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Michelle Obama Stays Over at the SoCal ‘Shark House’—Will It Be Her Hollywood Home?


Michelle Obama Stays Over at the SoCal ‘Shark House’—Will It Be Her Hollywood Home?

Gary Miller/Getty Images; realtor.com

Could Barack and Michelle Obama be going full-on Hollywood? First, the former first couple scored a production deal with Netflix, and now Michelle has rested her head at a prominent Hollywood Hills home while in SoCal.

At least that’s what TMZ reported: “Real estate sources tell TMZ the former first lady rented the home, which is up for sale for $23 million, this past Monday and Tuesday.”

Word has it that she was in town to attend a charity event.

If the home looks familiar, it’s because we’ve actually taken you inside. It’s known as the “shark house,” so named because of its 2.5 foot-deep shark tank with “floating” steps placed above the water. Guests can admire the aquatic life swimming under their feet, while enjoying the artistically designed living wall behind them.

Michelle Obama recently rented this home for a couple of nights.

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Shark tank room with living wall

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However, the well-protected Obamas needn’t worry about Jaws leaping up and chomping off a toe. When we visited the home, the pool was populated with seven stingrays, one horned-back stingray, three hound sharks, one remora shark, one horn shark, one cat shark, one starfish, and three yellow tangs. No great whites or hammerheads to speak of.

Sharks of an entirely different variety can observe activity in the one-of-a-kind tank from the adjacent walk-in humidor featuring floor-to-ceiling windows.

When we were there last summer, the brand-new, 12,800-square-foot home perched atop the famous Bird Streets was listed for $35 million. There have been no substantial bites from buyers, although TMZ reported it’s hosted a few short-term rentals. The price was reduced to $22.9 million over the past year, but the per night charge remains undisclosed.

Family room

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And not just anyone is in a position to rent it. It likely takes someone like the wife of a former U.S. president for the owner to allow the place to be packed with security personnel, and to have all of the security cameras turned off, according to TMZ.

So what kind of designer digs did Michelle and her entourage enjoy?

In addition to the shark room, there are two pools, seven bedrooms, and 11 bathrooms. There’s a tequila and vodka freezer inspired by the Vodbox in Nic’s Martini Bar in Beverly Hills. Plus, you’ll find a fully stocked health center to accommodate fitness-oriented activities.

Health center

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The master suite is fit for powerful politicians, with its own office and a full kitchen with luxury appliances, including a wine refrigerator.

It also features a 500-square-foot deck overlooking the pool, his-and-her closets, and a lavish bathroom with an open double shower.

Master bedroom

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Master bath

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Other luxury perks include a 500-bottle, walk-in wine room, a theater that seats 30, a game room with a pool table, and a 25-person spa.

Dining area and wine room

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Game room

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Theater

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Should anyone fancy a snack, there’s a well-appointed kitchen, including unusual appliances and cooking/baking stations hidden behind elegant custom cabinetry.

Kitchen

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But even more breathtaking than all of the luxe features is the mansion’s indoor-outdoor flow, taking full advantage of the views from the city to the ocean. Floor-to-ceiling walls of glass throughout the home retract at the touch of a button.

Living room

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Whether Michelle and her entourage were just enjoying a relaxing few days in the modern-day palace or test-driving it for future reference, it would make sense for the A-list couple to have a pied-à-terre in SoCal.

With Malia off at Harvard and Sasha having recently graduated from Washington, DC’s Sidwell Friends School, there’s nothing tying the couple to the nation’s capital.

But they do have good reason to perch in L.A. Last year, they signed a multiyear agreement with Netflix that involves producing scripted series, unscripted series, docuseries, documentaries, and features. If the former first couple are going to go Hollywood, they might live in style while they’re there.

Tomer Fridman of Compass and Kurt Rappaport of Westside Estate Agency represent the listing.

Street view, high in the Hollywood Hills

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