Alicia Keys' real residence which inspires Iron Man's made-up mansion

The Razor House – located in the coastal bluffs of San Diego’s La Jolla Farms neighbourhood – is home to music powerhouse couple Alicia Keys and Swiss Beatz after they had purchased the property in 2019 at a price of US$20.8 million (RM86.21 million).

The Razor House is more than just a roof over your head. It is a modernist architectural marvel designed by Wallace E Cunningham with a strong emphasis on concrete, glass and stainless steel throughout, not only for its aestheticism but functionality as well.

You might be thinking the edifice has been so named because of the sharp edges in its design, but in fact, they have been so designed to pay tribute to the hiking Razor Trail which is located nearby.

The construction, which started in 2007, took six years to complete as it went through a financial complication period mid-way when its former owner filed for bankruptcy.

Comprising three storeys, the mansion boasts 11,541 sq ft of space, divided into the main house and a detached guest house.

The 10,240 sq ft of the main house feature four bedrooms, with two of them being master suites, along with six baths, two steam and shower rooms, gym, rooftop spa and built-in indoor BBQ. The master suite baths include showers, freestanding tubs and closets.

Meanwhile, the two-storey 1,301 sq ft detached guest house with a separate entrance point include two bedrooms and two baths.

Overall, the house is equipped with a kitchen that has been furnished with Gaggenau, Miele, Subzero and Hoshizaki appliances, a theatre room, a 5,100-cubic-feet-infinity swimming pool that faces the sea and a computer room where there is an integrated and automated system to power the house.

Among its outstanding features is a Willy Wonka-like glass elevator that can transport one from the subterranean garage that can house four cars, all the way to the rooftop. 

While every necessary amenity has been incorporated into the magnificent residence, what makes Razor House unique is the integration of the panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean in every room through floor-to-ceiling glass walls.  

To enjoy the outdoors within the security of the home, there is a rooftop terrace and an open courtyard in the middle of the structure.

La Jolla, which means “the jewel”, is famed for its scenic coastline beaches. The Razor House benefits from a special access to the private Black’s Beach which only opens to the residents of La Jolla Farms.

Prior to being Keys’ residence, some commercial filming has been done in the house, including the Visa Black Card and Calvin Klein commercials.

On top of that, the house has also been linked to pop culture. For Marvel series enthusiasts, the Razor House has been said to inspire the computer-generated imagery of The Stark Mansion as there is a striking resemblance. Though Iron Man’s house is fictional, there’s no denying some of the scenes have taken place in the Razor House.

Before Keys landed the buy at US$20.8 million, the iconic abode was initially listed at US$45 million and then went through a series of price cuts to US$30 million and US$24.995 million. 

This story first appeared in the EdgeProp.my E-weekly on Oct 29, 2021. You can access back issues here.

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