Celebrity homes can be fascinating as they offer glimpses into the luxurious lives we may dream of. Usually, their exteriors radiate elegance and grandeur, but some of them might have crossed the absurdity line, turning into more cautionary takes than aspirational abodes. These properties clearly redefine what a dream home is and you may find yourself wondering “What were they thinking?”
Welcome to the wild side of living like a celebrity, where the homes are at least as outrageous as the stars themselves. No cookie-cutter mansions: we’re diving into the eccentricity that breaks the rules.
Let’s see some of the craziest celebrity houses; yes, beauty is a relative concept, but these particular pads earned their place on the list for some reasons.
1. John Travolta’s airport-inspired house
Located in the Jumbolair Aviation Estates of Ocala, Florida, John Travolta’s home seems to be unlike any other. The famous actor took luxury to a whole new level with two runways leading straight to the front door.
This modern marvel spans over 7,000 feet on nine acres and it features five and a half bathrooms, five bedrooms, a swimming pool, and an indoor cabana. Moreover, he owns a 16-car garage that’s just jaw-dropping, because two airplanes at your doorstep are just not enough.
The fun part is that it includes two kitchens—one for serious cooking and the second one for lighter snacks. You have access to three dining rooms from the kitchen, and all of them are centered around Travolta’s passion for aviation. His planes are parked 100 feet away. This might be the definition of living a high-flying life.
2. Michael Jackson’s Neverland-Themed Ranch
This ranch in Los Olivos, California, is legendary for being more than just a home. With his incredible music career, in his early days, Michael found inspiration in J.M. Barrie’s novel, Peter Pan, to name his ranch, symbolizing a desire to hold onto childhood.
This 12,000-square-foot estate is formed by six bedrooms, staff quarters, and two guest houses, staggering a total of 22 figures. The ranch includes a small zoo, an amusement park, a science studio, a movie theater, and a train station. After the controversial accusations, Michael Jackson never lived there again. After he died, the property reverted to the original name of Sycamore Valley Ranch, maintaining the same circus-like atmosphere.
3. Penn Jillette’s Home
Known as one half of the legendary magic duo Pen & Teller, Penn has dazzled audiences since 1975 with his charisma and often appearing in shows such as Celebrity Apprentice and Dancing with the Stars. He owns a house situated in the Mojave Desert of Las Vegas, Nevada, a standard A-frame house on 8.6 acres.
He managed to transform it into a 7,900-square-foot masterpiece. With seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms, the house is filled with vibrant colors and textures. It also has a notable feature: a 14-set home theater with a stage for live performances and a recording studio.
There are quirky touches everywhere: a wall for taking mugshots or a scrabble tile floor. It also features a lap pool and a goldfish-shaped koi pond that creates a striking contrast against the arid desert landscape. The house is called The Slammer as a true reflection of Oenn’s playfulness and creative spirit.
4. Naomi Campbell and the Spaceship House
Naomi Campbell is one of the original supermodels, and she’s famous for her modeling career. The spaceship-inspired home seems to be a gift from an ex-boyfriend, Vladislav Doronin, intended as a wedding present. This unique residence is located west of Moscow, in Barvikha, and it’s known as The Capital Hill Residence.
The house soars 72 feet above the hillside, and it has a floating wing that hangs 65 feet in the air, offering a stunning panoramic view of the lush surrounding forest. Zara Hadid was the one to design this house, and the famous architect drew inspiration from Antoni Gaudi’s design, blending their architectural styles. This house comes with a lot of extravagant amenities, such as an indoor pool, a Russian bath, a Turkish bath, a gym, and a Finnish sauna, all culminating with a grand reception hall.
This is where you can find more of the famous architect’s work: Zaha Hadid: Complete Works 1979-today
5. Tom Ford’s Ranch
The iconic fashion designer spent $75 million to own this property in Santa Fe known as Cerro Pelon Ranch. It was designed by Tadao Ando, the architect behind the Ground Zero Project and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. This is a ranch that covers 20,000 acres, being one of the largest in the area and also being home to a part of the gorgeous Galisteo River.
This property has its own airstrip and equestrian facilities, and it took part in the film Silverado in 1985. It also appeared in movies such as Thor, Wild Wild West, and All the Pretty Horses.
Outside the main house, you can find a serene reflecting pool and an eight-house barn with indoor and outdoor riding rings, designed to blend with the main residence. There are two separate guesthouses and separate staff quarters, making it look like a mini-movie paradise.
6. Katty Perry’s Convent
Known for her amazing musical career and hit songs like “Firework” or “Roar,” Katy Perry made headlines when she bought this convent in Los Feliz. Built back in 1923, the artist paid $14.5 million to get it, sitting on 8.5 acres and boasting an impressive 30,000 square feet of living space. It comes with 15 bedrooms and 15 bathrooms, a great room, a lower lounge with French doors, and a spiral staircase.
The property also has a pool with a stunning city view, a prayer house, a tower, and a parking lot for 50 cars. Katty Perry was in a legal battle with restaurateur Dana Hollister because Perry had secured the deal with the archdiocese. Meanwhile, Hollister has a deal with the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, considering she has more rights to sell the property.
Perry ultimately won the lawsuit, and Hollister needed to pay $6.5 million, but despite the drama, this is a great convent.
7. Bob Hope’s Spaceship
In Palm Springs, California, there’s an eye-catching home that overtakes Coachella Valley, and it’s designed as something that resembles a spaceship, or a mushroom, as many think. The building is the creation of John Lautner, finished in 1979, with an incredible span of 23,000 square feet, once owned by the legendary Bob Hope. He is famous for his military support but also as an actor, entertainer, and comedian.
The home features ten bedrooms and thirteen bathrooms, beautifully maintained grounds that include a pool, a tennis court, a pound, an outdoor fireplace, a putting green, and a waterfall.
Inside, there is a boulder that extends into the living room and a round opening in the ceiling that offers a great view to the starry night sky. The back of the house features a glass wall that overlooks the Coachella Valley, and the ceiling echoes the slopes of the surrounding mountains.
8. Jordan McGraw and his Tim Burton Themed House
Jordan McGraw, member of the band Hundred Handed and also the son of Dr. Phil Host, owns this incredible property in Los Angeles. Located on the edge of the Hollywood Hills, this once Mediterranean-style villa was transformed into a tribute to filmmaker Tim Burton, famous for movies such as A Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, or Beetlejuice.
The front entrance is decorated with a large serpent-shaped water fountain echoing the night before Christmas” vibe. The entryway and the ceiling mimic the rabbit hole from Alice in Wonderland, and inside, the kitchen features sleek black cabinets with color-changing lights. The reception area boasts a dazzling bar.
The house is full of entertainment options, like many pinball machines, a pool table, and a swimming pool with a floating mini golf set. You can even find a grand piano and some pets roaming around, an interior studio for recording, and one wall lined with a great collection of electric guitars. This is somehow a very creative space that matches Jordan’s style.
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