While speculation about the fate of their two-year marriage continued, Hollywood A-listers Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck had already listed their sprawling Beverly Hills mansion for a staggering $68 million and began searching for separate residences in Los Angeles.
Affleck quickly acquired a Cliff May-designed equestrian property in Brentwood for just over $20 million, while Lopez was frequently seen exploring potential new homes around town. It appears she has now set her sights on a historic estate on Sunset Boulevard in the exclusive Holmby Hills neighborhood. This property was previously owned by the late BCBG founder Max Azria and, before him, by Oscar-winning writer, producer, and novelist Sidney Sheldon. The estate is also conveniently located next door to the $61 million home that her former flame Sean “Diddy” Combs is selling.
As reported by TMZ, Lopez is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to purchase the Paul R. Williams-designed estate, which Azria and his wife Lubov acquired in 2005. The property underwent a substantial multimillion-dollar renovation before being put on the market nine years ago with an initial asking price of $85 million. Over time, the price fluctuated between $88 million and the current asking price of $55 million. At various points, the estate was also available for rent at $400,000 per month and was used as a filming location.
When buyers did not materialize, listing agents Rayni Williams and Branden Williams of The Beverly Hills Estates chose to auction the property through Concierge Auctions earlier this year. The winning bid of $30 million was placed by billionaire investor Ron Burkle, known for his interest in architecturally significant properties such as Bob Hope’s Palm Springs mansion and Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch.
Burkle is now reportedly involved in a breach of contract lawsuit with Azria’s widow. Lopez, who previously toured the home, is negotiating a purchase price between $30 million and $39 million with both Burkle and Lubov.
Originally commissioned in the late 1930s by radio star Charles Correll for $70,000—and later expanded by Sheldon by an additional 10,000 square feet—the sprawling compound is set behind a gated driveway and a spacious motor court with parking for over 20 vehicles. The estate includes multiple structures with a total of 14 bedrooms and 25 bathrooms spread over 30,000 square feet of recently updated living space.
Notable features include an office with skyline views, a 5,500-square-foot movie theater with a concession stand, nine fireplaces, a gold-domed library, a game room with a wet bar, a gym, a wine cellar, a catering kitchen, and staff accommodations. The wellness center includes a sauna, steam shower, and massage area.
The property also boasts an elegant double-height entry foyer with a skylight and sweeping bridal staircase, a living room with parquet floors, a fireplace, a music nook, and French doors leading to a terrace. The formal dining room features a silver-leaf ceiling, the gourmet kitchen includes two islands and top-tier stainless appliances, and the luxurious primary suite has a fireside sitting area, private balcony, large closet, and opulent bath.
The garden grounds feature an infinity-edge pool with a sundeck, a grassy lawn, a firepit lounge area, a glass-walled tennis court with an elevated viewing box, a greenhouse, a koi pond, and an al fresco tea room.
Lopez recently sold her Manhattan penthouse for $23 million after it had been on the market since 2017 and still owns a Hamptons estate purchased for $10 million over a decade ago. Affleck, meanwhile, owns the new Brentwood property and a secluded riverfront estate in Georgia, where he and Lopez held a lavish wedding celebration in 2022.
