Snapchat Stays in Venice Office Longer Than 10 Seconds

Snapchat's Market Street expansion.

This story first appeared in the Feb. 7 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

Snapchat is laying down roots in Los Angeles.

Last year, the fast-rising photo messaging service (which turned down a $3 billion cash buyout offer from Facebook in November) signed leases on 6,000 square feet of office space on Market Street in Venice. Now the company has leased an additional 3,940 square feet on the same side of the street, according to sources close to the deal.

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The two-story building, built in 1922 and located just a block from the beach, is owned by producer-director Tony Bill, who is said to originally have purchased the property back in the 1970s with earnings from The Sting, for which he shared a best picture Oscar with Michael and Julia Phillips. The ground floor of the building was an Aardvarks vintage clothing store until 2010 and, more recently, an art gallery.

The deal isn't the only way Snapchat is increasing its Venice footprint: In addition to the company's expanding Market Street presence, co-founder Bobby Murphy, 25, purchased a two-bedroom, Larry Scarpa-designed home nearby for $2.1 million in December. Bill and Snapchat did not return calls for comment.

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Real Estate Round-Up: Christina Ricci Lists; Robert Pattinson Sells; Jim Parsons Buys (and Lists)

Robert Pattinson's home was purchased by Jim Parsons.

Christina Ricci has listed her Los Feliz bungalow for $1.65 million, according to real estate blog Trulia. The actress purchased the 1,891-square-foot home in December of 2005 for $1.505 million. Located behind a gated driveway, the two-bedroom home -- featuring open-plan common areas, a covered patio and swimming pool -- was built in 1957.  Aileen Comora of The Agency holds the listing.

Robert Pattinson successfully sold his Los Feliz spread for $6.37 million. The actor purchased 1922 home, designed by Stile O. Clements (of the El Capitan Theater) in September of 2011 for $6.275 million and famously lived in the three-bedroom mansion with Kristen Stewart. David Gray of Partners Trust Beverly Hills represented Pattinson in the sale and Ronald Shore of Keller Williams Coastal Properties was the buyer’s agent.

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The lucky buyer of the Pattinson home, which has been owned by Tim Curry, Noah Wyle and cinematographer Robert Richardson, was actor Jim Parsons, of CBS’s The Big Bang Theory.

Parsons and his art director partner Todd Spiewak, in turn put their Los Feliz hillside home on the market for $1.85 million, reports Trulia. The remodeled home, with three bedrooms and just over 2,800-square-feet of living space, is located just a few blocks from their newly purchased upgrade.

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Bob and Dolores Hope's Palm Springs Estate Gets a $16 Million Price Chop

The asking price of Bob and Dolores Hope's iconic Palm Springs estate has been dropped from $50 million to $34 million. The sprawling, 23,366-square-foot John Lautner-designed home originally came to market as a private listing in March of 2013 and was heralded as the desert's most expensive single-family home.   

Now the distinctive house, with its curved concrete lines, open courtyard and living room built to accommodate a boulder that juts into the room, will be listed on the Multiple Listing Service to attract a wider audience, according to The Desert Sun.    

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Perched atop the Southridge neighborhood, the six-bedroom, 10-bathroom concrete, steel and glass house features indoor and outdoor pools, a tennis court, putting greens and murals by painter Garth Benton, who also created murals at the Getty Villa.

The home, which was used as a second residence by the Hopes, where they entertained frequently, was the largest residence ever designed and built by Lautner.

 Patrick Jordan and Stewart Smith of Windermere Real Estate in Palm Springs have the listing. 

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Fiji Retreat Where Bill Gates, Jim Carrey and Celine Dion Stayed Hits the Market

Want to sleep where Bill Gates, Michelle Pfeiffer and Jim Carrey all relaxed? One of Fiji’s most luxurious properties will be auctioned off Friday, Feb. 7. Although the retreat was previously listed for $12.99 million with an additional guest residence also available for $6.99 million, the Concierge Auctions event will start with no reserve.

Named after the long-tailed birds that fly around the island, Lawedua is one of only five homes on Wakaya, the crown-jewel island owned by Fiji Water founder David Gilmore, who made the purchase in 1973. Perched high above white sand private beaches, the 10-acre estate is surrounded by a barrier reef that is designated as a protected marine reserve.

Designed by late Ski Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, the home is an example of “tropical modernism” where colonial architecture is fused with clean lines and open spaces, along with vaulted ceilings, bamboo details and matted walls.

Selling without reserve on Feb. 7, www.FijiLuxuryAuction.com.

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