Sly Stallone is switching coasts and taking up a more "modest" way of life.

The action hero and his wife, model Jennifer Flavin, have purchased a newly built house in Beverly Hills for about $10 million, the Los Angeles Times reported.

This is not near the pumped-up figure of $27.5 million the couple is asking for their Miami home. Stallone bought his previous home for about two-thirds that much and then renovated his way to a nice profit.

Much to the chagrin of his Miami neighbors, Orient-Express hotels has offered almost $25 million to buy the Miami museum and turn it into a villa-style hotel. That offer is on hold pending zoning decisions.

Stallone is said to have been attracted to his new mansion because of its privacy and seclusion. These are two things the star craves, even going so far as to block off public walking trails and waterways to keep his Miami neighbors at what he considered to be a respectable distance from his palace.

His new home is in the -- what else? -- Italian villa style. The 16,000 square-foot house sits on 3 ½ acres and has views of the city. Stallone has ensured he will remain out of the public eye -- the driveway is 500 feet long, and the entire estate is gated.

The previous owners were asking a little less than $13 million for the house, which has six bedrooms and nine bathrooms. But Sly, man of words he is, bargained down the price.

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Published: December 9, 1998

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