Another crazy year is in the books, and while COVID-19 continued to keep the world on its toes, the real estate market remained strong.
Whether celebrities moved mansions, historical homes found new owners, or buyers simply oggled gorgeous architecture, our editors saw fit to publish some truly exciting stories.
From Elon Musk to Frank Sinatra, New York City to Los Angeles and everything in between, here are a few of our favorite real estate stories from 2021.
See also: Peek Inside 5 of the Most Stunning Celebrity Home Sales of 2021
Tech business mogul and centibillionaire Elon Musk listed his 47-acre San Francisco Bay Area estate for $37.5 million a few months after announcing on Twitter that he’d be selling off his entire real-estate property portfolio in order to focus on his mission to Mars.
The 31,000-square-foot mansion spreads across three acres. Each room consists of colossal furniture, some boasting the iconic Superman logo, dedicated to Shaq's on-court nickname.
The former Cowboy listed his 10,806-square-foot home in Dallas for $2.2 million—a reference to the number 22, which Smith wore during his time in Dallas—and that the lucky buyer would get the chance to have dinner with Smith himself following the purchase.
Steinbeck turned his vacation getaway spot into his home where his most famous novels would be written. The 2-bedroom, 3-bathroom property includes a pool, a guest house and a 60-foot-pier.
The 8-bedroom, 10-bath, 198,769-square-foot home is all beautifully designed and decorated. The elegant space has a movie theater, reflection pool with travertine columns, a library, office and a gym with a sauna.
Back in the 1960s, when Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack friends set Las Vegas on fire, the singer built a hideaway a few hours outside the city as a means to escape the stress of stardom. Villa Maggio’s 10-acre compound features three buildings surrounded by boulders and stunning views.
The brand new $22.5-million home just hit the market and boasts eight bedrooms, nine bathrooms and two half baths. Created by The Built Group, Sunset Noir joins a celebrity lineage of properties made for the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Black-ish producer Kenya Barish and Tara and Mark Guggenheim.
Most well known for being the Kiss’ rock legend, the style of his home juxtaposes this more famous persona. The contemporary, modern property is located in the luxurious gated community Ascaya, offering an estate with beautiful views of the valley and the Vegas Strip.
Hitting the market at $7.95 million, this equestrian house is a dream for anyone with a passion for horseback riding. The House of Roses is 8,199 square feet with 6 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms and a 4-car garage.
Penthouse East at 67 Franklin Street is a modern, glass duplex atop a landmark TriBeCa building originally built in 1881; it is part of a new development designed by Pritzker Prize-winner Shigeru Ban.
Named after Pennsylvania's state flower, The Laurel offers a hotel-like lifestyle with world-class amenities. This 48th-floor Penthouse will soar "Above It All" with astounding 360-degree views of Philadelphia's magnificent skyline.
Complete with an expansive library, a formal dining room perfect for entertaining, and a corner living room that looks out over Park Avenue on the Upper East Side, this dreamy apartment is one you won’t be able to gloss over.
The former home of Mattel founders Ruth and Elliot Handler – who created Barbie in 1959 – hit the market for a bank-breaking $10 million. The penthouse, owned by interior designer Nicole Sassaman, is a three-bedroom, three-bathroom masterpiece, located in the Century Towers building in Los Angeles, California, and includes a wide variety of features.
Photography by: Billy Farrell/BFA; Uneek Luxury Tours; Douglas Elliman; Richard Taverna for Sotheby’s International Realty; Courtesy of The Beverly Hills Estates; Tybee Vacation Rentals; Nils Timm; Courtesy of Stetson Ybarra Photography.; Courtesy of The Ivan Sher Group of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nevada Properties; Courtesy SERHANT; Courtesy The Laurel Rittenhouse; Warburg Realty; Nils Timm/Douglas Elliman
