Courteney Cox’s Real Estate Mastery: Inside the Friends Star’s Architecturally Rich Portfolio

Photo byJim McCrary/Redferns

Courteney Cox’s affinity for design goes beyond her acting career. Before she became a household name as Monica Geller on Friends, Cox pursued architecture at Mount Vernon College in Washington, D.C. Although her path led her to Hollywood, her passion for architecture remained, manifesting in a stunning collection of homes that reflect her eye for design, functionality, and personal style. Over the years, her real estate portfolio has evolved into a testament to her deep understanding of aesthetics and comfort.

A Haunted History in Laurel Canyon
In 1988, Cox bought her first Los Angeles home in the iconic Laurel Canyon neighborhood for $795,000. The 3,832-square-foot, French Normandy-style home, built in 1926, had previously belonged to entertainment legends like burlesque icon Gypsy Rose Lee and singer-songwriter Carole King. However, its storied past included eerie tales, as King warned Cox about a resident ghost lingering in the home following a tumultuous divorce. Despite her skepticism, Cox joined King in a séance to clear the spirit, but an unsettling encounter with a delivery man claiming to see a figure behind her added to the home’s haunted reputation. She eventually sold the property in 1991 for $1.3 million.

Holmby Hills Beachfront Dream
Cox and her then-husband, David Arquette, made a major real estate move in the early 2000s, purchasing a John Lautner-designed beach house in Holmby Hills for $10.2 million. The striking four-bedroom, five-bathroom residence, known as the Segel House, boasted skylights, ocean views, and Lautner’s signature curved roofline. Spanning 5,500 square feet with 80 feet of Carbon Beach frontage, it was an architectural gem. However, the lack of privacy—being level with a public beach—made it difficult for Cox to fully enjoy. “I couldn’t take a walk without having my picture taken,” she said. The property sold in 2007 for nearly $33.5 million, netting the Friends star a significant profit.

A Beverly Hills Haven
In June 2004, Cox and Arquette welcomed their daughter, Coco, and purchased a mid-century modern home in Beverly Hills for $5.45 million. Designed by architect A. Quincy Jones, the single-story, 5,500-square-foot estate was situated in Trousdale Estates, an upscale enclave in the Santa Monica Mountains. The home was meticulously restored by architect Cory Buckner in 2006 and featured a six-car garage and a swimming pool. Following their divorce, Cox and Arquette listed the home for $19.5 million in 2013, with reports suggesting that it sold for around $18 million in 2014, possibly to record producer Dr. Luke.

A Malibu Estate for Life
Perhaps the crown jewel of Cox’s real estate portfolio is her Malibu beachfront estate, which she purchased in 2007 and has since called home. Nestled on two acres of prime California coastline, the property includes guest cottages, a tennis house, a saltwater swimming pool, and a screening room. Cox worked closely with architect Michael Kovac and interior designer Trip Haenisch to create a warm, yet modern aesthetic for the main house. “I wanted it to look like a modern barn,” Cox explained, emphasizing her desire for clean lines and comfort. With floor-to-ceiling windows and an expansive deck, Cox enjoys her morning coffee overlooking the Pacific Ocean from a lava-rock firepit—a daily routine that defines her connection to the home. “This is a house I’ll never move from,” she said, highlighting its special place in her heart.

Sky-High Sierra Towers Retreat
In addition to her Malibu sanctuary, Cox ventured into high-rise living with two units in West Hollywood’s celebrity-filled Sierra Towers. She purchased her first 25th-floor unit in 2011 for $2.1 million, a 1,725-square-foot space offering sweeping views of Los Angeles. Cox later added a second adjacent unit in 2014 for $2.5 million, combining the two spaces into a sprawling retreat. While details about the interiors remain scarce, both units were located in the 31-story building designed by mid-century architect Jack A. Charney. Cox sold the units in off-market deals in 2020, with both purchases made by her next-door neighbor, Angelique Soave, who now owns half of the floor.

From haunted homes to architectural masterpieces, Courteney Cox has cultivated a real estate portfolio that merges functionality with her flair for design. Each residence, past and present, reflects a deep connection to architecture and a commitment to creating spaces that inspire comfort, order, and personal style—hallmarks of both her on-screen and off-screen life.