Actor James Franco Selling His L.A. Home

By Mark David (Subscribe to Mark David's posts)
Oct 26th 2009 12:00PM

Categories: Celebs, Luxury Living, Famous Homes, House Tours, Celebrity Homes

James Franco is moving to NYC. Photo: Gary Gershoff, Getty Images

James Franco has been Spiderman's best friend. He was James Dean on the silver screen. He kissed Sean Penn on the mouth in "Milk." He acted all kinds of stoned in "Pineapple Express," and he's about to begin a lengthy – and surprising – guest arc on the soap opera "General Hospital."

In addition to his many upcoming film and television projects, which include a starring role as a much better looking version of beat poet Allen Ginsberg in "Howl," the 31-year-old Golden Globe winning actor is selling his Los Angeles, California house and reportedly decamping to New York City. He's determined to be more than a pretty face in Tinseltown – he plans on getting an MFA in creative writing from Columbia University and/or New York University. He's reportedly taking classes at both.

Mister Franco's sort of Spanish style house sits on a grassy knoll in the shadow of the near mythic Chateau Marmont Hotel. Property records show Mister Franco purchased the property in May of 2006 for $2,325,000 and after an extensive renovation flipped the 3 bedroom and 3.5 pooper property back on the market in late September of 2009. The asking price: $3,695,000.

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Actor James Franco is Selling

James Franco is set to star in the daytime soap opera "General Hospital" -- really! -- and he's enrolling in an MFA program at New York University. So the 31-year-old NYC-bound actor is selling his Los Angeles home. The 2-story house is tucked into a leafy lot on a twisting road just above the famed Sunset Strip. There are several patios, terraces and courtyards surrounding the house. The back lawn slopes down to a discreet, private gate that opens directly across from the Chateau Marmont Hotel, perfect for stumbling home after a long night imbibing booze with famous folks like John Mayer, Lily Allen, Dita Von Teese, Katy Perry and Cameron Diaz.

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The library/study, just off the living room in a back corner of the house, is lined with dark wood bookshelves and also contains the staircase that leads to the second floor bedrooms.

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The slate roof and smooth stucco exterior of the 4,000 square foot house only hints at the sleek and sophisticated interior spaces, which are defined by crisp white walls, dark wood floors and antique architectural details. The media room opens through black-framed French doors to a quiet courtyard that is shared with the detached guest casita.

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What might have been a narrow kitchen barely wide enough for a pin thin model or a twiglet starlet to make a meal of air and water has been opened up to the dining room. Simple, flat-fronted black cabinetry plays against a stark white subway tile back splash. There is a stainless steel farmhouse sink, open shelving for displaying pretty dishes and a Mercedes sized La Cornue brand range that cost just about as much as a damn Mercedes.

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With peek-a-boo views of the glittery lights of Hollywood, the second floor master suite includes a separate sitting room with a beamed wood ceiling and a fireplace, a large bedroom chamber with a vaulted ceiling, a custom-fitted, celebrity sized walk-in closet and a marble lined bathroom with vintage fixtures that include a trough style sink with three faucets and a massive 19-century soaking tub.

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The living room, which has a fireplace and a rough hewn wood paneled wall, opens up to the back yard through a series of black, steel framed French doors. A small but privately located rectangular swimming pool with a simple concrete coping has been sunk into the lawn.

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Comments (3)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Candee 10-28-2009 @ 3:28AM

James Franco is, simply put, a NICE GUY. The eyes are the windows to the soul and his are always so kind - he looks like life amuses him and he's so unaffected by his success. A really down to earth man. I have a lot of respect for him. What actor at his level could be bothered to give play a role on a soap opera for more than an episode or two for whatever fly by night cause? Sure we've had musicians playing after becoming successful, and actors (to include both sexes) who became hugely famous after starring in a soap early on in their career. I think it's great that he's going to do that role. I don't watch GH (although I did in the late 70's for the Luke & Laura rape/affair - 1979). Good for you, James!

btw, I just saw 'MILK' for the first time on cable TV over the weekend. I think it's the best film to come out of a major Hollywood studio (I usually prefer independent films) in years. Easily one of the best movies of all times. It's on my TOP 10 of all time list - a wonderful, WONDERFUL MOVIE!! Franco shines in that as well (obviously - he was nominated all over the place for that role). I thought Emile Hersch (sp) and Diego Luna were amazing! Just blew me away. And Sean Penn - I tell you, I think Al Pacino has just gotten a peer - was incredible. If anyone is reading this that has not seen 'MILK' - do yourself a favor and do so - immediately.

Gail E. Cooper 10-28-2009 @ 4:08AM

Mr. Franco's home is one of the best celebrity properties, I've seen. It simply rocks! I wish him the best of luck in selling it.

Dooshbagmeknot 11-27-2009 @ 7:56AM

He is in serious need of some decorating help. Faux Animal print? A reading chair placed next to a stairway with bad lighting? A kitchen that doesn't seem inviting to an eater/cook (although that's a nice stove). This house is NOT that wonderful.