Infomercial Honcho Pays $25M for Brentwood Park Estate

Marketer Ben Van de Bunt bought a Brentwood Park mansion for $25 million from investor Andrew Hauptman and wife Ellen Bronfman Hauptman, heiress to the Seagram beverage fortune, according to property records.

The price for the Brentwood Park home, located at 221 South Cliffwood Avenue, came in 18 percent lower than the original ask, which was about $30 million. Still, the Hauptmans made money on the deal. They paid $16 million for the 12,000-square-foot mansion in 2017.

The final sale price amounts to around $2,041 per square foot.

It was unclear which agent represented the buyer for 221 South Cliffwood. Representing the sellers was Kurt Rappaport, co-founder of Westside Estate Agency.

Van de Bunt formerly helmed direct marketing and infomercial powerhouse Guthy-Renker in El Segundo. He also serves on boards for companies such as Solar City and the law firm Houlihan Lokey.

The Hauptmans recently moved to a $28 million home in the Hollywood Hills. Andrew Hauptman, a former owner of the Chicago Fire soccer team, is the founder of Andell Holdings, a private equity firm that deals a lot in real estate. Andell also acts as a family office for the couple, and Ellen Bronfman Hauptman is co-chair of the firm.

Located on less than half an acre, 221 South Cliffwood includes amenities such as a cinema, a gym, a temperature-controlled wine cellar and a game room with a wet bar. On the home’s grounds, visitors can find a pool, a spa, built-in barbecue and an open air entertaining area with a fireplace.

Recent trades in the neighborhood include the $17 million sale in June of comedian James Corden’s home at 300 North Cliffwood Avenue, which is located about a half mile away. Van de Bunt’s new home also is a short drive away from a Brentwood Park estate that Formula One racing heiress Petra Ecclestone bought for $30 million earlier this year.