Inside the Star-Studded Tarzana Modern Farmhouse: Zerina Akers Lists Former Winnie Harlow Estate for $4.5 Million

By Real Estate & Celebrity Culture Desk
Published: September 2026

Main Facts

The celebrity real estate market in Los Angeles’s San Fernando Valley is experiencing a high-profile turnover once again. A chic, contemporary modern farmhouse located in the affluent enclave of Tarzana—previously owned by global supermodel and entrepreneur Winnie Harlow and subsequently purchased by Emmy Award-winning celebrity stylist Zerina Akers—has officially returned to the market. Listed at $4.5 million, the property is being represented by Ciara Short of The Beverly Hills Estates.

Spanning roughly 4,800 square feet of meticulously designed living space, the two-story residence sits securely behind private gates on a third-acre parcel just south of Ventura Boulevard. Built from the ground up in 2020, the home embodies California modern luxury, pairing classic architectural farmhouse elements—such as crisp white wood siding and bold black trim—with high-tech smart-home automation, rich oak hardwood flooring, intricate crown molding, and bespoke designer lighting fixtures throughout.

The home offers a functional yet opulent layout featuring five bedrooms and six bathrooms. Highlights of the interior include a dramatic formal living and dining area underneath a coffered ceiling, a state-of-the-art chef’s kitchen equipped with premium Thermador appliances, a fireside family room complete with a custom wet bar and wine cellar, and an extravagant primary retreat featuring a dedicated boutique-style glam room. Outside, the hedged and completely private backyard functions as a resort-style oasis, featuring a sparkling swimming pool with a Baja shelf, a spillover spa, multiple lounge patios, an outdoor barbecue center, and a cozy fire pit.

Chronology of Ownership and Real Estate Timeline

The narrative of this Tarzana estate reads like a Hollywood transfer of power, moving seamlessly from the upper echelons of the modeling world to the pinnacle of high-fashion styling.

• 2020: The custom modern farmhouse is newly constructed on a third-acre lot south of Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana, establishing itself as a prime piece of San Fernando Valley luxury real estate.
• May 2024: Winnie Harlow—famed America’s Next Top Model alumna, founder of Cay Skin, and global fashion icon—decides to part ways with the property. Announcing a "long-distance move" and the dawn of a new chapter to her millions of Instagram followers, Harlow lists and sells the home.
• May 2024 (The Sale): Zerina Akers steps in as the buyer. Best known as Beyoncé’s primary personal stylist and for her groundbreaking, Emmy-winning costume design on the 2020 visual album Black Is King, Akers acquires the turnkey residence for just over $3.6 million. This represented a roughly $300,000 premium over what Harlow had originally paid for the newly built structure.
• Late 2024 – Early 2026: Following her acquisition, Akers utilizes the property strategically. Rather than moving in full-time immediately, she places the residence on the luxury lease market, where it commands an impressive rental income of up to $30,000 per month, attracting high-profile temporary tenants looking for privacy and upscale amenities in the Valley.
• September 2026: Just over two years after acquiring the home, Akers officially lists the property back on the open market with an asking price of $4.5 million, managed by Ciara Short of The Beverly Hills Estates.

Supporting Data & Architectural Breakdown

To fully understand the $4.5 million valuation, one must examine the precise architectural craftsmanship, amenities, and financial metrics associated with 5162 Otis Avenue.

Property Specifications

• Address: 5162 Otis Avenue, Tarzana, CA 91356
• Location: South of Ventura Boulevard, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles
• Property Type: Modern Farmhouse / Single-Family Residence
• Year Built: 2020
• Living Space: Approximately 4,800 square feet
• Lot Size: Approximately 0.33 acres (one-third of an acre)
• Bedrooms: 5
• Bathrooms: 6 (5 full, 1 half)
• Garage: Attached 2-car garage with extended private motor court

Interior Architecture & Design Features

Visitors are greeted by a long, private walkway flanked by a manicured front lawn leading to a covered portico entryway. A striking black front door opens directly into a grand living and dining space defined by classic coffered ceilings and a sleek, linear fireplace flanked by tailored, striped drapery.

The heart of the home flows naturally into a family room anchored by a second fireplace, custom wet bar, and temperature-controlled wine storage. The adjoining eat-in kitchen caters to culinary enthusiasts with sprawling stone countertops, a full suite of high-end Thermador appliances, custom cabinetry, and an intimate breakfast nook wrapped in built-in bench seating.

Upstairs, accessible via a striking wrought-iron-railed staircase, the luxurious primary suite serves as a private sanctuary. It features its own fireplace, a private outdoor balcony overlooking the grounds, and an opulent stone-clad en-suite bathroom equipped with a frameless steam shower and a deep soaking tub. Notably, the primary suite features two distinct, boutique-style walk-in closets: one lined with extensive built-ins for wardrobe organization, and the other fully customized as a professional glam and makeup room—a fitting feature for a high-profile stylist like Akers. All remaining secondary bedrooms feature their own private en-suite bathrooms.

Exterior & Grounds

The property is heavily secured with perimeter fencing and mature, privacy-enhancing hedges. The backyard layout is optimized for Southern California indoor-outdoor entertaining, highlighted by a custom swimming pool complete with a shallow Baja shelf and a raised, spilling spa. Surrounding the water features are multiple stone-paved lounge patios, an outdoor kitchen and barbecue setup, and an integrated fire pit area designed for cool Valley evenings.

Official Responses and Market Perspectives

While neither Winnie Harlow nor Zerina Akers has issued lengthy public press releases regarding their personal real estate transactions, the listing team has been vocal about the property’s unique positioning in the current Los Angeles housing market.

Ciara Short of The Beverly Hills Estates, who holds the exclusive listing, emphasizes the rare blend of celebrity pedigree and turnkey readiness that the home offers prospective buyers. In statements regarding the listing, representatives for the brokerage note that properties south of Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana continue to experience robust demand from high-net-worth individuals, entertainment executives, and creatives seeking refuge from the hustle of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills while maintaining effortless access to the Westside via the Sepulveda Pass.

Furthermore, real estate analysts point out that Akers’s decision to list the home at $4.5 million reflects both the general appreciation of custom-built modern farmhouses in the San Fernando Valley and the value added by the property’s high-end rental history. Earning up to $30,000 monthly proved that the house holds immense appeal for affluent temporary residents, validating its high-end investment potential.

Implications for the Tarzana and Celebrity Real Estate Markets

The re-listing of the Akers-Harlow estate carries broader implications for the micro-market of Tarzana and the broader landscape of celebrity-owned Los Angeles real estate.

1. The Rise of Tarzana as a Haven for Young Creatives and A-Listers

Traditionally overshadowed by neighbors like Encino, Sherman Oaks, and Calabasas, Tarzana has undergone a massive real estate renaissance over the last decade. The demolition of older ranch-style homes in favor of sprawling, custom modern farmhouses has transformed the neighborhood into a magnet for younger celebrities, athletes, and top-tier stylists who want maximum square footage, modern security, and architectural sophistication without the hyper-inflated price tags of prime Beverly Hills or Bel-Air.

2. High-End Rental Viability as a Holding Strategy

Akers’s use of the property as a luxury rental commanding $30,000 a month highlights a growing trend among celebrity homeowners. When buying properties in secondary luxury nodes like the San Fernando Valley, high-profile owners are increasingly leveraging short- to medium-term corporate and celebrity rentals to offset holding costs, property taxes, and maintenance fees while waiting for peak market conditions to capitalize on appreciation.

3. Proof of Concept for Custom Upgrades

Having passed through the hands of two distinct style icons—Winnie Harlow, whose minimalist yet glamorous aesthetic defined the home’s initial vibe, and Zerina Akers, whose editorial eye further polished its high-fashion utility (such as the dedicated glam room)—the house carries an intangible "cool factor." In the luxury sector, homes touched by prominent creative directors and tastemakers frequently command a psychological premium among buyers looking for a residence with built-in cultural cachet.

As the property searches for its next notable owner, 5162 Otis Avenue stands as a testament to modern Valley luxury, architectural evolution, and the fast-paced nature of celebrity real estate in Los Angeles.