k.d. lang keeps it real with a coupla condos

BUYER: k.d. lang
LOCATION: Portland, OR
PRICE: $639,000
SIZE: 2,017 square feet 1-2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms

YOUR MAMAS NOTES: unbeknownst to this celebrity real estate gossip until yesterday, when we received a covert communique from a gal we'll call anita snitch, by the time crooner k.d. lang sold her long-time residence in los angeles' laurel canyon in may 2012 for $1,900,000 to maroon 5 keyboardist jesse carmichael she'd very quietly already scooped up her next home in the unexpected and—generally speaking—uncelebrified city of portland, or.

miz lang, who busted up with her long time gal pal last year and has been on tour for most of 2012, opted not for a house in portland but rather a couple of loft-style condominiums in a converted warehouse in the hip and trendy downtown neighborhood known locally as the pearl.

even though property records show the units were purchased from the same seller in two, simultaneous transactions in late february 2012, it appears to your mama the two condos are fully combined into a single living space. The larger unit, as per the multnomah county tax man, measures 1,188 square feet and the smaller just 829 square feet for a total of 2,017 square feet. listing information we managed to squirrel out of the internets shows the open-concept loft has one bedroom and 1.5 bathrooms plus an interior den/bedroom with a built-in murphy bed for overnighting guests.

property records show miz lang picked up both units for $639,000, a real ding-dang bargain compared to the cost of a comparable, centrally located 2,000+ square foot loft in a major metropolitan area like los angeles, san fran or the big apple.

yellow birch floors run throughout the spacious, 31-foot long living/dining area that has high, exposed concrete ceilings, a trio of gigantic casement windows and a half-height t.v./art wall that separates the living room from the bedroom area and is cleverly designed on a swivel so the boob toob can be seen from either the living room or the bedroom.

the kitchen, open to but separated from the living room by a long and wide peninsula snack bar, has slab granite counter tops that waterfall over the end of the peninsula, a complete suite of high-grade stainless steel appliances and flat-fronted birch—or maybe maple—cabinetry, some which have metal-framed frosted glass doors.

as far as your mama can tell there's no door that separates the custom-fitted closet/dressing area from the master bathroom that's tucked behind a horizontal grid of frosts glass panels that doesn't quite extend to the ceiling. Although its barely private, the bathroom with well equipped with limestone flooring, slab granite counter tops, a super-sized soaking but and a separate over-sized stall shower tucked behind frosted glass panels.

listing information shows the elevator accessible combo condo crib has private laundry facilities that appear to be located in the half bathroom deeded parking for two cars, city and mountain views, and access to the fully decked and landscaped roof terrace. monthly hoas—those are home owner's association fees—run $661 and cover, heating expenses, insurance, building management, common area maintenance, water and cable t.v. costs.

as far as we know, miz lang does not currently own any other real estate but, then again, what do we really know anyways?





listing photos: John L. Scott Real Estate via Estately