If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a property that’s bold, beautiful and seems like it’s right out of a fairytale, then now’s your chance. That’s because music industry star Rufus Wainwright is selling his idyllic Hollywood Hills home.
The singer-songwriter “is giving his whimsical Los Angeles hideaway an encore, relisting the colorful cottage in the storied Laurel Canyon neighborhood at $2.3 million,” according to Robb Report.
“The Grammy-nominated crooner and his husband, theater director Jörn Weisbrodt, purchased the home in 2016 for $1.45 million, according to property records, and first listed it in 2024 for $2.2 million,” per Robb Report. “Multiple offers—including cash bids above the asking price—came in quickly, but the singer wasn’t ready to part with the hillside retreat and ultimately pulled the deal.”
Indeed, the New York Post reported that Douglas Elliman’s Alexandre Anu, who shares the listing with fellow Hilton & Hyland broker Dag Eliasion, explained, “There was a really strong response, with multiple cash offers over the ask. But Rufus decided not to sell. He’s ready now, and it should do really well.”
The Post also noted that “[b]efore Wainwright, the home was owned by the late Scott Weiland, frontman for the Stone Temple Pilots.”
The Home Mixes ‘Bohemian Spirit’ & ‘Old Hollywood Architecture’
“Behind gates on a steep slope, the 1926 storybook cottage overlooks a leafy enclave in the Hollywood Hills and spans about 2,100 square feet,” per Robb Report. “The three-bedroom, four-bath home leans fully into the canyon’s bohemian spirit, mixing Old Hollywood architecture with the kind of playful personality that has long drawn musicians and artists to the neighborhood.”
Robb Report also notes that “[o]riginal architectural details remain front and center, including dramatic cathedral-style wood ceilings, stained-glass windows, and a vintage tiled fireplace embellished with tiles crafted by famed Arts and Crafts artisan Ernest Batchelder.”
Beyond that, Robb Report points out that “[o]ne of the home’s quirkiest—and most charming—spaces is the octagonal library lined with floor-to-ceiling shelves, while the kitchen connects to a formal dining room primed for intimate dinner parties. Elsewhere, the colorful interiors offer multiple balconies, and sunlight pours in from every angle, adding to the home’s creative energy.”
The Exterior & Grounds Make It Feel Like a ‘Fairytale Cottage’
When it comes to Wainwright’s home, “the property is packed with character inside and out,” according to Realtor.com. “The exterior conjures up images of a fairytale cottage hidden away among the trees…”
“The grounds feel almost straight out of a fairytale, with lush greenery framing alfresco dining areas and a stone koi pond,” Robb Report notes. “A tiny ‘lovers’ bridge’ adds to the home’s romantic, slightly theatrical atmosphere.”
“It is just flooded with original charm and character,” Anu said, per Realtor.com. “Rufus has lived there since 2016 and wanted to keep its original character intact. He has updated it over the years to be a functioning home while also having lots of creative and inspirational energy.”
“It’s a gated property that is so very private, yet is just minutes from Sunset Boulevard,” Anu also explained. “You feel like you have escaped from L.A. It’s so peaceful and serene.”
Maybe I’m just not with it. It just doesn’t come across as colorful to me. It comes off as gauche. Not like my own taste isn’t eclectic, but I’m not decorating to sell a home. Perhaps dialing down a bit might help? Or not. The right audience might absolutely adore it. The faux bear rug and the faux fur blanket on the bed and all the mishmash of bright colors would have me wearing sunglasses and worrying about PETA beating down my door. The exterior is nice.