Rihanna’s primary residence has been a luxury condo at The Century, one of Los Angeles’ most expensive and prestigious residential skyscrapers, since 2014. But, with a new baby and another on the way, as well as staff and her ever-present entourage, she’s feeling a little crowded in her three-bedroom, 3,500-square-foot home.
So the Barbadian superstar has remedied the situation as only the rich and famous can: she spent $21 million on one of The Century’s largest condos, a penthouse spanning the entire 40th floor. The spread is fit for an A-lister, with over 9,000 square feet of living space, numerous bespoke touches, and breathtaking views.
Nick Molnar, the billionaire co-founder of tech company Afterpay, was the seller, and he had originally asked $28 million for the penthouse. However, Rihanna negotiated a steep discount, and it’s likely she used L.A.’s mansion tax as leverage — the deal closed on March 31st, just one day before the new tax went into effect. Molnar would have owed an additional $1.1 million in taxes if the transaction had closed in April.
In any case, the discounted $21 million sale price represents a $600,000 loss for Molnar, who purchased the condo from Matthew Perry less than two years ago.
During his four-year ownership, the “Friends” actor extensively customized the space with the assistance of architect Scott Joyce and interior designer LM Pagano, and Molnar appears to have made no changes to Perry’s designs.
A private elevator landing leads into the condo’s entrance gallery, and guests will be impressed by the curvaceous wall of floor-to-ceiling windows with skyline views in the living room. The dining room has dark brown hardwood floors that flow into an all-white kitchen with marble countertops, dual islands, and premium appliances.
A soundproof movie theater with velour couches is also on the premises, as is a master suite with a curved bedroom, dual bespoke closets, dual bathrooms, and its own private lounge. The condo’s most impressive features, however, are likely its four separate outdoor terraces, which face four different directions — north, south, east, and west — and offer panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, Downtown Los Angeles skyscrapers, the San Gabriel mountains, and even snowcapped Mount Baldy.
Denzel Washington and reality TV stars Terry and Heather Dubrow are also residents at The Century. Candy Spelling’s famed two-floor penthouse, which spans the 41st and 42nd floors of the building, is just above Rihanna’s.
The Century, designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects and completed in 2010, has been Century City’s premier residential skyscraper since its completion. Rihanna’s penthouse comes with hefty monthly HOA dues of $8,814 — in exchange, she receives a slew of the building’s best amenities, including four deeded parking spots in its underground garage, a 24/7 concierge and security guards, access to an outdoor swimming pool and lush gardens, onsite storage facilities, an in-house restaurant, conference rooms, and much more.
Rihanna also owns two side-by-side mansions in the Beverly Hills mountains, though both are reportedly leased to tenants. With a $1.4 billion net worth, the “We Found Love” hitmaker is now the world’s richest female musician, according to Forbes.