Key Takeaways
- Bruce Willis’s 10,300‑sq‑ft Mediterranean‑style mansion in Benedict Canyon (90210) sold off‑market for $41.25 million, more than double what Carlos and Andrea Alberini paid for it in 2014.
- The Alberinis, who bought the home from Willis for $16.5 million and later purchased the adjacent property for $15.75 million, realized a substantial profit on the primary residence (though renovation costs are not disclosed).
- The buyer’s identity remains undisclosed; they were represented by Carl Gambino and John Bercsi of the Gambino Group at Compass, while the Alberinis were listed with Jon Grauman, Adam Rosenfeld, and Bennett Bidwell of Resident Group.
- The sale ranks as the second‑highest residential transaction in Los Angeles County this year, trailing only a $47 million deal recorded in March.
- Extensive renovations transformed the historic 1928 home: bedroom count dropped from 11 to 7, new floor‑to‑ceiling windows, a private terrace off the master suite, a wine storage room, a home theater, offices, and expansive indoor‑outdoor entertaining spaces (pool, sports court, fire pits, covered dining, pizza oven).
- Alberini still owns a separate California property—a Manhattan Beach residence bought for $16.25 million in 2021—suggesting the Benedict Canyon sale may be part of a broader portfolio realignment.
The Beverly Hills estate that once belonged to action‑star Bruce Willis has changed hands again, this time fetching a staggering $41.25 million in an off‑market transaction. Nestled in the prestigious Benedict Canyon neighborhood within the iconic 90210 ZIP code, the 10,300‑square‑foot Mediterranean‑style residence was erected in 1928 but has undergone a comprehensive overhaul since Willis sold it more than a decade ago.
Willis originally acquired the property in 2004, a few years after his high‑profile split from Demi Moore. After a prolonged listing period that began at $22 million in May 2013, he ultimately sold the home to businessman Carlos Alberini—current CEO of Guess and former co‑CEO of Restoration Hardware—and his wife Andrea in 2014 for $16.5 million. The Alberinis did not stop there; in 2021 they snapped up the neighboring lot for $15.75 million, creating a compound of two adjacent estates.
The recent sale, facilitated by Jon Grauman, Adam Rosenfeld, and Bennett Bidwell of Resident Group on the sellers’ side, saw the Alberinis represented by Carl Gambino and John Bercsi of the Gambino Group at Compass. Although the buyer’s identity has not been disclosed, the deal marks the second‑largest residential transaction in Los Angeles County this year, only surpassed by a nearby $47 million sale recorded in March.
Significant renovations have reshaped the home’s layout and aesthetic. When Willis owned it, the house boasted 11 bedrooms; after the Alberinis’ updates, the count now stands at seven, reflecting a reconfiguration that likely merged or repurposed some sleeping quarters into larger living areas. The master suite is a highlight: it opens onto a private terrace and patio, features an en‑suite bathroom with a massive soaking tub beneath a expansive picture window, a separate walk‑in shower, and two spacious walk‑in closets.
Throughout the residence, historic touches such as exposed wooden beams and original fireplaces coexist with contemporary upgrades. Enormous floor‑to‑ceiling windows flood the interiors with natural light and frame views of the meticulously landscaped gardens. A grand double‑height foyer with tiled flooring leads to a cozy living room anchored by a towering fireplace and sliding glass doors that open onto a central courtyard. That courtyard, centered around a large stone firepit, separates the living area from a gourmet kitchen equipped with dual islands, a breakfast bar, and ample prep space. Adjacent to the kitchen are a formal dining room, a casual sitting room with retractable glass doors that open to a covered outdoor dining area (complete with a pizza oven), and a second sitting room that mirrors the indoor‑outdoor flow.
Entertainment and leisure facilities abound. The home includes a dedicated wine storage room, a wood‑panelled office, a private movie theater with plush leather recliners, and a wet bar. Outside, the grounds host a sparkling swimming pool fringed by manicured hedges, a large outdoor fireplace for evening gatherings, a private sports court, and an elegant pool house featuring its own full kitchen. Lush trees provide privacy and shade across the various outdoor lounging and dining zones.
Financials aside, the Alberinis’ profit on the primary residence is notable—more than doubling their 2014 purchase price—though the exact net gain remains unclear due to undisclosed renovation expenditures. Meanwhile, Alberini retains a separate California asset: a Manhattan Beach home purchased for $16.25 million in 2021, indicating that the Benedict Canyon divestiture may be part of a broader strategy to streamline or reposition his real‑estate holdings.
As the Los Angeles luxury market continues to post record‑breaking prices, this Benedict Canyon estate stands as a testament to the enduring allure of historic architecture blended with modern luxury, and to the significant value that strategic upgrades and prime location can generate over a relatively short holding period.