A Look Inside The Sprawling Mansion Estee Lauder Used To Own

The former summer residence of beauty mogul Estee Lauder has recently been listed by brokerage Knight Frank for $9.2 million. It's easy to understand why she considered her Cannes estate, purchased new, to be her favorite vacation home, with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea from every level of its three stories. Per the New York Post, the villa is located in the posh neighborhood of Cannes Californie and sits easily within walking distance of beaches and the exclusive restaurants and designer boutiques of promenade La Croisette. A traditionally French architectural scheme features Provence blue shutters, a terracotta roof, and a grand staircase with ornamental ironwork. 

Extensive outdoor areas on just under a third of an acre take advantage of the climate and panoramic vistas, and offer a wonderful flow from interior rooms to patios and a garden terrace. Inside, the home's 4,300 square feet have been thoughtfully renovated and updated by its current owner to provide modern amenities, while many characteristics original to the 1920s built estate remain preserved. A studio apartment and five bedrooms provide privacy and luxury for residents or guests, while an outdoor kitchen, heated pool, and three reception rooms make entertaining a breeze. Let's take a look at this rare and exclusive property.

The property features multiple outdoor areas

A summer paradise, the property emphasizes indoor to outdoor living with patios and balconies spread across multiple levels. The sea is not the only natural wonder to be taken in from the estate; the Esterel Mountains and Lerins Islands are clearly visible, and according to New York Post, the sunset over the mountains is an enchanting sight. 

Just off the kitchen, sheltered by a windbreak, a large table and outdoor grill rest under the shade of a pergola, providing alfresco dining with an amazing view of the water. The kitchen seating area is steps away, ideal for an overflow of dining guests. Several landscaped and espaliered patios and an upper balcony offer space for outdoor entertaining or idle relaxation, with a large lounging area close to the heated, saline swimming pool. A flat garden terrace is home to the pool and a lush, grassy lawn. The agent on the listing calls the grounds low-maintenance for their minimum of mature trees and acreage.

There are sea views from every level

The former summer residence of Estee Lauder features modern and upscale finishes, including oak and marble flooring, with marble throughout the eat-in kitchen and each of the bathrooms; yet it retains many of its original period details. The grand entry, offset with a sweeping staircase, a cloakroom, and three reception rooms speak to the elegance of the estate and its previous resident. The large and plentiful windows and glassed doorways not only provide easy flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, but also afford gorgeous vistas and light-filled interiors. The dining room and kitchen each extend to the outside via terraces; the home is truly an entertainer's dream.

Updated amenities have not been neglected — The seaside villa offers high-speed internet and a home-office (Can you imagine working remotely from here?), a gourmet kitchen with a generous island and a chef's range, modernized plumbing throughout, and outside, a saline pool and fully equipped summer kitchen. A separate guest studio on the property has a kitchenette and ensuite bathroom of its own. Mansion Global states that the home is being marketed as an investment opportunity as well, as rentals in the area are highly desirable.

The private rooms have been thoroughly modernized

Per Medium, Estee Lauder's former main house has five bedrooms, three of them with ensuite bathrooms featuring marble flooring and modern fixtures throughout. As shown above, high-end and contemporary finishes like white oak, concrete, and marble are common in the private rooms, as well as in the main areas of the home. Headboard sconces and built-in wardrobes are just a few of the thoughtful details utilized to create hotel-like luxury, but above all, convenience and comfort. The principle suite is appointed with a walk-in closet and his and hers bathrooms. Sea air and views are accessible from each bedroom in the quiet holiday home — there is no better sleeping environment.

A TV lounge in Cannes may not be the most-used room, but it's there for kicking back-in nonetheless — maybe to catch a film featuring one of the celebrities you've just seen on the promenade.