Q&A: The home’s price prospects
Is that a good price for the mansion? Maybe. The house was on the market for US$38 million (Dh139.5m) in 2008. But Hubert Guez paid only $18.5m for the property in 2004. As recently as a year ago it was listed at $28.5m
Where is Holmby Hills? Holmby Hills is one of the most exclusive and expensive neighbourhoods in Los Angeles. Beverly Hills, which is a few blocks away, gets all the publicity, but many of the region's grandest estates are in Holmby Hills.
Will the fact that Michael Jackson died in Mr Guez's house help or hurt the value? The house's notoriety may attract a few parties. But in this price range it will probably hurt the value. Wealthy buyers tend to like privacy. And anybody who takes this house will have to put up with the celebrity home tours that frequent the area.
Celebrity ghouls take note: the house where Michael Jackson died is on the market.
The 1,579-square-metre French-style residence, including seven bedrooms, 13 bathrooms and 12 working fireplaces, on half a hectare in Holmby Hills, is priced at US$23.5 million (Dh86.2m).
The King of Pop was only a renter. He was paying $100,000 a month to live in the house, which is owned by Hubert Guez, the chief executive of the fashion company Ed Hardy, according to media reports.
But the house, where Jackson and his three children lived for six months until his death on June 25, 2009, certainly seems to have been an appropriate abode for him - he was never known for simple tastes.
The property has the subtle aura of Versailles. Palatial rooms are decorated with carved ceilings, ornate trims and lavish chandeliers. A cinema room is entirely lined in burgundy velvet.
The property designed by the architect Richard Landry is "a major achievement in design and proportion, incorporating classic design and impeccable craftsmanship and offering the perfect integration of charm and elegance in a world-class setting", the listing says.
But most prospective buyers are unlikely to care about such details. The mansion will always be known as "the house where Michael Jackson died".
The highlight for many prospective buyers will be the bedroom in which the singer died. It was called a "medication room" during the trial of his doctor, Conrad Murray, who was convicted last week of involuntary manslaughter.
An auction of items from the house is planned for December 17. The sale is being directed by Julien's Auctions, which has sold items from the estates of Johnny Cash and Tony Curtis. The list detailed on the company's website includes a variety of French traditional furniture, oriental rugs, Asian ceramics and paintings by a variety of artists.
A small blackboard on which someone - presumably one of Jackson's children - wrote "I (heart) Daddy. Smile, it's for free", is expected to fetch about $400, according to the Associated Press.
The auction was supposed to include the bed on which Jackson's body was found. But the "elaborately carved and gilded Louis XV headboard", estimated at $4,000 was pulled from the auction at the request of the Jackson family.
Top 5: Michael Jackson singles
1 Say, Say, Say, 1983
2 Billie Jean, 1983
3 I'll Be There, 1970
4 Beat It, 1983
5 Rock With You, 1980
Source: Billboard
The Quote: Just because it's in print doesn't mean it's the gospel. - Michael Jackson
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