Catherine Zeta-Jones' parents look set to move into the Mumbles, South Wales, mansion their famous daughter bought for them, bringing a bit of a stir to the quiet fishing village.
Dai and Pat Jones' current Swansea home has been put up for sale with a £425,000 price tag in anticipation of their transfer to the £1-million estate. The new property will also serve as home base for Catherine, her famous husband Michael Douglas and two children, Dylan and Carys, when the family is in town.
The three-storey mansion, one of a handful of exclusive homes on the cliffs, is said to have 15 windows – at least one of which reaches from the ground to the first floor – a gym, library, and top floor play room for the children.
The moving-in process hasn't been all smooth sailing. On Tuesday a neighbour won the right to continue running his business from his garage for the next two years, despite protests to the Swansea Council from a few locals, including a lawyer representing Ms Zeta-Jones' parents and the investment company.
And crowds of tourists have apparently been flocking to the spot the Douglases will soon call home. "It is mad… and it's only going to get worse," said a site spokesperson. "We've even had people up in a helicopter trying to sneak a look." And last week, two middle-aged German tourists were caught trying to climb over the fence, but were thwarted by builders before being able to get a peek at the residence.
Property investors, however, should be thrilled about the new neighbours, who are set to take up residence this spring. "There's bound to be a certain increase in house prices once Catherine's house is finished," said a local estate agent, adding: "It will definitely upgrade the area."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
