mental_floss magazine
SUBSCRIBE >
GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS >
DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS >
subscriber services >
Who says the real estate market is cooling off? Just this week in Beverly Hills (predictably, perhaps), the highest asking price ever was set for a home newly on the market — formerly the LA residence of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst (that’s right, Citizen Kane himself). Boasting 29 bedrooms, three swimming pools, tennis courts, its own movie theater and a nightclub, the six acre estate is going for $165 million. It joins the upper echelon of an elite club of uber-expensive homes around the world, including Saudi Arabian Prince Bandar’s ranch compound in Aspen, going for $135 million (no takers yet).
Formerly in first place is the never-lived-in English estate Updown Court ($139 million), just down the street from Windsor Castle and featuring such amenities as a heated marble driveway and an indoor bowling alley. (These all sound like great locations for a reenactment of The Shining, if you ask me.)
At number four, going for a mere $125 million, is Donald Trump’s latest investment. It’s a ritzy Palm Beach, Florida palace whimsically named “Maison de L’Amitie,” and in addition to the usual luxuries (conservatory, 100-foot swimming pool), claims an astounding 475 feet of private beachfront.
Easily the world’s most expensive apartment, Manhattan’s Pierre Hotel penthouse has 20-foot-high French doors, a ballroom, a wine cellar, a black marble staircase and a paneled library. (My apartment has a patio …) Asking price: $70 mil.
Comments (12)
Comment
crazy!
posted by Mangesh on 7-11-2007 at 9:51 am
I put a bid in on that Hollywood home. They had an article about it in our Business section yesterday and I couldn’t resist. The 2 screening rooms (one with Dolby sound, I think) was the topper.
I hope they accept $800/month.
Keep your fingers crossed!
posted by WizardBoy on 7-11-2007 at 10:23 am
So, with 29 bedrooms could we get 29 sets of folks and put in a coop bid? 29 x 800 is 23,200/mo – maybe they’d go for that. Of course we might have to wait a few months for when they’re getting worried about time on the market.
posted by Leslie on 7-11-2007 at 10:54 am
Actually, I believe Bandar’s ranch is outside Aspen, not in Montana. Other than that, its all correct.
posted by LinuXtreme on 7-11-2007 at 11:16 am
30 year loan @ 5.25% interest gives a monthly payment of $118,584.84 per month.
Split 29 ways, that’s $4,089.13 per person each month.
Not including taxes, insurance and utilities of course.
Hope it has free HBO.
posted by Ed Hands on 7-11-2007 at 11:25 am
Paying $4,089.13 a month I’m going to go get my own $1.4million house!
posted by Cris on 7-11-2007 at 11:51 am
I’m in if someone can front me $4,089.13… and I’m sorry but I will NOT sign in if HBO isn’t free!
posted by Cris on 7-11-2007 at 11:56 am
LinuX — you’re right, it’s in Aspen!
Ed and Leslie — this sounds like a great idea for a sitcom. 29 is Enough?
posted by Ransom on 7-11-2007 at 12:10 pm
OH! I likie the French penthouse, it has a library! (yes, call me a nerd…)
posted by Sno on 7-11-2007 at 12:18 pm
Maybe the number of people involved should be increased to 365. That would bring the monthly payment down to a reasonable $324.89/ month. We would each get to enjoy the the cottage for 1 glorious day! We might have to have a draft to determine your lucky day; otherwise, I will have to choose one of the summer days since I am a teacher.
posted by Jeremy G on 7-11-2007 at 1:47 pm
Maybe Paris, Nicole, Brittany and some other rehab-rejects can buy it, knock the buildings down, and bring in a trailer park…
There’s a balance (of sorts) there.
posted by Doc on 7-12-2007 at 8:54 am
you should check out the Mushroom house along the coast of Southern California. It’s got a bowling alley and a place to park a heck of a lot of cars.
posted by kzafran on 9-25-2008 at 8:01 am