Jennifer Aniston to Pay $21 Million for New Bel-Air Home

Reports abound that Jennifer Aniston is the name attached to the latest high-profile real estate purchase in Bel-Air, California; purchase price is $21 million. The news has sent more than a few down personal memory lanes to those somewhat halcyon days of 2005 when property prices had yet to decline (steeply) and the automotive and banking industries had yet to imagine (perhaps) their needing huge public bailouts in just a few years’ time. Clearly, those days, apart from the ongoing Iraq and Afghanistan wars, deciding on a black Team Aniston or red Team Jolie tee seemed like the height of our social pickles.

But now it’s 2012, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have six children together, we know the names of the first African-American First Family, and our beloved troops in Iraq (at least) have been called to return home. Oh yes, and Jenifer Aniston is denying pregnancy rumors alongside her current boyfriend, Justin Theroux, with whom, to go by a Wall Street Journal headline, the distinguished comedienne is jointly buying the splashy Bel-Air residence last owned by Robert Maguire, a real estate bigwig.

The new home totals 8,500 square feet and comes with four bedrooms, seven and a half bathrooms, about three acres of land, a handsome vineyard and requisite wine cellar, and a comfy guest house. There’s also, of course, a nicely appointed pool and the beautiful vistas that money makes so much easier to enjoy. Her illustrious (in some circles) new neighbors will include Hugh Hefner, Nicholas Cage, and Lauren Bacall.

The star’s freshest addition to her storied real estate portfolio first went on sale in 2008. Aniston, who will forever be remembered as Rachel from “Friends,” was represented by Jade Mills from Coldwell Banker of Beverly Hills. Mills was also the woman who represented Avril Lavigne in the successful sale of her big pad to Clippers point guard Chris Paul last week.