Q&A: $150m, 23 bathrooms
Last Updated: June 24, 2011
Is the Spelling house the biggest in the US? No, not even close. It's easily surpassed by a mansion in Windermere, Florida, known as Versailles, in honour of the palace in France. The Florida mansion is often called the largest single family home in the country. The Louis XIV-style mansion is 6,200-sq metres, including 23 bathrooms, three pools and a 12-foot aquarium.
Do you really think somebody paid US$150 million (Dh550.9m)? Doubtful. It's been on the market for a long time. One report put the price closer to $85m, but nobody really knows for sure.
Is the house worth it? In this case, the price might actually be fair. Holmby Hills is one of the most exclusive neighbourhoods in the world, right in the centre of Los Angeles. There are not that many 2-hectare properties available in the centre of the city.
Spelling Manor is the perfect home for people who might feel cramped and claustrophobic in anything smaller than Versailles.
The mansion in Holmby Hills, California, which was reportedly sold last week to Petra Eccelstone, the daughter of Formula One leader Bernie Ecclestone, covers 5,250 square metres and includes 123 rooms, with everything from a bowling alley to a professional refrigeration unit for flowers.
No sale price was listed, but the French chateau-style estate has been on the market for years at US$150 million (Dh550.9m). If it received anything close to the listing price, it would be the most expensive single family residence in the US.
Earlier this year Yuri Milner, the Russian tech investor, set the new standard when he reportedly paid $100m for a cosy 2,360-sq-metre home in Los Altos, California.
Spelling Manor was created by the late TV producer Aaron Spelling - the creator of Beverly Hills 90210,Charlie's Angels,Starksky and Hutch and Dynasty - and his wife, Candy. The Spellings bought the 2-hectare estate, which is a stone's throw from Beverly Hills, Bel Air and all of Los Angeles' most treasured neighbourhoods, in 1991 and then promptly demolished the former home of crooner Bing Crosby to build their own dream home.
They spared no expense in adding their personal touches to the three-storey mansion, including a dog-grooming room, five bars, a barber shop and salon and a "gift-wrapping room". The entrance features two sweeping staircases, inspired by Gone With the Wind,The Wall Street Journal has reported.
The manor was also the family home for the Spellings' daughter, Tori, one of the stars of Beverly Hills 90210 and later her own reality television show. But the estate has also played host to the rich and famous from around the world, including Prince Charles, who has a room named after him.
Top 5: Celebrity homes for sale
1 Penelope Cruz-Javier Bardem, Hollywood Hills, $3.1m
2 Sheryl Crow, Nashville, $4.5m
3 Mel Gibson, Malibu,, $11.7m
4 Dennis Quaid, Pacific Palisades, $13.9m
5 Billy Joel, Sagaponack, $16.7m
Source: Zillow
Ms Spelling, who is famously estranged from her daughter, reportedly moved to downsize last year, buying a two-storey condominium in Beverly Hills for $47m.
The Quote: My dog can beat up Paris Hilton's dog. actress Tori Spelling
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Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Friday’s fixture
6.15pm: Al Wahda v Hatta
6.15pm: Al Dhafra v Ajman
9pm: Al Wasl v Baniyas
9pm: Fujairah v Sharjah
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
