Latest news with #Soffer
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Home closest to the iconic Hollywood sign lists for $2.25M
If location is everything in real estate, then 6105 Mulholland Highway may have just taken home the crown. Nestled into the hillside of Beachwood Canyon and perched just beneath the towering white letters that spell 'Hollywood,' this A-frame chalet isn't just close to the famous sign — it's the closest residence to it, The Post has learned. Listed for $2.25 million with Christopher Soffer and Trenton Armitage of The Beverly Hills Estates, the midcentury hideaway offers something few properties can: front-row views of the cultural landmark that has defined Los Angeles for a century. Advertisement 'It is extremely limited,' Soffer told The Post. 'Being the closest house to the Hollywood sign in the world is as limited as it gets.' 17 Located at 6105 Mulholland Highway, the 1963 chalet-style property sits at the end of a private road in L.A.'s Beachwood Canyon and is surrounded by untouched wilderness. Lawrence Fitz-Simon Built in 1963 and tucked at the end of a private road, the three-bedroom, 2,500-square-foot home will be the first time it will hit the market in almost 40 years. Advertisement 'It's perched up in the trees, almost like a tree house,' Soffer said. 'You have this sense when you're there that you really feel like you're entrenched in this lifestyle and this period of time that seems to have faded away with the modern age.' 17 The foyer. Lawrence Fitz-Simon 17 The current owners, digital artists Jeffrey Kleiser and Diana Walczak, are selling the home as part of a broader real estate consolidation. Lawrence Fitz-Simon 17 The kitchen and breakfast nook. Lawrence Fitz-Simon Advertisement The chalet is a rarity in both style and setting. Its A-frame design — uncommon in Los Angeles — is clad in wood inside and out, creating a cabin-in-the-woods ambiance in the middle of one of the city's most iconic neighborhoods. 'There's tons and tons of wood,' Soffer said. 'You kind of also feel like you're in a cabin in the woods, which is beautiful because the entire A-frame is essentially made out of wood.' The home's current owners, digital effects pioneer Jeffrey Kleiser and sculptor Diana Walczak, have used the space as both residence and creative incubator. Walczak, best known for sculpting the Michael Jackson HIStory statue and designing its digital version for the album cover, and Kleiser, whose credits span 'Tron' to 'X-Men,' are consolidating their property portfolio, according to Soffer. Advertisement 17 The home has hosted a slew of artists over the years. Lawrence Fitz-Simon 17 Walczak is best known for sculpting Michael Jackson's HIStory statue, while Kleiser's visual effects work includes 'Tron' and 'X-Men.' Lawrence Fitz-Simon 17 The three-bedroom home has played host to numerous artists and musicians, including The Association, the 1960s band featured in Linda McCartney's photography book, 'The Sixties.' Lawrence Fitz-Simon 'They've absolutely loved living there and they are creatives themselves,' Soffer said. 'They've actually recorded in that house, numerous bands over the years.' One of the most famous is The Association, the 1960s band behind hits like 'Cherish' and 'Windy.' Their connection to the property earned it a cameo in Linda McCartney's photography book, 'The Sixties.' The home's creative legacy doesn't stop at music, and has quietly played host to artists, sculptors and filmmakers over the decades. 'That place kind of attracts a very interesting crowd and has a very interesting creative energy to it,' Soffer said. 17 Nearly every surface inside the house is clad in wood, giving it the feeling of a forest cabin, while expansive rooftop decks offer panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles on one side and the towering Hollywood sign on the other. Lawrence Fitz-Simon Advertisement 17 'It's perched up in the trees, almost like a treehouse,' said listing agent Christopher Soffer. Lawrence Fitz-Simon 17 Despite its fame-adjacent location, the home has remained surprisingly peaceful, with the owners reporting no issues from tourists or passersby. Lawrence Fitz-Simon 17 It has also performed well as a short-term rental, earning spots in Travel + Leisure and the Emmy-winning show Staycation. Lawrence Fitz-Simon Though it's tucked into the hills, the property is not without modern acclaim. It has been featured on 'Staycation,' the Emmy-winning travel show, and was recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of California's best Airbnbs. Advertisement The owners even produce 'Hollywood Honey' on the premises, courtesy of a small hillside apiary tended by a local beekeeper. The house's positioning on the ridge yields dual vistas: the Hollywood sign at its back and sweeping views of downtown L.A., Griffith Park, and — on clear days — the Pacific Ocean at its front. 'When you are building on a site like that, the Hollywood sign is as direct as it gets,' Soffer said. 'When you're sitting on either of the rooftop decks, all you can see is the Hollywood sign… and on the front of the house, you have these panoramic views of the city.' 17 The property even features a honeybee colony producing 'Hollywood Honey' on a hillside perch. Lawrence Fitz-Simon Advertisement 17 The surrounding land is protected from overdevelopment, with only one neighboring lot eligible for construction. Lawrence Fitz-Simon 17 Soffer described the home as a rare architectural gem, especially in a city where A-frame homes are uncommon. Lawrence Fitz-Simon The listing also marks a nod to the roots of the surrounding area. 'Originally, Beachwood Canyon was built by a single guy and he had done it because he wanted to create a neighborhood that was perfect for Hollywood and studio production,' Soffer said. 'When they first built the Hollywood sign, it was actually almost like an advertisement for the neighborhood.' Advertisement At the time, the sign was even illuminated at night — a touch of glamor that has since disappeared. 'They actually used to have lights on the Hollywood sign, believe it or not,' Soffer said. 'I would love to see that today, but I think it might be a little bit too bright for the current landscape of the neighborhood.' Despite its proximity to a tourist magnet, the property offers peace and privacy. 17 'Being the closest house to the Hollywood sign in the world is as limited as it gets,' he said. Lawrence Fitz-Simon 17 A hot tub. Lawrence Fitz-Simon 17 One of four bedrooms. Lawrence Fitz-Simon 'They said everyone is so enamored by the sign, everyone's in such a good mood when they're up there,' Soffer said of the owners. 'They've never had any issues with break-ins or trespassing or anything like that over the years.' There's little risk of competition either: 'To the right of the property, if you're facing the property, there's only one other lot that can be developed,' Soffer noted. 'As of now, there's nothing on it. It's just a raw piece of land. And beyond that, it's pure wilderness.' It's that blend of exclusivity, architectural significance, and Hollywood history that Soffer believes makes the home one-of-a-kind. 'The architectural community loves these types of houses — A-frame houses,' he said. 'They aren't typical for Los Angeles, and when they do pop up, it's something to be cherished.'
Miami Herald
12-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
This Miami area mall was just voted best in the country. Here's why it's No. 1
Aventura Mall fans already know it's the best mall in the United States. Now the sprawling shopping center has national recognition, too. The Northeast Miami-Dade mall, a city unto itself with plenty of offerings and surrounding traffic jams, plays big. There's a big slide, an Apple Store, an Italian food hall and market. Now it also has a big ranking: Best Mall in America, as voted in the new USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards. 'Being named the best mall in the USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards reflects our continued commitment to curating exceptional experiences,' said Jackie Soffer, chairman and CEO of Turnberry, the majority owner of Aventura Mall. 'From welcoming Florida's first Eataly to bringing the most coveted fashion and lifestyle brands, and supporting culture through our museum-quality art collection, we're proud to offer a premier destination that continues to evolve. We thank our loyal guests for their continued support and for making this achievement possible,' Soffer said in a statement to the Miami Herald. Eataly isn't the only first-in-Florida to open at sprawling Aventura Mall. Other brands trying Florida firsts in the last year include recent arrivals like Massimo Dutti wardrobe store, the fashion boutique Cinq à Sept, Dolce Vita footwear and Kim Kardashian's Skims store. MORE: How 'Florida firsts' are defining Aventura Mall. Here are some of the newcomers Twenty malls across the country were nominated for consideration by a panel of 'USA Today experts' in the fields of travel and lifestyle, according to the publication. The public was then given a chance to vote among the nominees. The only other Florida mall to contend was the Mall at Millenia in Orlando but it fell short of the Top 10. Sorry Dadeland, Aventura's also ever-growing Kendall-area rival that recently opened the first Dick's House of Sport in South Florida. MORE: Why is Aventura Mall both loved and loathed? It comes down to more than shopping Top 10 best U.S. malls So why is Aventura ranked above the others. 'As the largest mall in the state of Florida, Aventura Mall has more than 300 retail shops, experiences, and dining options, and boasts a museum-worthy art collection,' opines the USA Today 10 Best editors. Here are the 10 best malls in the nation, according to USA Today's Readers' Choice Awards. ▪ 1. Aventura Mall, Florida. ▪ 2. Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota. ▪ 3. Galleria Dallas, Texas. ▪ 4. The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, New York City. ▪ 5. King of Prussia Mall, Pennsylvania. ▪ 6. Scottsdale Fashion Square, Arizona. ▪ 7. American Dream, East Rutherford, New Jersey. ▪ 8. Grapevine Mills, Texas. ▪ 9. Tysons Corner Center, Virginia. ▪ 10. Brookfield Place, New York City.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'The Toast' Host Claudia Oshry Welcomes Her First Baby with Husband Ben Soffer
Claudia Oshry is a mom! The viral podcaster, 30, has welcomed her first baby, a boy, with her husband, Ben Soffer. The couple shared the happy news via a joint Instagram post on Saturday, May 24. Alongside a photo of themselves posing with their newborn in the hospital, Oshry wrote simply: "Things I did? That. 🩵." In the comments, several of the couple's celebrity friends shared their well-wishes, including Stassi Schroeder, who wrote, "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH!!!!!!!!!!! 🥹❤️." Taylor Lautner commented: "Omg congratulations you beautiful humans!!" Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The host of chart-topping pop culture podcast The Toast first announced the news that she was expecting via an Instagram Reel in November 2024. The footage showed her reading a positive pregnancy test and celebrating with her husband. Set to Taylor Swift's "Never Grow Up," the clip also showed Oshry — who runs the viral social media account @GirlWithNoJob — smiling during an ultrasound appointment. "I'M HAVIN' HIS BAAABY! 🐣" Oshry captioned the Instagram announcement, which was posted in collaboration with Soffer's complementary Instagram page, @BoyWithNoJob. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Fellow celebrities flocked to the announcement post to congratulate the New York City-based couple, who married in 2017. Josh Peck wrote, "Yessss! More oshry-Soffer's!!!" Social media star and new mom Campbell "Pookie" Puckett, shared in the excitement as well, writing, "So happy😭 love you guys." Influencer Remi Bader also commented, "I'm. Not. Well." On her Instagram Stories, Oshry showed that she and Soffer weren't the only happy ones at home. The soon-to-be mom shared a photo of a positive pregnancy test destroyed at one end, seemingly with eager animal teeth. "Romeo is really excited," she wrote of her and Soffer's dog, adding puppy and hand-heart emojis. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos' Sweet Selfie in Italy Sends 'Chicago P.D.' Fans Into a Frenzy
As dating rumors swirl, and , former stars of Chicago P.D., got fans worked up with their latest update from Italy. The two former co-stars explored Venice in dreamy new photos, showing off the scenery alongside a new selfie of the two posing together. 🎬 🎬 Spiridakos took to Instagram on Monday, Feb. 17, to share the adorable update, starting with a selfie in front of a unique walkway in the city. She then included some shots of the beautiful architecture and one of the famous Venice waterways before revealing a smiling Soffer walking in the rain. She also shared a photo of a gondola stand before stunning fans with a snap of herself and Soffer together, smiling at the camera with their heads touching one another. View the to see embedded media. "Best post to wake up to!!" declared one fan, while another wrote, "It's so cool that you're getting to explore the world together. That's amore!" One said, "Full and absolute happiness to you two, you deserve it 🩷." "Absolutely stunning both of you are just glowing, and Venice is beautiful," said another, as a different fan referenced their on-screen characters, writing, "Nice to see halstead and upton got a happy ending." Soffer and Spiridakos played Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton, respectively, who were coworkers on the police force and love interests on Chicago P.D. In 2022, Soffer left the show, although he has returned since in a role behind the camera, while Spiridakos left Chicago P.D. in 2024. Recently, there have been dating rumors surrounding the two actors, although neither Soffer nor Spiridakos has explicitly commented on them. Despite that, the two continue to appear close in their social media updates, such as last summer, when they vacationed together in Portugal. Next:
USA Today
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
The power of books to connect
Good morning booklovers! This is USA TODAY's books reporter Clare Mulroy and I'm here to bring you this week's news in books. I've got a heartwarming story to tell you, just in time for Valentine's Day. Last week I wrote about a book that made me cry ('This is a Love Story' by Jessica Soffer) and this week I received an email from a reader that nearly kickstarted the waterworks all over again. Soffer's book delves into the complicated, beautiful mess of long-term love. It's never simple, but it is human and it is transcendent. In my review, I wrote that reading Soffer's book reminded me of a quote on a Central Park bench that reads 'How perfect is this, how lucky are we?' You can imagine my surprise and delight when I received an email from Barbara and Stan, the couple who commissioned that bench plaque. In sharing a little of their love story, Barbara told me how special it felt to mark their new marriage, the second for both of them, and a time of health hardships with something concrete overlooking the water in the park. She wanted a quote that would be "something for everyone to interpret for themselves," and she hopes for this novel to become a part of their Central Park connection now, too. The power of books and literature to connect never ceases to amaze me. If you come across a book that ties you to others or has special meaning like this, I would love to hear. My inbox is always open: cmulroy@ In other book news, 'Deep End' by Ali Hazelwood tops the USA TODAY Best-selling Booklist this week. The romance author is best known for her 'STEMinist' love stories like 'The Love Hypothesis' and "Love on the Brain' as well as 'Bride,' her foray into paranormal romance. Readers are saying 'Deep End,' which centers on two student athletes, is Hazelwood's 'spiciest' yet.
