Emma Gretzky wanted something with a tennis court, according to the agent.
The house is part of the Sherwood Country Club.Engel & Volkers
When the Newbern house came back onto the market, the Gretzkys decided that’s where they belonged.
“It didn’t work out financially for the latest buyer, so we approached [the Gretzkys] and they bought it,” Ms. Van Parys said. “It’s one of the most expensive homes in Sherwood, if not the most expensive.”
She declined to say the amount paid.
Janet Gretzky remodelled the home.Engel & Volkers
The Gretzkys also have a compound in Idaho and a house in St. Louis.
Originally, their daughter Paulina and her golfer husband Dustin Johnson were going to live at the Garden Drive house, but they changed their plans, says Ms. Van Parys.
What They Got The open-concept interior has dark wood flooring and built-in cabinetry, four bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms and a gourmet chef’s kitchen.
The master suite has a sitting area that overlooks a backyard with infinity pool, al fresco dining area, barbecue and bar. There are also views of the golf course.
The Agent’s Take: Ms. Van Parys says Mr. Gretzky is a “superstar” in the United States, but his wife’s taste also makes their houses highly marketable.
“When they are done with a home and giving it to the next person, that is a very lucky buyer, because her taste is unequalled – her colour schemes, the materials.”
The buyers intend to live in the house.Engel & Volkers
They received three offers and the buyers, one of whom is American, intend on living in the house. The house on Newbern had only been lived in part time, or left vacant, but most people in the area live in their homes, said Ms. Van Parys, who has recently shown properties to Leonardo DiCaprio and Adam Levine.