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Murphy, First Wife Pick Up $6.1 Million For Former Getaway

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By RUTH RYON, Los Angeles Times

Published: February 9, 2008

LOS ANGELES - Let's face it: Eddie Murphy has his hands full. First he exchanged vows with producer Tracey Edmonds on New Year's Day on a private island off Bora Bora. Then the pair announced their split two weeks later, forgoing the chance to make their ceremonial union legal in the United States.

Meanwhile, his first wife, model Nicole Mitchell Murphy, is moving on as well. She and Murphy have sold their Granite Bay compound near Sacramento, Calif., for $6.1 million.

The 10-bedroom, multilevel home in a gated community has an 11,000-square-foot main house and a detached, 5,200-square-foot guesthouse. There are two guest suites.

The former couple considered it their vacation home.

The residence sits on 2 1/2 -plus acres of lush grounds and has views of Folsom Lake.

It features a home theater with a video arcade, a tennis court, a gym, an infinity pool, a spa and an outdoor kitchen with a barbecue. The compound was built in 1996 and redone by the couple after they bought it in 1998.

Nicole Mitchell Murphy, 40, also has a home in Calabasas, north of Los Angeles, which is on the market at slightly less than $10 million. That home has six bedrooms in 9,200 square feet.

They were married for 12 years and have five children. The divorce was final in 2006.

Eddie Murphy, 46, starred in such blockbusters as the "Doctor Dolittle" and "Nutty Professor" movies. He was also the voice of Donkey in the "Shrek" movies and co-starred in "Dreamgirls" (2006).

A Bargain At $85 Million

Imagine listing a property at $85 million and not being able to toot its horn as the most expensive residential listing on Los Angeles' Westside.

Winner of the highest price tag award goes to the 1920s-era Beverly Hills estate that was once owned by newspaper czar William Randolph Hearst and his girlfriend, actress Marion Davies. It is on the market at $165 million.

But for a mere $85 million, there is the home once owned by Henry Singleton, co-founder of Teledyne Inc.

It was the last major work of architect Wallace Neff, according to "Wallace Neff: Architect of California's Golden Age," compiled and edited by the architect's son, Wallace Neff Jr. The architect designed an estimated 500 to 600 homes in his lifetime.

The Southern Colonial-style home in the Holmby Hills section was built in 1970. This is the first time it has been offered for purchase.

"I hope you won't sell this house," the architect's son remembers telling Caroline Singleton, widow of Henry.

"Oh, no," Neff Jr. recalled her saying, "but it's awfully big for one lady."

Her death within the past year prompted her family to put the estate on the market.

The home is on more than 7 acres of gated grounds and has 10 bedrooms and 11 1/2 bathrooms in 15,520 square feet, according to public records. The property has a motor court to accommodate at least 20 cars, plus a tennis court and pool.

The grand entryway has high ceilings and oversized doors, and there is a 7,000-square-foot basement.

An Athlete's Investment

Basketball player Baron Davis just closed the door on two West Hollywood condominiums.

Davis, 28, who plays for the Golden State Warriors, bought the adjacent condos in the 92-unit Empire West tower, then marketed them as a package and sold them for nearly $2.7 million.

Davis purchased the condos separately in 2005 and 2006 for $1.2 million and $1.15 million, respectively.

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