Photo: The Bienstock Group
While it remains to be seen where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will ultimately settle, Los Angeles and Vancouver seem to be the most likely candidates for the royal couple and their young son, Archie.
Markle is no stranger to the LA real estate market — the Duchess of Sussex grew up in La La Land and, in 2011, settled into a stately, colonial-style rental in the Hancock Park neighborhood with her ex-husband, Trevor Engelson.
Photo: The Bienstock Group
The light-filled two-story residence, which Markle called home for two years, has been on the market since August and underwent a $49,000 price cut in September. Today, the status of the home changed from ‘for sale’ to ‘contingent,’ signaling that an offer has been accepted by the seller.
We doubt Markle would have purchased her former digs (it would take a heck of a lot of sage to banish the bad breakup juju in there), but the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home is absolutely charming.
Photo: The Bienstock Group
The first floor features a spacious living room with a natural stone surround fireplace. The space is open to the formal dining area, which then flows out to a covered patio by way of French doors. There’s an enclosed family room off the living room — the perfect kid-friendly space where messes can be hidden behind closed doors.
Photo: The Bienstock Group
The kitchen and breakfast area are rather tight, not all that surprising for a home that was built in 1924, but we imagine Markle made the most of it as an avid cook. The galley kitchen boasts quartz countertops, two stainless steel ranges, brass hardware and bright white cabinetry. Off the breakfast area is a full bathroom and laundry space, which repeats many of the same design elements featured in the kitchen.
Photo: The Bienstock Group
Heading upstairs, you’ll find four nearly identically-sized bedrooms in each corner. Two of the bedrooms share a full bathroom, which comes equipped with a double vanity. The wall-to-wall subway tile is slightly overwhelming, but overall the style feels fresh and modern — we’re particularly keen on the patterned floor.
Photo: The Bienstock Group
The master bedroom is moody and dramatic (fitting for Hollywood types), with a good-sized closet and ensuite bath. A floor-to-ceiling backsplash of gray and white tiles laid in a herringbone pattern serves as the focal point, but competes for attention with the marble flooring. There are several gilded touches, like the pentagon-shaped mirrors, faucets and shower frame.
Photo: The Bienstock Group
The adjacent L-shaped bedroom could function as a guest bedroom or home office, as it offers a smaller reach-in closet behind mirrored doors. Outside, there’s a large grassy lawn with a paved area for alfresco dining and a driveway that leads to a freestanding two-car garage.
Photo: The Bienstock Group
The rare colonial may be historic in its own right, but few LA homes can also claim ties to the royal family.
