Abel Tesfaye, the singer-songwriter better known as The Weeknd, has bought one of the remaining penthouses at the Beverly West, a boutique condominium tower in Westwood, in one of the highest condo sales ever recorded in the Los Angeles area.
The “Can’t Feel My Face” and “The Hills” singer paid $21 million — or about $2,555 a square foot — for the residence, which occupies the entire 18th floor. Select designer-curated furnishings were negotiated separately, according to real estate sources familiar with the deal.
The sale ties real estate developer Richard Lewis’ June purchase of another Beverly West penthouse for the most expensive condo sale in L.A. County this year, records show. The two sales are the most paid for a condo in the Los Angeles area since 2010, when Candy Spelling purchased a two-floor penthouse at the Century building in Century City for about $35 million.
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Hilton & Hyland’s Bill Simpson, who is an exclusive listing agent for the Beverly West, said people are starting to recognize and appreciate the perks, privacy and location afforded by high-rise living.
And its not just older homebuyers who are buying into the lifestyle.
“When you have a buyer like [Tesfaye], it speaks to the market,” Simpson said. “The younger generation is getting hip to vertical living.”
Tesfaye’s penthouse was one of four that hit the market in August and carried a price tag north of $23 million. Occupying the top floors of the 22-story high-rise, each penthouse was designed to fit a certain personality and features a unique design with curated materials and distinct color palettes.
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The penthouse Tesfaye purchased is called the “Mogul” and boasts a dark, masculine palette of deep navy blue complemented by walnut wood paneling. The 8,215-square-foot residence also has a designer kitchen, imported wide-plank oak floors, high-end fixtures and direct elevator access. Walls of floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping views in nearly every direction.
“This penthouse was designed for a mogul, and it’s a mogul who is buying it,” said building project manager Eric Jencks.
Jencks said Tesfaye fits a similar profile to others who have bought in the building: individuals who don’t want to be in a homogeneous living space, but also don’t want to lose the privacy offered by an estate or single-family home.
“The Beverly West has no common areas besides the amenities floor,” he said. “Every owner goes up on their short elevator ride to their own airspace.”
The Beverly West building, developed by United Arab Emirates real estate company Emaar Properties, has 35 units and features a 24-hour concierge, a gym and a saltwater swimming pool. On the rooftop is a helipad.
Jeff Hyland and Susan Pekich of Hilton & Hyland shared the listing with Simpson. Angel Salvador of The Agency represented Tesfaye in the sale.