On the evening of 22 July, Beyoncé and Jay-Z's New Orleans home was set ablaze. Possibly the victim of an arson attack, which is now being investigated, we take a look inside the converted church that is connected to one of the world's most famous couples. Click or scroll through for more...
The $2.5 million historic New Orleans mansion owned by the couple reportedly caught fire at around 6:15pm CDT but was fully extinguished by 8:30pm after 22 firefighters attended the scene. This image, taken from NOLA.com's YouTube channel, shows the magnificent home surrounded by firefighters.
The cause of the fire has not been determined, however, the New Orleans police are investigating the blaze as 'simple arson', which is the offence of causing criminal damage by fire. The department have also “received a report of a suspicious person in the area around the time of the fire," according to the New York Post.
According to city records, Sugarcane Park LLC – a limited company linked to Beyoncé's mother – acquired the home for just $100. Managed by Celestine Lawson (the legal name of Beyoncé’s mother, who is better known as Miss Tina), the LLC is registered at a Sherman Oaks address where the singer also has several other companies listed.
The 13,000-square-foot home, which was once a Presbyterian church, is spacious and bright thanks to towering 26-foot ceilings and vast windows. The seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom property was originally built in 1925 and boasts an incredible living green roof.
Spread over three floors, the converted church blends modern touches with plenty of period features, including hardwood floors, marble accents, original columns and attractive plasterwork. A dramatic staircase sits at the center of the living room, which is zoned into a lounge, kitchen and dining area. Known as La Casa de Castille, the home also provides a loft-style sitting room and a library nook with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.
The master suite is classically styled and comes with a large walk-in closet, as well as a generous bathroom with a wooden vanity, a large antique bathtub and a separate shower. With Beyoncé's younger sister, Solange, having relocated to New Orleans in 2013, the former church, which is just off the main Mardi Gras parade route, would make the ideal base for family reunions.
Loved this? Read on to see the rest of Beyoncé and Jay-Z's stunning real estate collection...
Perhaps the ultimate A-list power couple, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have a staggering net worth of over $1 billion. The talented duo have accumulated an eye-watering number of awards between them during their chart-topping music careers, as well as a roster of successful businesses. With some serious cash in their wallets, it's no surprise that they've picked up some pretty incredible real estate along the way too. Click or scroll on to retrace their rise to the top and step inside the spectacular places they've called home.
Having tied the knot in 2008, the famous duo have built up a star-studded property portfolio over the years, including opulent homes in Los Angeles, the Hamptons and New York City.
Following the birth of twins Sir and Rumi in 2017, the Carter family, including nine-year-old daughter Blue Ivy, now reside in an $88 million mega-mansion in Bel Air. Recently captured by Beyoncé's longtime hairstylist, Neal Farinah, this private family photo was recently shared on Instagram gossip blog, The Shade Room, and shows a sneak peek into the grown-up family of five. However, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have come a long way from where they started...
For Beyoncé Giselle Knowles, born 4 September 1981, it all started in this charming brick house in Houston, Texas. Records suggest that the Knowles family purchased the home in 1986 and lived here until Beyoncé was five years old. In 2018, it landed on the real estate market for $500,000, giving keen fans a glimpse into the property where the singer spent her early years.
Offering three bedrooms, two bathrooms and large airy living spaces, the home certainly looks like a comfortable place to grow up. While we're sure the house has changed a lot since Bey lived here, it's not hard to imagine the budding singer entertaining family and friends in this elegant sitting room.
Constructed in 1946, the celebrity childhood home encompasses 2,938 square feet and has a quaint backyard. Luxury touches include original hardwood floors, a media room and a large master suite with a raised bed platform. It was in Houston that the legendary girl group Destiny's Child was formed in 1990 when Knowles was just nine years old. Managed by the star's father, they were originally known as Girl's Tyme and would go on to release five successful albums before eventually going their separate ways.
It's clear that Bey still has a lot of affection for her old stomping ground and the place where her music career kicked off. In 2016, the Queen herself visited her old neighborhood, sharing a snap with her loyal Instagram followers. The following year, she returned to take part in volunteer work to help local families affected by Hurricane Harvey, proving that the songstress still holds Houston close to her heart.
In the 2009 hit 'Empire State of Mind', Jay-Z immortalized his former Brooklyn apartment. In the song, the iconic musician sings: "Took it to my stash spot, 560 State Street. Catch me in the kitchen, like a Simmons whippin' pastry". With these words, Jay-Z made the property as legendary as he is. It's thought that the rapper lived in apartment 10C at 560 State Street for some years before he got his big break.
Revamped since Jay-Z's days here, the apartment is modern and bright thanks to a thorough refurbishment in 2005. The rapper and native New Yorker, born Shawn Corey Carter, reportedly moved into the 1900s-era building in the late 1990s, around the same time that he founded music label Roc-A-Fella Records with two friends. His loft found its way back onto the real estate market in 2014 with an asking price of $870,000, although it sold for considerably more.
Spanning just over 1,000 square feet, the sleek space has two bedrooms and an open-plan living area with a small kitchenette and plenty of space for a lounge and dining zone. The home's biggest selling points, however, are its beautiful oversized windows, elegant hardwood floors and airy 10-foot ceilings. Speaking to Seventeen in 2008, Beyoncé revealed that the notoriously private couple started dating in the early 2000s, so it's conceivable that Queen Bey herself may have even spent time here.
However, Jay is adamant that the place wasn't quite so nice when he lived there. In 2012, the musician visited his former apartment and took to the roof to soak up the view. His trip down memory lane was captured by Ron Howard in the 2013 documentary Made in America, excerpts of which were shared on YouTube. The rapper revealed that the building was once seen as an undesirable place to live, though its fortunes have clearly since changed.
Having released her first solo album, Dangerously in Love, in 2003, Bey purchased a condo in Manhattan for $5 million in 2005, the same year that Destiny's Child called it quits. Located in the sought-after One Beacon Court skyscraper between Lexington and Third Avenue, the high-altitude home is perched on the 44th floor. The 2,669-square-foot corner apartment benefits from mesmerizing views across Central Park and the towering landscape of New York City.
When she snapped up the condo, Bey had already racked up an incredible nine Grammy Award wins, so no doubt was in need of extra space to display her accolades. Spacious and filled with natural light, the home boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, towering 11-foot ceilings and state-of-the-art smart home systems. Every room has been finished immaculately thanks to Parisian interior designer Jacques Grange, from the solid panel doors to the contemporary moldings and recessed lighting.
The incredible skyscraper home offers an eat-in gourmet kitchen, which is kitted out with custom cabinets, Italian Basaltina stone countertops, Brazilian granite floors and professional-grade stainless steel appliances. There are also three ensuite bedrooms, while the master suite includes a steam shower, a bathtub with a view, his-and-hers sinks and large closets – everything the superstar could've needed!
During her time here, Bey would also have had access to private courtyard parking, a 24-hour doorman, personalized concierge service, fitness center, and valet. It's hardly surprising then that Beyoncé held on to the condo for quite some time, only parting with it in 2017, when she placed the home on the market for $10 million. Unsurprisingly, it sold in just 11 days for the full asking price.
A year before their nuptials in 2007, Jay-Z began renting this 76th-floor penthouse in the Time Warner Center on New York's Upper West Side. His music career was hitting stratospheric heights, with six Grammy Awards under his belt, including two for 'Crazy in Love', his collaboration with Beyoncé. He leased the apartment for a number of years at a rumored cost of $40,000 per month, before it was sold by its owner for a mind-boggling $31 million.
Standing proud at 4,825 square feet, the phenomenal penthouse features everything from panoramic city views to a suspended aquarium in the living room. Every bit as extravagant as you might expect, the pad offers sleek hardwood flooring, recessed lighting, floor-to-ceiling windows, a built-in entertainment center and a jukebox – perfect for hosting star-studded parties.
The views are without a doubt the home's pièce de résistance, with 360-degree vistas of the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and the Hudson River. Many of the rooms, including the lounge and master bedroom, also have direct access to private exterior balconies, where Jay-Z no doubt spent many a night soaking up the skyline.
The master suite is a striking space for unwinding, thanks to its king-sized bed, living area and ensuite bathroom. The apartment also offers a stylish office with stunning river views, and a spacious kitchen with a dining zone and marble finishes. Yet once he was married, Jay-Z decided it was time to purchase something a little more family-friendly...
2017 was a busy year for the Carters, who decided to expand their family, as well as their property portfolio. Hunting for the perfect place to spend her pregnancy, Beyoncé settled on a jaw-dropping coastal villa on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California. Bey and Jay-Z rented the residence throughout the summer, when they welcomed their twins, Rumi and Sir, into the world, forking out a reported $400,000 a month for the privilege.
The breathtaking beach estate comes with everything one might need for a tranquil babymoon, comprising a main house, guest lodgings and six oceanfront acres of landscaped gardens. The luxurious property epitomizes the laid-back Californian lifestyle and boasts a saltwater infinity pool, a tennis court, croquet lawns, plenty of outdoor entertainment lounges, a billiards room, library, wine cellar and a movie theater.
The 16,000-square-foot luxury residence blends classic European architecture with every luxury amenity under the sun. With enough space to accommodate 18 people, the pad offers 15 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms – some can be found in the main house, while others are located in the guest lodgings. Many fans will remember Beyoncé's iconic pregnancy photoshoot, some of which took place in the sprawling grounds of the villa.
The home's Romanesque pool pavilion is otherworldly. With classical friezes, hand-painted murals, dramatic chandeliers, onyx paneling and archways adorned with glistening seashells, it's the perfect spot for a soak. We can definitely see why the Carters selected this mesmerizing house for some much-needed family time. In 2018, the villa reportedly sold for $50 million and is now available to rent, with prices starting from $17,500 a night.
In 2014, the couple began searching for a permanent home but found the process surprisingly hard, despite their big budget. Bey and Jay tried to snap up a handful of different properties but lost out each time. After struggling to purchase a house of their own, they began renting this spectacular mansion for a reported $150,000 a month.
Built in 2014, the Holmby Hills estate spans 16,000 square feet and comes with seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms. The contemporary, three-story home boasts panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills, as well as an interior kitted out with the finest materials and luxurious amenities.
Everywhere you look you'll find jaw-dropping living spaces, decorated with earthy colors, floor-to-ceiling glass and soaring 20-foot ceilings. There's an infinity pool, a wine cellar, two libraries, a catering kitchen, a 75-foot-long art gallery, a home theater and a tennis court. The mega-mansion also happens to be a short walk away from the Playboy Mansion and even featured in the 1998 movie, The Big Lebowski.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z are said to have used the property as their base when not on tour, but in May 2014 the house hit the market for a cool $45 million. At the time, it was one of the most expensive houses for sale in all of Los Angeles and when it sold in 2015, the couple were reportedly given just 60 days to find somewhere else to live.
The absolute pinnacle of their real estate journey, this spectacular mansion is the Carters' latest and greatest purchase. After being turned out of their rental, the power couple closed in on this newly-built Bel Air estate, which set them back a staggering $88 million. Comprising six structures, the colossal residence is made from glass, steel and exquisite marbled limestone.
The sale of the 30,000-square-foot residence was among LA’s most expensive property transactions of 2017. According to the Los Angeles Times, the couple took out a $52.8 million mortgage to buy the pad, which equates to $252,000 a month in repayments, over a 30-year period. The couple is also said to owe over $1 million per year in property taxes on the Bel Air mansion.
Bey is evidently stroked with her new jaw-dropping mansion and has posted plenty of candid Instagram shots of the property. The custom-made home has eight bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, as well as a dramatic architectural staircase made from dark wood and Italian limestone. The windows feature bulletproof glass and there's also a state-of-the-art security system to ensure the family can relax in complete privacy.
Expansive patios, numerous sunbathing decks and four swimming pools help make up the home's almost two-acre garden. There's also a full basketball court, a spa, and standalone staff quarters, as well as a secure garage for up to 15 vehicles and a media room. Talk about a home fit for the King and Queen of music!
Around a month after they picked up their Bel Air mega-mansion, the Carters made another big real estate splurge, this time on a $26 million holiday retreat in the Hamptons. Purchased in September 2017, the pad is located in the coastal town of East Hampton, New York, a celebrity property hotspot celebrated for its pristine beaches and grand mansions. Known as Pond House, the residence sat stagnant on the real estate market for eight years until the power couple laid claim to it.
Designed by Stanford White over 100 years ago, Pond House sits on an elevated two-acre plot and was extensively renovated over two years by Jeffrey Collé. As part of the works, Collé rotated the entire property 90 degrees in order to improve the views from the living room. The spectacular space now also boasts a soaring double-height ceiling, extensive glazing, dual fireplaces and exquisite parquet floors.
Offering a total of seven bedrooms, the home's master suite is the perfect sanctuary and features an antique French stone fireplace, his-and-hers dressing rooms and bathrooms, walk-in closets and a private terrace. There’s also a screening room, playroom and three-car garage. Outside, you’ll find an infinity-edged pool, a wraparound terrace with an outdoor kitchen and a detached 1,800-square-foot guesthouse.
The sprawling celebrity holiday home, which spans 12,000 square feet, is clearly a favorite of Beyoncé's, as not long after buying the property, she took to Instagram to show off the family's new digs. Pictured here on the mansion's deck, we have a feeling it'll be a much-loved family holiday retreat for years to come.
In 2020, Beyoncé released a musical film and visual album entitled Black Is King in collaboration with Disney+. For the project, the singer decided to rent a property that would do her music justice. For the job, she chose the Beverly House, which can be found just three blocks away from Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.
The Mediterranean Revival-style mansion was built in 1926 and boasts 50,000 square feet of inside space. Every single room is overflowing with mesmerizing design details, such as dramatic arched ceilings, decorative paneled walls and gilded furnishings – so it's no real wonder that Bey chose the pad as the backdrop for her visual album.
The spectacular spread features 18 bedrooms, 29 bathrooms, a two-story library, two screening rooms, a commercial-grade kitchen, a billiard room with a hand-carved stone fireplace and a formal living room finished with a painted ceiling. There's also an 82-foot-long hallway, which can be spotted in numerous scenes in the visual album. Elsewhere, there's an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a floodlit tennis court.
The pad is one of America's most expensive homes. In 2016, it made waves when it hit the market for a cool $195 million. After struggling to find a buyer, the property was relisted in 2020 for $125 million, before eventually being reduced to $90 million in 2021. According to the New York Post, there are only 20 families in the world that could actually afford to buy and maintain the property. Watch this space, because maybe Beyoncé and Jay-Z are looking to expand their property portfolio...
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