When Vanderpump Rules made its television debut in 2013, it centered around a young and glamorous group of friends who worked together at SUR, a trendy L.A. restaurant owned by former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills personality, Lisa Vanderpump.
Serving up Pumptinis with a side of sass must have been in the job description because the cast of VPR has always delivered high doses of drama.
Lying, cheating, and backstabbing have remained recurring themes as the show’s stars navigate through a never-ending cycle of breakups, makeups, and betrayal.
The ‘Scandoval’ of it all
In the realm of reality TV, major scandals often translate into skyrocketing ratings.
Despite being on the air for almost a decade, the Bravo series received unprecedented levels of public interest during its tenth season.
Audiences became both appalled and enthralled by Tom Sandoval’s brazen infidelity towards his longtime partner, Ariana Madix. Intrigue reached an apex when it was revealed that his months-long affair was with Rachel (formerly Raquel) Leviss, one of Ariana’s closest friends.
This scandal, cleverly referred to as ‘Scandoval,’ captured the attention of both loyal and fresh viewers alike.
It should go without saying that Ariana swiftly severed ties with Tom and has gone on to prove that there can be a bright side to bad breakups. In addition to finding a supportive new beau, Ariana competed on Dancing with the Stars and has even made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago.
As the dust has somewhat settled in the aftermath of ‘Scandoval,’ there is still one thing tethering Tom and Ariana together.
In 2019, the former couple jointly purchased a chic modern farmhouse in Valley Village for just over $2 million.
Tom and Ariana’s house has become a big topic of conversation (and a major point of contention) on the show — and in real-time since their acrimonious split.
While Ariana wants to move out and move on, Tom is refusing to relocate. With neither party able to come to an agreement, both of them are forced to live under the same roof until the sale of the home is sorted out.
To call it awkward would be the understatement of the century.
As season 11 of Vanderpump Rules is in full-swing, Tom Sandoval and Ariana’s Valley Village home continues to be the buzz of the town.
Although they don’t interact or even acknowledge each other’s existence, many of Tom and Ariana’s scenes are shot from inside the property.
While their living situation may be unconventional — and downright uncomfortable — there must be a reason why they’re hanging onto the house for dear life.
We had to see for ourselves what makes this property so special. Here we’ll explore the amenities of Tom and Ariana’s Valley Village hideaway, talk dollars and cents, and find out what makes it worth the challenge of cohabitating with your ex.
‘Vanderpump Rules’ cast real estate fiasco
The cast of Vanderpump Rules must have gotten a hefty bump in salary in 2019 because almost every couple on the show splurged on a brand new home in Los Angeles that year.
In an effort to leave their rundown one-bedroom West Hollywood apartments as a distant memory that will forever live on in reruns, married duo Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney scooped up a Cape Cod-style abode for $1.9 million, newlyweds Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartright acquired a $1.91 million home in San Fernando Valley, and longtime lovebirds Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix purchased their $2.75 million dream home in Valley Village.
Ironically, the joy of being newly minted homeowners was short-lived, as all three relationships ended in either divorce, disaster, or some combination of both.
While most of the former flames were able to divvy up assets and effectively sort through the remnants of a relationship gone wrong, Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix haven’t quite gotten there yet as they remain in a stalemate over who should take ownership of the lovely home.
Upon taking a closer look, it’s easy to see why someone would want to make the stylish farmhouse their forever home.
A closer look at Tom and Ariana’s house on the show
Built in 2018, Tom and Ariana’s shared residence is a generously sized 4,453-square-foot home that sits on a 7,851-square-foot lot.
Nestled in the ritzy Magnolia Estates neighborhood in Los Angeles’ Valley Village neighborhood (north of Studio City), the new construction home boasts 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, and ample curb appeal.
The modern farmhouse features a sweeping open-concept living space on the main floor, creating the perfect blend of opulence and quaint charm throughout.
The sizable chef’s kitchen was built for function as it contains an impressive lineup of three sinks, two dishwashers, and two ovens.
White marble countertops, a fancy Viking range cooktop and a butler’s pantry with a wine refrigerator add to the list of luxury amenities this home has to offer.
The dining room, great room, and first-floor office are nothing short of immaculate.
The first floor’s stone fireplace takes center stage as a focal point while other comforts include a home theater system with surround sound speakers, built-in cabinets, and a convenient mudroom. The staircase leads up to the second floor, where Tom and Ariana’s expansive primary bedroom can be found.
Even though living with an ex is anything but ideal, Ariana lucked out this time. She solely occupies the picturesque space which boasts a vaulted shiplap-covered ceiling, fireplace and his and hers walk-in closets.
But perhaps the biggest highlight of residing in the main suite is the adjoining master bath. We hope that the Vanderpump Rules vet can peacefully enjoy her very own oversized shower, luxurious soaking tub, dual sinks, and makeup desk without having to share.
The spacious property also comes equipped with 10-foot ceilings, light plank wood flooring, and an abundance of natural light. Ideal for entertaining in an indoor/outdoor setting, floor to ceiling sliding glass pocket doors seamlessly invite guests into the sun-filled backyard.
Plush greenery, a relaxing sundeck, and a generous fenced-in backyard are even more reasons to fall in love with Tom and Ariana’s co-owned habitat.
Who would ever want to part with their own pristine private pool with a cascading waterfall and an infinity-edge spa?
The dispute over ownership
Tom and Ariana’s Valley Village residence presents an attractive option for anyone seeking suburban living with proximity to the vibrant energy of Los Angeles.
Purchased for a little over $2 million in 2019, the property has undoubtedly appreciated in value since then. It’s no wonder Tom wants to stay, and he claims to have offered Ariana $3.1 million to buy her out and retain sole ownership.
However, Ariana adamantly opposes this proposal, advocating instead for listing the house on the market for the benefit of all involved. As co-owners with neither side willing to compromise, Ariana has resorted to legal action, suing Tom to force a sale and split the proceeds.
While the outcome of this saga and the fate of this memorable Vanderpump Rules house remain uncertain, there is hope that these reality stars come to some sort of resolution for the sake of their sanity.
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