Lily Collins’ Transatlantic Real Estate: From LA Glamour to Danish Serenity

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Lily Collins, known for lighting up the screen as the star of Emily in Paris, may live the Parisian dream on TV, but her real-life escape is far from the French capital. When she’s not basking in the Hollywood spotlight, Collins finds tranquility in the scenic charm of Denmark. The actress, who relocated from Surrey, England, to Los Angeles at age six, now juggles life between the West Coast and Copenhagen, Denmark, alongside her husband, filmmaker Charlie McDowell. Despite the glamour of her Hollywood career, Collins has cultivated homes that reflect her personal tastes, heritage, and desire for privacy and peace.

The Roots: West Hollywood Condo

Collins' connection to the West Coast runs deep, with her first notable property being a condo in West Hollywood’s iconic Sierra Towers. The one-bedroom, two-bathroom unit had been part of her family since the early 1990s. Collins inherited the 1,672-square-foot space, and after a decade of ownership, she chose to rent it out for approximately $13,000 a month.

The high-rise unit was a private haven in the heart of Los Angeles, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of Sunset Boulevard. A private balcony, granite countertops, and a minimalist galley-style kitchen completed the sleek, modern aesthetic. However, Collins parted ways with the space in 2018, selling it for just under $3 million.

A Touch of Regency: Beverly Hills Mansion

In 2020, as Collins’ relationship with McDowell blossomed into marriage, she sold her Beverly Hills mansion for $13.5 million. The Hollywood Regency-style estate, nestled north of Sunset Boulevard, was built in 1954 by acclaimed architect John Elgin Woolf. Spanning 5,066 square feet, the single-level home featured high ceilings, skylights, and amenities such as a library, a formal dining room, and fireplaces.

Collins’ quarantine retreat during the COVID-19 pandemic, the home offered ample privacy with iron gates, a sunken tennis court, and a pool surrounded by lush greenery. Its four bedrooms and five bathrooms gave the couple plenty of space before they embarked on a new chapter in Pasadena.

Midcentury Marvel: Pasadena’s Case Study Home

One of Collins’ most iconic purchases came in 2021 when she bought a midcentury home in Pasadena from Saturday Night Live alum Kristen Wiig for $3.9 million. This property, built in 1947 by father-son architects Kemper Nomland and Kemper Nomland Jr., was part of the celebrated Case Study House program. The program, launched in 1945, aimed to produce affordable model homes to accommodate post-WWII housing demands.

Surrounded by sycamore trees and designed with an eye toward modernism, the 3,425-square-foot home boasts four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with natural light. Collins worked with designer Emily Farnham to blend midcentury California with Scandinavian touches—a nod to her love for Danish design and lifestyle.

Danish Delight: Copenhagen Homes

Collins and McDowell's affinity for Scandinavia runs deep, leading them to purchase not one but two homes in Copenhagen in 2023. The couple first bought a five-room English-style terrace house in the family-friendly Østerbro neighborhood for around $1.4 million. Shortly after, they acquired the neighboring property for $1.3 million. Both purchases were made through their company, Case Study Copenhagen, as Denmark has stringent laws about foreign property ownership.

The homes offer Collins and McDowell a peaceful retreat from their bustling lives in Hollywood. Collins frequently praises Copenhagen’s vibrant yet serene atmosphere. In a 2023 interview, she described the Danish capital as “calm and bright,” appreciating its mix of city life with an intimate, community feel.

Conclusion

Lily Collins’ real estate portfolio reflects more than just her success—it speaks to her deep-rooted desire for balance, serenity, and connection to her European heritage. Whether nestled in the sun-soaked hills of Los Angeles or cycling through the calm streets of Copenhagen, Collins has crafted homes that resonate with both her personal and professional worlds. Her choices reflect a blend of Hollywood glamour and Scandinavian simplicity, a perfect metaphor for the star who balances life on both sides of the Atlantic.