Loved up

Loved up

Lovebirds Katy Perry & Russell Brand are preparing to start married life with homes on either side of the U.S. after adding a New York residence to their growing property portfolio.

The I Kissed A Girl hitmaker and British funnyman Brand reportedly handed over $3.5 million (£2.2 million) for a mansion in Los Angeles earlier this year and now they are setting up home in New York too.

According to the New York Post, Brand and Perry are calling their new $2.7 million (£1.8 million) condominium in Manhattan's Tribeca district a "crash pad" to minimise Big Apple income taxes.

The couple is due to exchange vows later this year, although details about the stars' wedding plans have yet to emerge.