Since 1995 when Robbie Williams left Take That, one of the UK's and world's most popular and successful bands, the popular artist has been busy with his solo career, plus buying up real estate with his American-actress wife, Ayda Field. Over the decades, Robbie has gone on to become one of the all-time, best-selling British singer-songwriters, selling over 75 million records worldwide. He also set a world record by selling 1.6 million concert tickets in just one day.
More recently, Robbie and Ayda have been sinking their fortune of approximately $300 million into some of the most glamorous real estate on the planet, and their latest acquisition is a an absolute stunner. The Faring Estate is the couple's most recent purchase, a totally renovated and updated home that at one time was listed for sale as high as $70 million.
However, Williams has recently purchased the Holmby Hills, Californian home for $49.5 million - bargain. The beautiful house and estate that oozes character and period charm was once the home of legendary US celebrity Fanny Brice. According to website IMDb, Fanny was a popular and influential American comedienne, singer, theatre and film actress, who made many stage, radio and film appearances.
Arguably she is best remembered as the creator and star of the top-rated radio comedy series, The Baby Snooks Show, as well as starring in every Ziegfeld Follies production on Broadway from 1910 until 1936. Fanny's life and career was also the basis for the hit Broadway show and movie, Funny Girl. Thirteen years after Fanny's death, she was portrayed on the Broadway stage by Barbra Streisand in the show, which was made into a musical film in 1968.
The main house, with an attached and two separate guest houses in the grounds of the estate, is found behind the double-gated entry, located on just under two private acres. There is a circular motor court and a second gated motor court with a garage, which will accommodate 15 or more cars, so no issues on where to park a fleet of vehicles.
The two-storey house has an impressive light-panelled foyer with a spiral staircase and inlaid wood floor. It opens into a spacious and welcoming main living room with Californian sunshine pouring through the large windows. Detailed moulding surrounds the ceiling and many 'Old World' artisan touches are still evident, giving the rooms their unique period charm, but there's a wealth of modern and luxurious touches too.
The formally panelled wide entry into the library currently shows its whimsical side with a large quirky piece of artwork hanging between the two entry doors. It is likely Robbie and Ayda have brought their own interior design taste and furniture to the new property, but the vintage, character features of the house remain as the fixed and fabulous backdrop.
The formal dining room will seat 12 comfortably and above its wall panels is scenic wallpaper of trees over water. The space is so large that inviting the whole of the Port Vale football team, of which Williams is a life-long supporter and majority stakeholder according to the Mirror, to a very sociable dinner would not be a problem.
Encompassing 18,925 square feet, the compound has eight bedrooms and eleven baths too, so there's plenty of room to invite the rest of the Take That boys and their families over for a holiday too. The luxurious primary suite in the main house has a fireplace in the sitting area and what every couple dreams of: elegant separate baths, his with a masculine vibe and hers much more feminine with its own salon hair station.
Additionally, there is a chef’s kitchen with breakfast nook, a book-lined study with views over the grounds and a comfortable family room with a fireplace. In addition to a spacious lawn for energetic children of all ages to run around in and have an epic game of hide and seek, everyone will enjoy the pool, the pool house with its outdoor veranda, and indoor fitness centre with its impressive, vaulted ceiling. A rousing game of tennis can be played on the pristine tennis court and for those who like to grow organic produce, there is a brick-paved, raised-bed, vegetable and flower garden, as pretty as it is functional.
There is also a long koi pond with tiny fountains along the sides where one can sit on a bench and enjoy quiet contemplation, a truly idyllic spot to maybe come up with the next Robbie Williams' hit album.
The Holmby Hills mansion isn’t the first US home Williams has owned. After selling his last home to Drake in early 2022 for $75 million - almost $43 million more than he paid for it in 2015 - he has now captured one of LA’s most storied and lovely homes for his family of six.
It's a stunning property to have secured and now own, so surely Robbie is going to 'Take That And Party'? And to never miss the best dream homes in Wales, renovation stories and interiors, join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter, sent out to your inbox twice a week.
