Jim Carrey Lists L.A. Home of Nearly 30 Years for $28.9 Million

Actor Jim Carrey is putting his Los Angeles home of nearly 30 years on the market for $28.9 million.

Mr. Carrey, who was born in Canada, bought the ranch-style Brentwood home in 1994, around the time of the release of his first major movie hit, “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.” It wasn’t clear how much he paid.

In a statement, Mr. Carrey said the property had been “a place of enchantment and inspiration” to him over “30 very creative and prosperous years.”

“Every night the owls sang me lullabies and every morning I sipped my cup of joe with the hawks and hummingbirds, under a giant grandfather pine,” he said.

The roughly 12,700-square-foot estate includes a five-bedroom main house with a traditional brick facade and contemporary interiors, according to listing agent Janelle Friedman of Sotheby’s International Realty. Spanning about 2 acres, the property has a gym, a tennis court, a waterfall pool and spa, and a pool house with a sauna and steam room. There is also a dedicated outdoor yoga and meditation platform, she said.

The home is infused with elements of Mr. Carrey’s personality. A custom Art Deco-style home theatre, complete with mohair-covered sofas, burl wood columns and a snack area, features costumes from Mr. Carrey’s films in glass cases on the walls. They include a set of blue overalls from “The Cable Guy” and the Santa Claus costume from “The Grinch.” In an adjacent bar area, his Riddler costume from “Batman Forever” is on display, as well as some of his trophies from the MTV Movie & TV Awards.

The home’s neutral, understated aesthetic is punctuated by dramatic pops of colour, some of which are provided by Mr. Carrey’s own artwork: the actor is also a prolific painter who has gained recognition for his bold, graphic and colour-saturated pieces. On the lawn is “Ayla,” a sculpture by Mr. Carrey that depicts a nude woman peering through a picture frame. The art and mementos aren’t for sale with the house.

In the main house, the primary living space has pitched, beamed ceilings with skylights, while the living, dining and family rooms all have their own fireplaces. French doors throughout the home open to a large courtyard patio. The primary bedroom suite has its own sitting area, fireplace, and a covered balcony overlooking the property.

In a statement, Mr. Carrey said he is selling the property because he no longer spends as much time there. “I want someone else to enjoy it like I have,” he said, referencing a famous song by David Bowie: “Ch-ch-ch-changes!”

Mr. Carrey is best known for films like “The Mask,” “Dumb and Dumber” and “Liar Liar.” More recently, he has starred in the “Sonic the Hedgehog” film franchise.

There’s nothing more appealing than being able to cool off in your own pool on a hot summer’s day. For many Australians, the idea of a backyard pool is enticing but with so many styles to choose from, the decision is not always straightforward. Considering your budget, the needs of your household, along with the size of your outdoor space is key to achieving the best outcome for delicious days poolside. We take a deep dive into the best in pools to get you into the swim.

CLASSIC RECTANGLE

Nothing beats this classic pool design. With the ability to cross styles of architecture from Hamptons to mid century modern and minimalist design, the rectangular pool is a ‘one size fits all’ style that adapts to most needs, from swimming laps to splashing about with the kids. Go as big as you can manage on acreage or shoehorn it onto a suburban block for a clean, classic look that’s hard to top.

INFINITY POOL

Infinity Edge Swimming Pool | Blue Haven Pools — Blue Haven Pools

A popular choice where there are views of the water or bushland to enjoy, an infinity pool gives the illusion of having no edge. Also known as rimless, overflow or zero edge pools, the water flows over the edge of the pool into a catchment basin that sits below the waterline, out of sight. A great choice for elevated positions where the pool can create a visual bridge between the house and the view, an infinity pool is particularly expensive to install and run thanks to the continuous need to pump water from the catch basin.

LAGOON OR FREE FORM

Designed to mimic the natural environment, lagoon or freeform pools have fallen out of favour since their heyday in the 1980s. Despite the name, they are often available in standard sizes in fibreglass or concrete and are characterised by their curved, asymmetrical shapes. Slides and waterfalls are popular accessories to this style of pool while landscaping is typically tropical, in keeping with the oasis-like environment.

LAP POOLS

Lap Swimming Pools Builder in NSW | Blue Have Pools — Blue Haven

While the name might suggest that this style of pool is aimed at hard core swimmers, lap pools are a great choice where the obvious location for the pool is long and narrow. If doing laps or water therapy is the main purpose for installing the pool, consider installing swim jets which create non-stop resistance to swim against. A lap pool should be at least eight to 10 metres long to be useful.

PLUNGE POOLS

4 Creative Plunge Pool Designs — Pool & Spa

Nothing beats being able to cool off in your own backyard over summer and what plunge pools lack in space, they can make up for in amenity. While swimming is probably out of the question, plunge pools are generally easier and cheaper to maintain than their larger counterparts, making them an attractive option for heating and cooling. They also have the obvious advantage of being able to fit into most backyards.

SPOOLS (SPA POOLS)

What is a Spool? - Precision Pool and Spa — Precision Pool and Spa

Another great option where space is an issue, spa pools, also known as spools, offer the best of both worlds, with a spa area integrated into all or part of the pool. Known in some places as a cocktail pool, they can be a great solution for those who like to entertain or simply passively enjoy the water. Costs are generally a little less than a conventional pool and more than a dedicated spa.

PERIMETER OVERFLOW POOLS

For those who love the integrated look, perimeter overflow pools are a stylish choice. Designed in line with the edge of the deck, the water gives the impression of overflowing at all edges for a sleek, minimalist look. Water is captured and recycled in channels around the perimeter. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, this style of pool can be pricey to install and run. For level sites though, it’s the ultimate in swimming luxury.

NATURAL POOLS

Natural swimming pool business is booming | The Fifth Estate — Natural Swimming Pools – Hampton Rock Pool

While conventional pools are kept clean through the use of chemicals such as chlorine, natural pools rely on moving water (via a pump) and biological filters such as plants to maintain good water quality. It’s a style gaining ground in Australia, where water quality is naturally quite high, making the move to natural pools easier, and more homeowners become interested in chemical-free options.

ABOVE GROUND POOLS

Green above ground pool in lush setting — Jeerayut Rianwed / Getty Images

The great advantage of this style of pool is that excavation is often minimal, which means less disruption – and less cost. Strictly speaking, there’s any number of materials available for construction, including fibreglass and concrete, but the above ground pool is probably most often associated with the old-school modular pool with liner from the likes of Clark Rubber.

GLASS WALLED POOLS

If you’re looking to add a little drama to your home, a glass walled pool could fit the bill. Essentially an underwater ‘window’ in recent years, architects have specified glass walled pools to be viewed from inside the house, with the benefit of drawing natural light through the water into internal spaces. An engineer will specify the exact thickness required to take the weight of the water but expect it to be at least 12mm thick.

What is the best type of swimming pool to build?

The type of pool you choose will depend on your budget and the size and style of your yard. Fibreglass pools come in a range of shapes and sizes and are faster and easier to install than concrete, mainly because they are made on the factory floor and delivered to site. Concrete pools take longer to build but they are customisable and can be finished in high end materials. Often, the decision can get down to how long you intend to stay in your property in terms of how much you want to invest.

What is the most expensive part of a pool?

If you’re talking about construction, excavation is often the big cost that takes owners by surprise. Make sure you understand excavation and tipping costs before signing a contract. Filtration, decking, tiling, fencing and landscaping can all add significant cost to the construction and installation of a pool. In terms of running costs, solar energy can be a good way to offset expenses.

What is a good size for a home swimming pool?

Again, this will depend on the size of your outdoor space, your lifestyle and the people who will use your pool. A family of four will have different needs to a couple who prefer to enjoy a dip at the end of a hot day. Choose a size that allows everyone to move around freely while keeping in mind that the larger the pool, the greater the time and money required to maintain it. Pool sizes in Australia have shrunk in recent years but popular sizes for family pools range from 7m by 3m up to 9m by 4m. Speak to your pool builder about the best – and safest – depth for your needs.