In 2018, musician Beck and his then-wife bought a 1939 Los Angeles house for $3.1 million; years later, the property once transformed on a TV renovation show, was sold to Robert Pattinson for $5.3 million

A 1939 Spanish Colonial Revival house in Los Angeles, once owned by musician Beck and featured on a television renovation show, became the home of actor Robert Pattinson and his partner Suki Waterhouse after a reported $5.3 million purchase. The property, located in the Hollywood Hills, had been bought by Beck and his then-wife, actress Marissa Ribisi, for $3.1 million in 2018. Following the couple’s divorce in 2021, Ribisi retained the home and later sold it to the actor and Waterhouse, according to Homes & Gardens. The transaction put the property back in the spotlight, not only because of its celebrity ownership history but also because of its architectural character and connection to the Bravo reality series ‘Flipping Out’. The house was renovated by interior designer Jeff Lewis, whose work on the property was documented on the show.

A 1939 home with a Hollywood history

The house was built in 1939 and reflects the Spanish Colonial Revival style, an architectural tradition associated with stucco exteriors, arched details and an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. According to Architectural Digest, the property measures approximately 2,725 square feet and includes three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms.Set on a sloping, landscaped lot, the house is concealed behind thick hedges and gates, providing privacy from the surrounding neighbourhood. Its position on the hillside gives the property a secluded feel despite its location in Los Angeles, where celebrity homes frequently attract attention from fans and real-estate watchers.The home was renovated by Lewis, who documented the process on ‘Flipping Out’. The Bravo series followed the designer and his team as they transformed residential properties, often highlighting the decisions involved in balancing a home’s existing features with updated interiors.The renovation added another layer to the house’s story. It was not simply a residence changing hands between well-known owners; it was also a property that had already appeared on television before becoming part of Pattinson and Waterhouse’s real-estate portfolio.

From television renovation to celebrity ownership

Before Beck and Ribisi acquired the property, it belonged to Stephanie Savage, the television writer and producer known for co-creating ‘Gossip Girl’. She purchased the house in 2014, according to Homes & Gardens. Beck, whose real name is Beck Hansen, and Ribisi bought the residence for $3.1 million in 2018. Ribisi is an actress known for appearances in films including ‘Dazed and Confused’. The couple’s ownership ended following their divorce in 2021, after which Ribisi held the property before its subsequent sale.Pattinson and Waterhouse purchased the house for $5.3 million, a price approximately $2.2 million higher than the amount Beck and Ribisi had paid five years earlier. The difference reflects the change in reported transaction prices, but it should not be treated as Beck’s personal profit: Ribisi was the seller, and the calculation does not account for renovation expenses, taxes, transaction costs or other ownership costs.The purchase was reported by Architectural Digest in February 2023. The outlet identified Pattinson and Waterhouse as the buyers and detailed the property’s previous owners, design history and features.

Inside the Spanish Colonial Revival house

The interiors combine traditional architectural elements with contemporary fittings. Dark hardwood floors run through the principal living areas, while vaulted ceilings with exposed wooden beams give the living room a sense of height. A large brick fireplace serves as a focal point, reinforcing the house’s traditional character. The living room connects with the formal dining room, family room and kitchen, creating a layout suited to both everyday living and entertaining. The kitchen features dark cabinetry, marble countertops and high-end appliances, according to Homes & Gardens.The primary suite includes a walk-in closet and a private balcony overlooking the grounds. Other bedrooms and bathrooms provide additional accommodation within the relatively compact home, whose design makes use of the sloping site. Outside, the landscaped grounds include terraces, pathways and a patio area designed for outdoor dining. The property also features a plunge pool, spa and covered fireplace area. Dense greenery and boundary hedges provide privacy, while the outdoor spaces extend the home’s living areas into the garden.The combination of historic details and modern amenities helped distinguish the property in coverage of Pattinson’s purchase. Rather than a sprawling estate, it is a relatively modest-sized house whose appeal lies in its privacy, design and Hollywood history.

Los Angeles’ celebrity property market

The sale illustrates how Los Angeles homes can acquire a distinct identity through successive celebrity owners and appearances in entertainment programmes. The house’s appeal rests on several overlapping histories: its pre-war architecture, Lewis’s televised renovation, Savage’s ownership and the later connection to Beck and Pattinson.For Pattinson, known for ‘Twilight’ and ‘The Batman’, the purchase added another Spanish-style residence to his Los Angeles property history. Waterhouse, a British model and singer, was also identified as a buyer in the 2023 reports.While the $5.3 million transaction drew attention because of the names associated with it, the property’s appeal extends beyond celebrity ownership. Its Spanish Colonial Revival design, secluded hillside setting and mix of original architectural character and updated interiors made it a distinctive example of the residential architecture found in the Hollywood Hills.