What happens when a supermodel lists her dream home for $5 million, and then spends four years trying to sell it?
That’s exactly what happened to Rachel Hunter’s Hollywood Hills house. The New Zealand-born model bought the place in 2004 for $2.425 million after her split from Rod Stewart. She finally sold it in February 2020 for $3.45 million — a full $1.5 million less than her original asking price.
Here’s the full story behind the Rachel Hunter Hollywood Hills house — what it looks like, why the price kept dropping, and what the final sale actually tells us about the celebrity real estate game.
Quick Facts:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | 1644 N. Crescent Heights Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069 |
| Built | 1931 |
| Style | English Country Manor |
| Size | 5,000 square feet (interior) |
| Lot | Quarter-acre (12,000+ sq ft) |
| Bedrooms | 5 |
| Bathrooms | 5 |
| Purchase Price | $2.425 million (April 2004) |
| Final Sale Price | $3.45 million (February 2020) |
| Original Asking Price | $4.99 million (2016) |
| Total Time on Market | Roughly 4 years, on and off |
What Makes This Hollywood Hills House So Unique
The Rachel Hunter Hollywood Hills house sits on a gated, hedge-enclosed lot just above the Sunset Strip. It’s one of those spots where you’re close enough to the action but far enough up the hill that you actually get peace.
Built in 1931, the house has that half-timbered, English Country facade that makes it look like it belongs in the Cotswolds rather than Los Angeles.
What really stands out when you see this place in person, and even in photography, is the contrast. You’ve got these old-world details — arched doorways, exposed beam ceilings, leaded pane windows — sitting right next to modern chandeliers and a renovated kitchen. It’s a mix that could easily feel confused, but somehow it works.
The Dutch door entry is a nice touch. So is the barn door that leads inside. Small details like that give the house personality that a lot of modern mansions just don’t have.
Rachel Hunter House Photos: What the Interior Actually Looks Like
Living Room and Main Living Areas
The living room has a beamed ceiling and an arched wood-burning fireplace that anchors the whole space. French doors open out to the patio, which means you get that indoor-outdoor flow that’s basically essential in California.
Hardwood floors run throughout. The windows are English-style leaded panes, which filter the light in a really soft, almost cinematic way.
The Kitchen and Dining Room
Hunter updated the kitchen at some point during her ownership. You’re looking at stainless steel appliances, including a Viking range, plus a big eat-in area. The formal dining room has its own fireplace and French doors that lead straight to the garden.
Two fireplaces in one house isn’t unusual for a 1930s build. But it does add a certain warmth that’s hard to fake.
Master Suite and Bathrooms
The master bedroom sits upstairs and has its own fireplace, a private loggia balcony with views of downtown LA, and doors that open to a ceramic-tiled outdoor space.
Here’s what’s genuinely impressive: the master suite has separate walk-in closets — one for clothes and one specifically for shoes. If you know anything about Rachel Hunter’s modeling career, that detail probably makes perfect sense.
The master bath includes a wood-lined soaking tub, a separate steam shower, dual vanities, and a vaulted beamed ceiling, all of which are popular features in luxury home photography.
The Basement
There’s a finished basement that could work as a media room or game room. It’s not the star of the show, but it adds usable square footage that a lot of buyers in this price range care about.
Exterior and Outdoor Spaces
The outdoor area, highlighted in various photography, is where this property really earns its price tag. The lot spans just over a quarter of an acre, which is generous for this part of the Hills and often featured in property photography.
What you get outside:
- A swimming pool and raised spa, often highlighted in luxury real estate photography, enhance the property’s appeal. Surrounded by stone patios
- Multiple sitting areas for outdoor dining and lounging
- A fire pit that’s perfect for cool LA evenings
- Tropical landscaping with palms and climbing greenery
- A greenery-clad pergola for shaded relaxation
The whole backyard has this layered, multi-tiered feel — flagstone paths connecting different zones. It’s not a flat lawn situation. It’s more like a series of outdoor rooms, which makes the space feel bigger than it actually is.
The Full Price History of Rachel Hunter’s Hollywood Hills House
This is where things get interesting.
Hunter bought the house in April 2004 for $2.425 million. She’d just separated from Rod Stewart, and this was her fresh start.
She first tried to sell it way back in 2006, a year that marked the beginning of a home often showcased in real estate photography, listing it at $4.7 million. No takers. She pulled it off the market.
Then in 2008, she tried again at $4.2 million. Still nothing.
The house sat quietly for years. Hunter rented it out at one point for around a price that could have been a highlight in real estate photography. $20,000 per month.
Then came the big listing in 2016: $4,999,999. Just a dollar under $5 million.
That price didn’t stick either. Every Price Cut, In Order
| Year of construction is often referenced in real estate photography. | Asking Price | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | $4.7 million | No sale |
| 2008 | $4.2 million | No sale |
| 2016 | $4,999,999 | No sale |
| 2018 | $4.5 million | No sale |
| 2019 | $3.995 million | No sale |
| 2019 (Dec) | $2.425 million | No sale |
| 2020 (Feb) | $3.45 million | SOLD |
That’s a wild ride. At one point in December 2019, she dropped the price all the way down to $2.425 million — exactly what she paid 15 years earlier. Basically a half-price bargain compared to the original ask.
Then she bumped it back up to $3.45 million. And that’s the number that finally worked.
The house sold on Getty Images for a stunning price. February 24, 2020.
Why Did It Take So Long to Sell?
Here’s the thing about celebrity real estate — the “celebrity premium” doesn’t always work the way sellers hope.
A few factors likely played a role:
The price was ambitious from the start. $5 million for a 5,000-square-foot home in Hollywood Hills West is doable, but buyers at that level have options. The house needed to feel like a steal, not just a fair deal.
The layout is charming but specific. An English Country manor with leaded windows and beamed ceilings appeals to a certain buyer. But that buyer also has to want to live above the Sunset Strip, which comes with its own set of trade-offs — traffic, noise, tourists.
Timing matters. The 2016 listing hit a hot market, but the house still didn’t move. By 2019, when Hunter dropped the price dramatically, the market had shifted.
What really surprised me is that she ended up selling for less than what she originally paid when you adjust for inflation. $2.425 million in 2004 is roughly $3.3 million in 2020 dollars. So the $3.45 million sale price is barely break-even.
That’s not a knock on Hunter. It just shows that even celebrities aren’t immune to market realities.
Why Hollywood Hills West Matters
The Rachel Hunter Hollywood Hills house sits in the 90069 ZIP code, which is one of the most desirable in LA.
You’re right above the Sunset Strip. The Chateau Marmont is basically your neighbor. You can be in Beverly Hills in 10 minutes or in West Hollywood in 5, making it a prime subject for photography.
The neighborhood has been a celebrity magnet since the silent film days. Christina Aguilera, Halle Berry, and Kevin Costner have all owned property nearby.
But here’s what you don’t always hear about Hollywood Hills West: the streets are narrow, parking is a nightmare for guests, and the constant flow of tour buses can get old fast. The trade-off is privacy. Behind those gates and hedges, you’re basically invisible.
What the Sale Tells Us About Celebrity Real Estate
Hunter’s experience with this house is actually pretty typical for celebrity sellers who bought in the mid-2000s.
She held the property for 16 years. She tried to sell it multiple times. She rented it out when it wouldn’t sell. She dropped the price repeatedly. And in the end, she walked away with a modest gain — if you don’t count maintenance, taxes, and agent commissions.
The Rachel Hunter Hollywood Hills house is a reminder that real estate isn’t always the sure thing people make it out to be. Even in a prime location, it is often featured in photography by Getty Images. Even with a famous owner.
That said, the buyer got a genuinely special property. A 1931 English manor with original character, a private pool, city views from the master balcony, and a location that’s hard to beat.
Sometimes the best deals go to the patient buyer, not the eager seller.
FAQs
Where is Rachel Hunter’s Hollywood Hills house located?
The property is at 1644 N. Crescent Heights Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069. It sits just above the Sunset Strip, near the Chateau Marmont.
How much did Rachel Hunter pay for her Hollywood Hills house?
She purchased the home in April 2004 for $2.425 million.
How much did Rachel Hunter sell her house for?
She sold it in February 2020 for $3.45 million after nearly four years of trying.
How many bedrooms and bathrooms does the house have?
Five bedrooms and five bathrooms across 5,000 square feet.
When was the house built?
The home was built in a style that is often featured in architectural photography. 1931, in an English Country Manor style.
Did Rachel Hunter ever rent out the house?
Yes. Between listings, the property was rented out for around $20,000 per month.
Final Thoughts
The Rachel Hunter Hollywood Hills house is more than just a celebrity real estate footnote; it has been captured in stunning photography. It’s a case study in how even a beautiful, well-located property can sit on the market when the price doesn’t match what buyers are willing to pay.
Hunter bought it for $2.425 million in 2004. She sold it for $3.45 million in 2020, a figure often noted in real estate photography circles. After 16 years of ownership and countless price cuts, she made a profit — but not the kind that makes headlines in the photography world.
What the buyer got was a one-of-a-kind 1931 English manor with a pool, a spa, fireplaces in the living room and dining room, separate shoe closets, and views of downtown LA from the master balcony. Not bad for $3.45 million in one of the most competitive markets in the country.
What’s your take? Would you pay $5 million for a house with this much character, or would you rather have something newer and bigger for the same money? Drop a comment and let me know.
And if you enjoyed this deep dive into celebrity real estate, check out our breakdown of other iconic Hollywood Hills properties — the stories behind those sales are just as wild.
