When he met Canadian architect Frank Gehry in 2001, Brad Pitt discovered a new mantra: “If you already know the path, it’s not worth traveling.” The lesson, of course, was applied to the passion he harbors apart from cinema. “I really like architecture, structure, and design. Give me anything and I’ll draw it,” he told “Vanity Fair” magazine.
Among the many achievements of the 60-year-old actor and producer — such as seven Oscar nominations, a wine brand, or the title of the sexiest man alive in 2000 — is also his ability to invest in properties and residences worldwide. When the path becomes predictable, he doesn’t follow it and discards them in favor of new acquisitions.
“I love the fact that architecture is a huge work of art that we can be inside of. I believe it elevates our soul and affects our mindset,” he revealed on Oprah Winfrey’s show in 2004.
Over the years, Pitt has owned true dream homes in destinations like Hollywood, New York, or New Orleans (USA), in the south of France, or Mallorca (Spain). A portfolio that also includes properties that have no public records, such as in Missouri, the U.S. state where he lived for much of his adult life.
This interest has often been at the center of his tumultuous relationship with actress Angelina Jolie, which has now gained new dimensions. Shiloh Jolie, the couple’s daughter, was granted permission to officially remove her father’s surname from her name this Monday, August 19, after filing a request in court in June, shortly after turning 18. Siblings Zahara, 19, Vivienne, 15, and Maddox, 22, no longer use it either.
From the mansions bought before marriage to the residences where he lived with family, his passion for architecture has remained over the past three decades — especially during controversies. A true million-dollar portfolio that continues to expand.
The return to the place where he was happy
We are talking about the famous Steel House, “a mid-century jewel” made of steel and glass built in the hills in 1960, designed by the relatively unknown Neil M. Johnson. The L-shaped house, which measures over two thousand square meters, has previously belonged to names like James Valentine of Maroon 5, who made several alterations to the original design, according to the specialty magazine “Architectural Digest.”
The property is surrounded by lush trees that provide guests with plenty of privacy — a necessity due to the enormous windows that line the facade. These true glass walls produce a great deal of natural light, as well as stunning natural views of the surroundings. The residence also has ample outdoor space for entertainment, featuring a lounge and a dining area.
It cost 5.5 million euros.
At first glance, everything seems unpretentious due to the minimalist aesthetic or sharp lines, also reflected in the discreet decor. Upon entering, there is a modern fireplace in the living room, a kitchen, three suites, a main bathroom, a light blue closet, and a patio overlooking the pool and a terrace from which the lights of Los Angeles can be seen. There is also a hot tub surrounded by tropical plants and a separate sauna.
Richly colored Persian rugs cover almost every inch of the tiled floor, except in the bedrooms, where a vibrant cobalt blue short-pile rug takes center stage. From chairs to the blue velvet sofa, there is no shortage of modernist seating collections.
Although Pitt has left his mark on the world, his home has always been that American state. Interestingly, it all started in Los Feliz in 1994 when he bought a house from actress Cassandra Peterson, better known for her alter ego Elvira, for a then-modest price of 1.5 million euros.
In the following years, the actor acquired two adjacent properties to expand the complex and purchased two more after joining Angelina Jolie in 2005. At one point, the ex-wife also bought an additional house just five minutes away from the actor’s residence, according to “Velvet Tropes.”
An abundance of palm trees and greenery surrounds the picturesque lot. The main residence was complemented by housing for nannies, a two-bedroom cottage, another guest house, and even a skatepark built for the kids. Over three decades, he has accumulated over 20 houses adjacent to the property.
Photo: Chris White
One of them even served as a home for a 105-year-old man. The widower, named John, occupied the actor’s house in Los Angeles until the end of his life without paying rent. The revelation came from none other than Cassandra Peterson, the former owner and current neighbor of the Hollywood star.
“The wife [of the man] and husband lived there. I know that Brad allowed him to live there without paying anything until he died. It was funny because he lived to be 105 years old,” the actress told “People” magazine. “I imagine he was thinking, ‘well, he can live there until he dies, because that’s probably going to happen any moment.”
Despite the longevity, Pitt eventually sold the complex in early 2023, as reported by the “TMZ” website. Although there are no records of the interior, it is known that it was built in 1910 by an oil baron. It was precisely there that Jimi Hendrix wrote the song “May This Be Love.”
From the south of France to the Balearic Islands
Pitt also maintains a contemporary retreat in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of California, which he built in 1998, shortly after the first acquisition. It is one of the greatest reflections of his passion for design, as the star personally worked as an interior designer to erect this stone-and-glass oasis, with simple lines, open spaces, and a zen environment.
“I learned that you have to let go of many fantastic ideas in the name of harmony,” he confessed to the fashion magazine “Flaunt,” regarding this project. From the abundant skylights and wooden beams to the pine floor and stone walls, through shelves and hidden niches, it is free of any clutter.
A zen refuge. Photo: Ricky Ridecos
In 2000, after marrying Jennifer Aniston, he also acquired a seaside vacation property near Santa Barbara, which he still possesses today. It cost 3.5 million euros and, even after the separation, he continued to use it as a retreat for horseback riding or walking on the beach with Jolie and the kids.
When he was with the “Friends” star, the couple bought a mansion of 1,000 square meters, which took four years to renovate, from 2001 to 2005. Located in Beverly Hills, it is a “Normandy revival-style residence,” according to “House and Gardens.” It was originally built in 1934 for actor Fredric March and his wife Florence Eldridge. Pitt and Aniston’s improvements included the renovation of the marble floor, a wooden-bar floor, and a new cinema room. When they separated, they sold it for 25 million euros.
Photo: Tyler Hogan
One of the most notable assets in Brad Pitt’s real estate portfolio is the Chateau Miraval, a 60 million euro house in the small town of Correns, in the south of France. Purchased in 2008 by the artist and Angelina Jolie, the chapel even served as the setting for the Hollywood stars’ wedding in 2014.
The property has been one of the reasons for the long legal battle between the former couple to decide who retains ownership of the land after the divorce. This year, it was decided that Pitt owns 50 percent of the property, while the company that Angelina sold her stake to owns 40 percent.
Pitt and Jolie are far from being the first celebrities to covet the beauty and wines of Miraval, which was owned in the 1970s by pianist and composer Jacques Loussier. The musician even built a recording studio on the property. Some famous international music names, such as Sting, The Cure, Muse, AC/DC, or Elton John, have passed through that studio. But no group was more inspired by the magical ambiance of the vineyards than Pink Floyd, who recorded their famous album “The Wall” there.
Inevitably, there is also the production of wine, which Loussier devoted himself to passionately throughout his life. The property passed into the hands of American vintner Tom Bove in 1993, who preferred to give Miraval a modern luxury touch. He produced a special rosé under the name Pink Floyd.
The French estate at the center of the controversy.
The European refuge, surrounded by pine forests, olive groves, a private lake, and several fountains, includes several structures from the 17th century. It has 40 rooms, in addition to a newly built gym, a spa, a vast wine cellar, and the aforementioned recording studio. There are several pools — both indoor and outdoor — a cinema room, and a game lounge.
In 2007, Brad Pitt bought another house, this time in New Orleans, USA, again with Angelina Jolie. The three-story property, built in the 1830s, cost 3.1 million euros but was sold for 4.3 million right after the divorce.
With over seven thousand square meters, the residence is made of brick and features an extravagant front porch overlooking the city. Venetian plaster walls, intricate marble mantels, and crown moldings adorn a series of formal rooms, an updated kitchen, a spiral staircase, and a picturesque courtyard.
An ostentatious decoration.
While filming “Allied” in 2016, Brad Pitt continued to invest in international real estate. At a time when rumors about the divorce with Jolie were emerging, he bought a private villa in Mallorca, Spain, for 3.5 million euros, which has a total of 900 square meters.
It is unclear whether Pitt is still the owner of this residence, but local media used to report on the actor’s regular visits to the city. The house has eight bedrooms and a pool overlooking the sea of the Balearic Islands. In the same year, the family reportedly rented another eight-bedroom house in Surrey, England, near the River Thames, to live for several months. At least until the divorce.
This one is in Mallorca.
The mysterious house
Brad Pitt has lived much of his life in the state of Missouri. Perhaps that’s why rumors have emerged that he built a colossal mansion in the Ozark Mountains. To this day, it has never been confirmed that Pensmore, as the imposing residence is called, actually belongs to him.
Considered one of the most luxurious residential houses in the United States, it boasts 650 square meters and is a long drive from the nearest city. The construction includes 13 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms.
Larger than the White House itself, where the family of the U.S. president resides in Washington, the mysterious mansion does not go unnoticed by anyone. Despite the enormous curiosity surrounding the property, according to public records or research conducted by specialized outlets, there are no data confirming Pitt’s connection to this neo-futurist work.
Click on the gallery to see more details of Brad Pitt’s new house in Los Feliz.
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Photo: Simon Berlyn