After nearly two decades of calling it home, actor Katherine Heigl is ready to part with the Utah mountain estate where she and her husband, musician Josh Kelley, built their family life. The sprawling 25-acre property in Oakley, about 15 miles from Park City, has been listed for $10.6 million, marking the end of an era for the couple as they prepare to move into a smaller nearby home. This story is based on an exclusive report by The Wall Street Journal, featuring interviews with Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley.
A home built for family life
The five-bedroom residence spans roughly 8,000 square feet and was custom built in 2008 after Heigl purchased the land for $1 million in 2007, the same year she married Kelley. Despite the home’s size and amenities, the decision to sell comes as the couple embrace a new stage of life. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Heigl admitted that letting go of the property was emotionally challenging.“It’s been very hard to decide to let it go. I’m a real sort-of homebody and creature of habit,” Heigl told The Wall Street Journal. She explained that with their children growing older, the couple began reconsidering how much space they would eventually need. Reflecting on the future, she told The Wall Street Journal, “When they’re all gone, all slaying their own dragons and living their lives, it’s just you and me in this giant house on this giant land.”Instead of leaving the area altogether, the family plans to relocate to a blue Victorian farmhouse nearby that they purchased about a year ago and are restoring. The move allows them to remain in the community they have come to love while transitioning to a home better suited to their next chapter.
Image Credit: Instagram/ @katherineheigl
Why Utah became home
While the actor was living in Los Angeles at the time, she had long been captivated by Utah’s scenic landscapes, having first discovered the state while filming the Disney Channel movie Wish Upon a Star as a teenager. In 2012, Heigl and Kelley made Utah their permanent home, choosing a quieter life away from Hollywood. The estate became the place where they raised their three children and created a lifestyle centred on family, creativity and the outdoors. Over the years, the property evolved alongside them, with spaces designed to reflect their hobbies and interests.
A home shaped by creativity
Image Credit: Instagram/ @paulbensonev
The mountain estate itself is filled with personalised features that showcase the couple’s creative pursuits. A detached building on the property served as Heigl’s art studio before she established a larger workspace at a nearby ranch. Inside the home, one wall of the private theatre has been transformed into a floor-to-ceiling display for her extensive yarn collection, reflecting her passion for knitting and fibre arts.Looking back on those customisations, Heigl told The Wall Street Journal, “That was the fun part of getting older, growing up, and understanding who you are.”Kelley also left his own creative imprint on the property through a distinctive “listening shack” built from reclaimed 200-year-old oak. Restored by the musician, the cosy structure became a favourite gathering place for music and conversation.“I brought my record collection and my turntable out there, and it slowly evolved into a place where we have cocktails and listen to great music,” Kelley told The Wall Street Journal.
More than a luxury property
Image Credit: Instagram/ @joshbkelley
Beyond its artistic touches, the estate offers luxury amenities including a heated swimming pool, expansive outdoor terraces and sweeping mountain views that complement its rustic architecture. The secluded setting combines privacy with easy access to Park City’s renowned recreation and dining, making it a rare offering in Utah’s luxury real estate market.Heigl rose to international fame for her Emmy-winning role as Dr. Izzie Stevens on Grey’s Anatomy and later starred in films including Knocked Up and 27 Dresses. In recent years, she has focused on balancing acting with family life, animal welfare initiatives and her pet food company, while Kelley has continued his music career.Although the property is now on the market, its significance extends well beyond its price tag. For Heigl and Kelley, the home represents years of family milestones, creative expression and a lifestyle built around nature. Their move is not about leaving Utah behind but about embracing a home that better reflects the next phase of their lives while remaining close to the place they have cherished for years.
